had given me Robinson Crusoe3 of 487a competent share of learning, as far as house-educationand a country free school generally go, and designed mefor the law; but I would be satisfied with nothing butgoing to sea; and my inclination to this led me so stronglyagainst the will, nay, the commands of my father, andagainst all the entreaties and persuasions of my mother andother friends, that there seemed to be something fatal inthat propensity of nature, tending directly to the life ofmisery which was to befall me.