}
    Iterator<E> iterator = iterable.iterator();
    if (!iterator.hasNext()) {
      return Optional.absent();
    }

    /*
     * TODO(kevinb): consider whether this "optimization" is worthwhile. Users with SortedSets tend
     * to know they are SortedSets and probably would not call this method.
     */
    if (iterable instanceof SortedSet) {

    }
    Iterator<E> iterator = iterable.iterator();
    if (!iterator.hasNext()) {
      return Optional.absent();
    }

    /*
     * TODO(kevinb): consider whether this "optimization" is worthwhile. Users with SortedSets tend
     * to know they are SortedSets and probably would not call this method.
     */
    if (iterable instanceof SortedSet) {