The Pursuit of Knowledge

What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world,

was now within my grasp. Not that, like a magic scene, it all opened upon

me at once: the information I had obtained was of a nature rather to direct my endeavours

so soon as I should point them towards the object of my search, than to exhibit

that object already accomplished. I was like the Arabian who had been buried with the dead,

and found a passage to life aided only by one glimmering, and seemingly ineffectual light.

I see by your eagerness, and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend,

that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted; that cannot be.