On October 1st, 1766, he wrote letters to two friends, in the second of which he expressed his passion for Kaethchen, and in the first an equally ardent emotion for another maiden who had crossed his path in Frankfort.[23] Goethe's confidant throughout his relations with Kaethchen was one of those peculiar persons whom we meet with in following his career.

He was one Behrisch, now residing in Leipzig in the capacity of tutor to a young German count.

In his Autobiography Goethe has given a large place to Behrisch, who, as there depicted, comes before us as an accomplished man of the world, something of a _roue_, and a humorist in the old English sense of the word.

He never appeared without his periwig, invariably wore a suit of grey, and was never seen in public without his sword, hat under arm.

Of a caustic wit, of considerable literary attainments, and approaching his thirtieth year, he had evidently an influence on Goethe which was not wholly for good.