My pre-literary career was three-fold: I was a student for eight years,
during two a village doctor, and for six more a baker.
These having elapsed, being already close upon thirty, I began to write.
My new course was a wise one. It was the best thing that I could have
done; anything else would have annoyed me more and have pleased me less.
I have enjoyed writing, and I have made some money, although not much,
yet it has been sufficient to enable me to travel, which otherwise I
should not have been able to do.
The first considerable sum which I received was upon the publication of
my novel _The Mayorazgo of Labraz_. Henrich of Barcelona paid me
two thousand pesetas for it. I invested the two thousand pesetas in a
speculation upon the Bourse, and they disappeared in two weeks.
The money which I have received for my other books, I have employed to
better purpose.