- 220 -

friend H...ss

186

. However, Herr Sulzer would in all seriousness not agree to this, and in the end I was well content. Because from the first moment that I saw him, I sensed an indescribable feeling of sympathy, so that I set aside all ceremonious restraint and let myself be as comfortable in his house as if I were at home, as if he and his family were my own clan, and as if we had known each other for years. We spent the evening in familiar conversation. I enjoyed his good wine until I grew lively - and slept near him in his own bedchamber.

Such sudden trust in him - that shows my lack of discretion! To be sure! For if I had ever been in Amsterdam or London, I should certainly have fallen into the hands of the slave-dealers in this way. Herr Sulzer was in the same case, to take into his house, on his word alone, a man whom he had never seen, knew nothing of, and with nothing to recommend him, a man of the lowest class and besides all that, a member of a detested religious party, to lodge and shelter him in such a friendly manner - truly, he could have been a thief, a murderer! No, feelings of sympathy do not deceive him who has a knowledge of mankind! Yet sometimes they do. Cunning rascals and prentice thieves are capable of putting on a mask impenetrable to human eyes. Was not the greatest of those who have studied mankind, the great physiognomist Lavater, who has such sharp eyes to see into the human soul, was he not so often deceived? Either he was not paying attention to his feelings, or had followed only his gentle disposition, or physiognomy is deceptive. But that was not the case here. I had found the man I sought for, a man that my soul loved, a Nathaniel without guile, a righteous Israelite

187

. Far be it from me to make a speech here in praise of Herr Oberamtmann Sulzer. He would give me no thanks for it. It requires a more skilful pen. Enough that his name is written in the Book of Life. Such honest-thinking people have all the same religion, though they may depart from each other in lesser matters of ceremony as far as they please.

On Sunday morning I wanted to take my leave in good time in order to go to church at Mülheim. But my bosom friend kept me back till nine o'clock, so that I could hardly get away from that dear family. In the parlour and in all the chambers I saw objects that showed that the great Lavater had also been their guest. Here and there I saw on the plastered walls some little verses written in pencil, epigrams on various objects, for example, under a Christ crucified, under Herr Sulzer's portrait and that of his late wife, and so on. In that house Lavater is almost worshipped. On the piano and everywhere I saw Lavater's writings lying, and I heard them talk of him with great affection.

DIVP class="i50"> At last I took my leave of this dear warmhearted little family, which consists only of Herr Sulzer, a handsome promising little son, his amiable sister-in-law and an honest cookmaid, all dwelling in a remote corner of Konstanz, a place as pleasant as it is retired. Herr Sulzer accompanied me as far as the Paradise Gate

188

Here I took leave of this noble benefactor, a parting so affectionate that I have never received one more affectionate from a member of my own sex. We promised to write to each other, and vowed solemnly to keep faith in our callings and eternal friendship, which I shall never regret. ...

***************************************************************************************************************

Johann Anton Sulzer:

Johann Anton Sulzer (1752-1828) held a high administrative office at the monastery in Kreutzlingen. He had read Bräker's autobiography and sought out his acquaintance through Imhof. He was a correspondent of Lavater from 1781 to 1801. In 1792 he published some poems, mainly on religious subjects, which included one dedicated to Bräker. At the turn of the century he became a teacher of philosophy and theology at the Lyceum in Konstanz. After the French revolution he tried to convert some of his friends to Catholicism, including Daniel Girtanner, but

186

Bräker's old friend Rudolf Hess.


187

John 1 v 47.


188

Paradies: a district to the southwest of Konstanz. [Chronik, p 369]



Contents