I aimed at collecting all that seemed worthy to be known, all that was necessary for cultured men in general, and for myself in my own calling in particular; and this rich treasure was to be brought out under favourable circumstances, or whenever need was, from its storehouse.  Also I desired to acquire a general idea of those subjects which the craving for knowledge, growing ever more and more sharp within my soul, was always urging me thoroughly to work through over again.  I felt happy in my work; and I had already been chained to my task for several days, from early morning till late at night, in my little distant chamber with its iron-barred windows, when my father suddenly and unexpectedly walked into the room.  He looked over what I had done, and remarked the quantity of paper used over it, which indeed was not small.  Upon this cursory inspection he held my work for a foolish waste of time and paper; and it would have been all over with my labour of love for that time, if my brother (Christoph), who had so often stood as protector by my side, had not just then been on a visit with us.  He had become the minister of a place which lay a few hours’ journey from Oberweissbach, and at this moment was staying with my parents.  My father at once told him of what he considered my useless, if not indeed injurious occupation; but my brother saw it differently.  I ventured, therefore, to continue, with the silent permission of my father.  And indeed the work proved of actual service to me, for it brought a certain order, breadth, and firmness into my ideas which had the most beneficial effect upon me.

My father now strove to procure me a settled position in my chosen calling; or at all events to provide some active work which would bring me into nearer connection with it.  And for this purpose a fortunate opportunity soon offered.  Some of my father’s relatives had property in the district of Hildburghausen, managed by a steward.  The friendly footing on which my father stood with these relatives permitted me to study practical farming under this steward.  There I took part in all the ordinary farming occupations.  These, however, did not attract me greatly, and I ought to have at once discovered what an unsuitable career I had chosen, if I had but understood my own nature.

The thing that most painfully occupied my mind at this time was the absence of cordial understanding between me and my father.  At the same time I could not help esteeming and honouring him.  Notwithstanding his advanced age he was still as strong and as healthy in body as in mind, penetrating in speech and counsel, vigorous in fulfilment and actual work, earnest, nay, hard, in address.  He had a firm, strong will, and at the same time was filled with noble, self-sacrificing endeavour.  He never shirked skirmish nor battle in the cause of what he deemed the better part; he carried his pen into action, as a soldier carries his sword, for the true, the good, and the right.