 She and her circle, comprising educated members of the Catholic clergy, introduced Rousseau to the world of letters and ideas.Rousseau had been an indifferent student, but during his 20s, which were marked by long bouts of hypochondria, he applied himself in earnest to the study of philosophy, mathematics, and music.At 25, he came into a small inheritance from his mother and used a portion of it to repay De Warens for her financial support of him.