destitute of sensibility, and was deeply affected by this event:
I will own, however, that my grief was lessened by reflecting on
the consequences of her death, with regard to my own condition. I
had been ever taught to consider myself as her heir, and her death,
therefore, would free me from certain restraints.

My aunt had a female servant, who had lived with her for
twenty years: she was married, but her husband, who was an
artizan, lived apart from her: I had no reason to suspect the
woman's sincerity and disinterestedness; but my aunt was no sooner
consigned to the grave than a will was produced, in which Dorothy
was named her sole and universal heir.

It was in vain to urge my expectations and my claims . . . .
the instrument was legibly and legally drawn up . . . . Dorothy
was exasperated by my opposition and surmises, and vigorously
enforced her title. In a week after the decease of my kinswoman,
I was obliged to seek a new dwelling. As all my property consisted
in my cloths and my papers, this was easily done.

My condition was now calamitous and forlorn. Confiding in the
acquisition of my aunt's patrimony, I had made no other provision
for the future; I hated manual labour, or any task of which the
object was gain. To be guided in my choice of occupations by any
motive but the pleasure which the occupation was qualified to
produce, was intolerable to my proud, indolent, and restive temper.

This resource was now cut off; the means of immediate
subsistence were denied me: If I had determined to acquire the
knowledge of some lucrative art, the acquisition would demand time,