“i have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. as a child i was taught what was right, but i was not taught to correct my temper. i was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), i was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. such i was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such i might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest elizabeth! what do i not owe you! you taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. […]”