He died while I was very young; leaving to my mother and to me just enough to live on, in the remote part of the island in which our little property was situated.

My mother was an Englishwoman.

Her delicate health made it necessary for her to leave me, for many hours of the day, under the care of our household slaves.

I can never forget their kindness to me; but, unfortunately, their ignorance equaled their kindness.

If we had been rich enough to send to France or England for a competent governess we might have done very well.