4 DESCARTES. 



selves to censure. But as this Tract is put forth 

 merely as a history, or, if you will, as a tale, in 

 which, amid some examples worthy of imitation, 

 there will be found, perhaps, as many more which 

 it were advisable not to follow, I hope it will prove 

 useful to some without being hurtful to any, and 

 that my openness will find some favour with all. 



From my childhood, I have been familiar with 

 letters ; and as I was given to believe that by their 

 help a clear and certain knowledge of all that is use- 

 ful in life might be acquired, I was ardently desirous 

 of instruction. But as soon as I had finished the 

 entire course of study, at the close of which it is 

 customary to be admitted into the order of the 

 learned, I completely changed my opinion. For I 

 found myself involved in so many doubts and 

 errors, that I was convinced I had advanced no 

 farther in all my attempts at learning, than the dis- 

 covery at every turn of my own ignorance. And 

 yet I was studying in one of the most celebrated 

 Schools in Europe, in which I thought there must 

 be learned men, if such were anywhere to be found. 

 I had been taught all that others learned there ; and 

 not contented with the sciences actually taught us, 

 I had, in addition, read all the books that had fallen 

 into my hands, treating of such branches as are 

 esteemed the most curious and rare. I knew the 

 judgment which others had formed of me; and I did 

 not find that I was considered inferior to my fel- 

 lows, although there were among them some who 

 were already marked out to fill the places of our 

 instructors. And, in fine, our age appeared to me 



