 Though Fechner could not read himself, someone could still read to him. For a while, this was his only source of stimulation. His wife would often read to him; so would a friend, who would visit him daily. That friend was no less than the young Hermann Lotze, who was just then beginning his writing career. But, eventually, even his visits had to stop. Fechner could not bear the strain of listening. There could be only complete silence in that darkened room.