The Poor Man of Toggenburg - Autobiography of Ulrich Bräker

did me good to be in the house of his philanthropic and hospitable brother-in-law

20th July Bräker's granddaughter Susanna Barbara Wälli is baptised in Krummenau. [Chronik, p 383]

With a good friend from his neighbourhood [not named] to St. Gallen, Rorschach, Rheineck, Rheintal, Altstätten, Stoss, Gais, Appenzell, Gonten and Urnäsch. Bräker complains that his companion is in too much of a hurry and does not allow him time to visit friends, except for Ambühl in Rheineck. He is very impressed by the well-populated and prosperous district around Gais in Appenzell: "some travel writers have indeed had good reason to call this splendid region a second Arcadia". [Chronik, pp 383-4]

In September, with the same companion "with whom I would very willingly spend the whole summer travelling - on account of his amiable conversation and friendly sharing in all that is beautiful, great and good - then, it is true, on account of his means and generosity". They travel via Wald, Stäfa, Bubikon, and because of business appointments of Bräker's companion arrive very late and drenched with rain in Wädenswil, spending the night with friends. Next day they visit Caspar Lavater (1735-1806) in Horgen who had been pastor in Wattwil from 1767 to 1781. [Chronik, p 384] [The Chronik does not indicate any relationship to Pastor Johann Caspar Lavater who was six years younger.] They arrive at Zürich by night:

"In pitch darkness through the city of Zürich to Riedtli, where our good countrywoman lives with her spouse

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- who is tutoring the young people of the family - where we too stayed every night during our stay in Zürich - enjoying much amiability and friendship, joy and contentment - as also particularly in and near Zürich with men and women friends to humanity we enjoyed unforgettably generous lodging and hospitality - but where the house of my dearest Herr Councillor Füssli has the preeminence - may Heaven reward all these noble people. We spent four days in Zürich - with abundant signs of favour and unstinting hospitality." [Voellmy, v 3 p 69]

The Chronik [p 385] adds that the return journey was made via Winterthur to Islikon, where they spent the night at the home of Bräker's companion's half-brother, they had to stay there next day because of bad weather. On the last day of the journey their host "a manufacturer and businessman of the first class", Bernard Greuter, took them in his chaise as far as Münchweilen.

In October Bräker makes a short visit to Daniel Girtanner in St. Gallen. Travelling alone he goes on business to Herisau and St. Gallen, intending to visit friends in Arbon and Konstanz, but misses most of them. The weather is bad for travelling. In Konstanz he spends a few delightful hours with Oberamtmann Sulzer, where he also makes the acquaintance of a German tutor called Theodor Mayer, who accompanies Bräker as far as the Paradise Gate. Bräker travels in thick fog to Mülheim and enjoys a midday meal with his friend Rudolf Hess. In the afternoon he goes on to Wil, and next day returns home, somewhat disappointed: "not very much of interest on this fairly troublesome journey". He made another short visit to Girtanner some time in November [the notes remind us that Bräker was already in the habit