The father designed Fritz, evidently the most gifted of his sons, for
the church, and after some desultory attempts at instruction in
Schwarzenbach, sent him in 1779 to the high school at Hof. His
entrance examination was brilliant, a last consolation to the father,
who died, worn out with the anxieties of accumulating debt, a few
weeks later. From his fellow pupils the country lad suffered much till
his courage and endurance had compelled respect. His teachers were
conscientious but not competent. In the liberally minded Pastor Vogel
of near-by Rehau, however, he found a kindred spirit and a helpful
friend. In this clergyman's generously opened library the thirsty
student made his first acquaintance with the unorthodox thought of his
time, with Lessing and Lavater, Goethe and even Helvetius. When in
1781 he left Hof for the University of Leipzig the pastor took leave
of the youth with the prophetic words: "You will some time be able to
render me a greater service than I have rendered you. Remember this
prophecy."

Under such stimulating encouragement Richter began to write. Some
little essays, two addresses, and a novel, a happy chance has
preserved. The novel is an echo of Goethe's _Werther_, the essays are
marked by a clear, straightforward style, an absence of sentimentality
or mysticism, and an eagerness for reform that shows the influence of
Lessing. Religion is the dominant interest, but the youth is no longer
orthodox, indeed he is only conditionally Christian.

With such literary baggage, fortified with personal recommendations
and introductions from the Head Master at Hof, with a Certificate of
Maturity and a _testimonium paupertatis_ that might entitle him to
remission of fees and possibly free board, Richter went to Leipzig.
From the academic environment and its opportunities he got much, from