My desire for information was, however, too strong to be turned aside and often have I been sent away from a bookstall when the owner became offended… - Francis Place

I can imagine nothing except being a footman or common soldier as more degrading than being either a barber or a tailor.

It may be supposed that I led a miserable life but I did not I was very far indeed from being miserable at this time when my wife came home at night, we had always something to talk about, we were pleased to see each other, our reliance on each other was great indeed, we were poor, but we were young, active cheerful and although my wife at times doubted that we would get on in the world, I had no such misgivings.

I was sometimes brought to a standstill, and at times almost despaired of making further progress... I knew no one of whom I could ask a question or receive any kind of instruction, and the subject was therefore at times very painful.