received me very kindly, and the variety of their different services and their readiness to talk about them, gave me a good insight into the inner relationship between the landed aristocracy and their retainers.  In recalling these circumstances I thankfully acknowledge how my ever-tender loving destiny took pains kindly to prepare me for each vocation next to come.  I had never before had the opportunity to see the mode of keeping accounts used on a great estate, to say nothing of keeping them myself, and here I had this very work to do, and that after a plan both ample and clear, in which every particular, down to the single details, was carefully provided for.  This was of the greatest service to me.  Precisely the conduct of such well-ordered accounts was to be my work later on; therefore, having the general plan I have referred to firmly established in my mind, and being well practised in its operation, I set off well prepared for my new sphere of work.  Thanks to this, I was able to satisfy most completely not only my new employer, but also his lady, who used to examine everything minutely with severe scrutiny.

The surroundings of Herr Von Dewitz’s estate were uncommonly pretty for that part of the country.  Lakes and hills and the fresh foliage of trees abounded, and what Nature had perhaps overlooked here and there Art had made good.  My good fortune has always led me amongst pretty natural scenery.  I have ever thankfully enjoyed what Nature has spread before my eyes, and she has always been in true motherly unity with me.  As soon as I had gained some facility in it my new work became simple, ran its regular course which was repeated week by week, and gave me time to think about my own improvement.

However, my engagement on this estate was, after all, but a short one.  The bent of my life and disposition was already taken.  A star had arisen within my mind which I was impelled to follow.  On this account I could regard my employment at this time only as a sheet anchor, to be let go as soon as an opportunity offered itself to resume my vocation.  This opportunity was not long in making its appearance.

My uncle (Hoffmann), who, like my brother, bore me always lovingly in his thoughts, had lately died.  Even on his deathbed he thought of me, and charged my brother to do all he could to find me some settled occupation for life, and at any rate to prevent me from leaving the post I held at the moment before I had some reasonable prospect of a secure and better engagement elsewhere.  Providence willed it otherwise.  His death, through the small inheritance which thereby came to me, gave me the means of fulfilling the dearest wish of my heart.  So wonderfully does God direct the fate of men.