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and Frau Hauser, each with a well-grown promising boy, together with the Poor Man and several others who were travelling only part of the way. The wind was contrary. But with stout efforts we sped along. What a joy and delight it was to the poor pilgrim on earth to ride on the mirror-bright lake in such pleasant weather and in such congenial company, with wonderful prospects on all sides, the two charming shores of the lake, the mountains gilded by the rising sun, and the heights round about like an amphitheatre - the beautiful countryside on both sides and dear Wädenschweil which was still in sight until we reached Rapperschweil - on the shores of the lake large crowds of churchgoers of both sexes, dressed in their best, all mingling together in many colours as they made their pilgrimage - the pleasant tone of the bells on all sides calling people to church - the charming siren - song of my dear lovely travelling companions and the plashing of the softly dancing wavelets - to be able to take all this to one's receptive soul sitting comfortably on soft cushions - truly a foretaste of Paradise! He could find no words to express his feelings. The time taken to reach Schmerikon seemed to him only a few moments. There the company landed and ate their midday meal. Then the lovely companions took a chaise as far as the Hummelwald. Then everyone strolled onwards hand in hand to his intended goal.There was general happiness at seeing once more his homeland of Toggenburg and his birthplace at Wattwil. Who would have believed it, to prefer the sight of the rough old Toggenburg to beautiful Wädenschweil and the charming countryside around the lovely Lake of Zürich! Yes, his homeland would have its attractions too, even if it were Siberia. Moreover, the Toggenburg is hardly so rough a country. It has its own agreeable features as all countries do, and Wattwil has a pleasant and beautiful situation in the midst of it. The poor pilgrim on earth and his dear travelling companions, except the boys, were born in Wattwil. So 'tis only right that the sight of the beautiful place where they were born, baptised and reared, should please them. And it is a very pleasant valley, with the river Thur snaking through it, as you see it to best advantage looking down from the Hummelwald. On both sides of the valley there are mountains gradually rising, mostly grassy meadows and pastures, with patches of timber; houses and barns are thickly scattered, with plenty of people in them. Now his beloved friends wandered hand in hand in the twilight, very contentedly, towards their dwelling in the little town of Lichtensteig, and the Poor Man also sought his nest, where he was once again made welcome and told a faithful tale of his agreeable adventures. His little tribe looked forward to the beautiful apples from Wädenschweil, which had been left in Schmerikon to be brought over on the following day by a carrier, and they were well received and tasted most wonderful. The beloved friends had promised him a visit, and paid it, which made everyone happy." [Voellmy, v 3 pp 119-131]
[...] In December Bräker makes his usual summary of the year, recording first its political events such as the revolutions in France and the Netherlands: "Who can describe it all - what bloody and lamentable scenes have been brought to us in the news of the distant north...but I am not writing a history of the world - that is for learned people to do..." He turns to events in his own country. It has been a hard winter and a cold summer. All crops except fruit have had a poor year and bread is expensive. Bräker and his family have not gone short of necessities, although his business is not going well. For him personally it has been a good year because the publication of his autobiography has brought him visitors from near and far
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Anna Katharina Looser.
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