I generally taught in the
middle classes. In a letter to my brother I spoke of the impression made
upon me by my first lesson to a class of thirty or forty boys ranging
from nine to eleven; it seemed as if I had found something I had never
known, but always longed for, always missed, as if my life had at last
discovered its native element. I felt as happy as the fish in the water,
the bird in the air.
But before I pursue this side of the development of my life I must touch
upon another which was far more important to the evolution of my
character as man, as teacher, and as educationist, and which, indeed,
soon absorbed the first within itself.
Not long after my old friend, to meet with whom I had come to Frankfurt,
had introduced me to Gruner, he went back himself to his work as private
tutor. Afterwards he heard of a family (in Frankfurt) desiring a private
tutor for the sons. Since he could not introduce me personally to this
family he did so by letter, and several weeks before my journey to
Yverdon he had, in fact, written to them about me in very kindly terms.
It was for three sons principally that instruction and education were
required.
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