THE NOVITIATE. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. THE following narrative is an autobiography; with this distinction, that it is only the history of one year of my life-only twelve months: but a year of peculiar interest in a man's life, it must be allowed. During that time of trial, what opportunities of self-examination have I not had? In it I lived over again the past-I sought to anticipate the future. Separated from the world, from kindred, and friends--from all the ordinary pursuits and objects of life-from their anxieties, hopes, and fears—I gazed upon the world as a dispassionate observer, who was to mix in its concerns, perhaps take an active part in its management, without entertaining a thought of self, or having any individual interest to forward. I was trained in spirit as men are trained in body who have to struggle desperately for mastery, or to per B |