In December 1747, shocking news reaches Johann Gottfried Lessing, scholar-clergyman and pastor in Kamenz: Gotthold, his highly gifted, promising son, is said to be neglecting his studies in Leipzig, consorting instead with actors and freethinkers. In 1741, after having attended Latin school in town up to the age of twelve, he had left his parental home for scholarly training at the ‘Prince’s School’ of St Afra in Meissen, which was to prepare him for the study of theology. According to the school inspector’s verdict, he proved to be “a good boy, though inclined to mockery” (RD, 10), and extraordinarily perceptive, as the Rector of the school remarked to his father: “This is a horse which needs a double ration of fodder. The lessons that are too hard for the others seem child’s play for him. We hardly know what to do with him anymore” (KGL 1, 40).