Brief Notes by Pieter Albert Bik, Born in Amsterdam on the 18th of July 1798, since the Year 1813

Summary

After finishing my education under the guidance of schoolmaster Charles Wattiau, at the end of the year 1812, in my fourteenth year, I entered service as the youngest clerk of the notary Salomon Dorper, living at the time on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal by the Torensteeg; I received there no earnings other than a small gift at the beginning of the New Year and at Christmas, as is usually the case in Amsterdam with young men that, having finished their schooling, begin their career at one or another office without salary and, as it was, take their first steps in the world. After having worked there for two years, and having earned the goodwill of my employer, I had the fortune to be admitted as youngest clerk by Messrs Engelberts & Fortuyn, stock brokers, located at the time on the Keizersgracht by the Leidsegracht; there too I was without a fixed salary, but the prospects of the work were better and more favourable than that of the abovementioned notary, and furthermore I received from these gentlemen a promise that I could in the second year begin to earn a fixed salary if I met their expectations in all respects. With pure eagerness and care I fulfilled the tasks given to me and had the good fortune to satisfy both of my employers, sometimes I had to handle large quantities of bills and cash and therefore had great responsibility, which I always properly discharged; once, when we were particularly busy with the delivery and reception of stocks, and I remained at work with my colleague Mister Elsevier Dam until late in the night, I received the next day, or rather found on my desk a roll, addressed to myself, containing ten Dutch ducats or f55,-, as a reward for the work done; this was the first time in my life that I found myself the owner of such a sum, and I was so proud that for days I was showing off those gold coins, while my beloved parents were also happy about what for them was proof that I could count on the goodwill of my employers.