There was much building and arranging to be accomplished, but means to do so were obtained, and the first pupil described very amusingly the entrance into the new home, the furnishing, the discovery of all the beauties and advantages which we found as an old possession in Keilhau, and the endeavour, so characteristic of Middendorf, to adapt even the less attractive points to his own poetic ideas.
Only the hours of instruction fared badly, and Froebel felt that he needed a man of fully developed strength in order to give the proper foundation to the instruction of the boys who were entrusted to his care.

He knew a man of this stamp in the student F.A.Wolfs, whose talent for teaching had been admirably proved in the Bendemann family.
"Langethal," as the first pupil describes him, was at that time a very handsome man of five-and-twenty years.

His brow was grave, but his features expressed kindness of heart, gentleness, and benevolence.

The dignity of his whole bearing was enhanced by the sonorous tones of his voice--he retained them until old age--and his whole manner revealed manly firmness.

Middendorf was more pleasing to women, Langethal to men.
Middendorf attracted those who saw, Langethal those who heard him, and the confidence he inspired was even more lasting than that aroused by Middendorf.
What marvel that Froebel made every effort to win this rare power for the young institute?
But Langethal declined, to the great vexation of Middendorf.