s the other, but
I accepted a proposition to fill up the time till the arrangements for
the other post had been completed, by going down to these estates of
Herr Von Voldersdorf, and bringing into order, according to a certain
specified plan, the heavy accounts of his steward, which were at this
time much in arrear. I set off for the Oberpfalz in the first days of
1804. But I was soon called away to Mecklenburg to the situation at
Gross-Milchow which I had definitively chosen, and in the raw,
frightfully severe winter-time of February I journeyed thither by the
mail-coach. Yet, short as had been my stay in the Oberpfalz, and
continual and uninterrupted as had been my labour in order that I might
get through the work I had undertaken, the time I spent in Bavaria
yielded me much that was instructive. The men, ingenuous, lively young
fellows from Saxony and Prussia, 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 facilit