CONTENTS.

[CHAPTER I.]

General Plan, Officers, and Courts, of a German University--Charm of this life to those who have passed through it--Explanation of the term Bursché, or Student--Right to found or dissolve Universities, retained by the Sovereign Princes--Offices and mode of government--The Curatorium--Rector, Prorector--Senate, greater and less--Different orders of Professors and Teachers--mode of their remuneration--University Board of Finance--its Court of Justice--Academical freedom, and mode of matriculation--Inferior officers, and penalties for offences against the Academical laws--College terms--mode of Lecturing, and duties of Lecturers-- necessary Examinations of the Students, and consequent Certificates--Sciences taught--Privileges and endowments to enable young men without property to enjoy all the advantages of the Universities--the great extent to which this is made available, and great advantages to the State derived from it--Opinion of Goethe on this head--Great Men that this has produced--no German, however exalted in rank, can hold a high position in society, without making himself master of the knowledge thus opened to the people

[CHAPTER II.]

General View of Student-Life.--Student-life an admirable field for bringing a young man speedily to a knowledge of life, and to a sense of self-government and self-dependence--Prejudice, especially amongst foreigners, that Students must become exposed to many unpleasantnesses--these groundless--every individual Student independent, and at liberty to associate just as little, or as mach as he pleases with the rest--Equality the law of the German Students--their opinion that the English are the slaves of the Aristocracy--their surprise at the Aristocratic prejudices of the English--Academic freedom dear to every German Student--its value acknowledged by all the greatest men--Influence of the associate life of the Students on their minds and manners-- including, as it does, the natives of so many Countries--Chores, or Unions--Landsmannschafts--the Burschenschaft--Wearing of Union Badges forbidden--Public Processions, and Costumes of the Professors

[CHAPTER III.]

The Chores, or Unions.--Their nature, constitution, and distinguishing colours--each Chore formed of the natives of a particular State--what is requisite for the formation of a New Chore--is acknowledged and recorded at the Allgemeine, or General Social Meeting of the Chores--Constitution of a Chore--its Officers, Code of Laws--its Beer-court, and Court of Honour--its Boon-companions, and various ranks of members--its Chore-Convent, or Board of Administration--the Proscription, or Bann, as exercised both against Members and offending Tradesmen, or even the University itself--Classes of Students termed Camels, etc. etc.

[CHAPTER IV.]

The Burschenschaft.--The origin of this celebrated Society to be found in the patriotic desire to free Germany from the domination of Buonaparte--this feeling at first high and holy--quickened by the union of Learned and Literary men in the Poet-League of Göttengen, to advance the Language and Literature of the Country--the triumphs of Literature at their height under Schiller and Goethe, when the French Invasion took place--the indignant enthusiasm excited by this on the minds of the Students--the formation of Burschenschafts--these in different Universities united by one general bond--their effect in rousing Germany to the expulsion of the French--these feelings immortalized in the songs of Theodore Körner--the People's Battle at Leipsic--the expulsion of the French followed by a demand for the restoration of the Germanic Empire--Act of Confederation of the German States signed--Formation of the Holy Alliance of Sovereigns-- Disappointment of the People--Agitations of the Burschenschaft-- Beautiful ceremonies at the celebration of the Peace Anniversary at Jena, etc. 1816--farther proceedings of the Borschenschaft--the celebrated Festival in the Wartburg in 1817, at which the Writings of Kotzebue ware burnt--Congress of Universities at Jena in 1818, and Publication of the Constitution of the Burschenschaft--the influence of these events on the mind of George Sand, and its consequences

[CHAPTER V.]

The Narrative of Sand.--His origin and education--his early enmity to the French--his conscientious but excitable disposition--the effect on his mind of the burning of Kotzebue's Writings--his personal appearance--Kotzebue in the pay of Russia, to give information of the popular movements and opinions in Germany-- Seizure and publication of one of his bulletins to that Government, and consequent popular excitement--Sand conceives the idea of putting Kotzebue to death, as a traitor to German freedom--his long mental struggles against this idea--the final surrender to it, and preparation for carrying it into effect--his paper called "Death-blow to August Von Kotzebue"--his letter to his parents, and brother and sisters, on setting out on this project--his perpetration of the deed, his trial, and execution at Mannheim--Consequence of this and similar attempts--The prohibition of the Burschenschaft, and persecution of its members--The Song "We Builded," etc, as sung at the breaking up of the Burschenschaft in June in 1819

[CHAPTER VI.]

Ceremonial Introduction to University and Burschen Life--The Student youth of Germany, driven from the Burschenschaft, have fallen back on their Chore-life--Complaints of late years that youths coming to the University become involved in the dissipations of Chore-life, to the prevention of their studies and detriment of health and morals--these views combated by the Author--the existence of a temporary excitement on entering University-life accounted for--the Author, as one who passed through this life, testifies to its advantages--Every University its own particular tone and character--Peep at the past Life of the Universities, as revealed in Zacchariæ's "Renommist," and in a Drawing of 1730-- Singular and rude Customs formerly practised on the admission of Students to the Universities--Freshmen or Branen, then subjected also to many humiliations--the present condition of the Freshman, now termed a Fox--Curious Anecdotes connected with the condition of a Fox--Different ranks which a Student passes through who joins a Chore, or Verbindung--in the Gymnasium, or school preparatory to the University, he is a Frog--then successively a Mule, a Camel, a Fox, a Fat-Fox, a Burnt-Fox, a Young Bursch, Old Bursch, and Mossy Head--Satirical explanation of Student terms, by Herr Schluck-- Initiatory ceremonies at a Union of the Chores on creating the different degrees of Foxes--Singing of "The Landsfather"--The Fox-Ride, and its accompanying song--Burning of the Burnt-Foxes, with the accompanying song, etc.

[CHAPTER VII.]

The Duel.--This is a practice of the Middle Ages, that has firmly maintained itself amongst the Students--the Author's opinion of it--its actual good or evil in the system--to be regarded principally as a trial of skill in fence--mode in which these Duels are contracted, settled, conducted, and fought out--At Heidelberg these take place in a well-known house in the Hirschgasse--Duel Costume, and different species of Duel--Anecdote of a little Jew who fought one--the Duel prohibited by the laws-- the Academical enactments against it--Attempts of the Beadles to seize the Combatants--their watchers--the Red Fisherman, their great champion--Students' dogs sometimes join in the contest-- Penalties, and University Prison

[CHAPTER VIII.]

Characters connecting themselves with Student Life.--The Hofrath Diehl--his History--the Flower-Boy, and Frau Gotlieben the Fruitwoman

[CHAPTER IX.]

Private Life of the Student.--Visit of Mr. Traveller, the Englishman, to the room of the Student Freisleben--his surprise at what he saw--his friendly welcome--Description of the Room and its various Decorations--Student word for comfortable--the Boot-Fox-- Origin of the word School Foxery, or pedantry--Wages of a Boot-Fox--Expense of Living at the University--Pendulums and Knoten--origin of the latter term--the House Philistine and his duties--the Philose, the Besom, the House-Bursch, and Room-Bursch--What it means to "Tail a Lecture"-- Dissertation-on-Dogs--A visit to the annual Dog-Muster---Students' Dogs--their characteristics--one at a duel swallows up a Student's nose--the little Dog Tambourli--the Student's love for his Pipe-- Pipes of various kinds, and in all their parts, described--Origin of the word Fidibus--the philosophy of Smoking

[CHAPTER X.]

Rural and Summer Amusements of the Student.--Beauties of the neighbourhood of Heidelberg--The Wolfebrunnen--the surrounding Woods and Mountains of the Odenwald and Black Forest--Historical associations--the Student sometimes takes longer excursions than into these scenes--Excursions in a one-engine--Water excursions-- Field sports--The Students' Shooting ground--Kirchweihs, or Wakes, described--the Students there--Scenes which arise with the Handwerksburschen

[CHAPTER XI.]

Winter Amusements of the Student.--He joins gladly Social Parties at the houses of the Inhabitants and of the English--finds much amusement at the Reading-rooms, Billiard-table, and Balls and Concerts at the Museum--Serenades--Song, "The Departure"--Skating --pushing Ladies on the Ice in Sledges--gaiety of these scenes-- sledging parties by Torch-light--Whims of the Students on such occasions--Instances of their schemes to satirize the attempts of the Senate to check their expense in such things--in the evening joins his Kneip

[CHAPTER XII.]

The Student's Evening Party, with its Conversations, Discussions, Songs, and Customs.--The Student Hoffman entertains his Friends-- Description of his Rooms--his Friends Freisleben, Von Kronen, Eckhard, Enderlin, Pittschaft, Mr. Traveller--their opinion of Englishmen and English Ladies--Melancholy story of Krusenstern and Avensleben--The Radonen Cake--Sketch of the history of Universities, given by Von Kronen--Discussion on Phrenology-- English and German Literature compared--German Romance ludicrously described by Lichtenberg--the Students sing Schiller's song of "The Four Elements," also "There Twinkle Three Stars" from Körner--they sing a Roundelay--Anecdotes of Stambooks--Drink to their Ladies--Drink and sing as a Roundelay the humorous song of "The Krähwinkle Landsturm"--sing a Lumpitus of the first verse of various celebrated songs in rotation--sing "The Binschgauer"-- Merriments before parting--The songs of "Ye Brothers, when no more I'm drinking," "The Pope," "Brothers, in this Place of Festive Meeting," "So crown with leaves the love-o'erbrimming Beakers"

[CHAPTER XIII.]

General System of German Education.--Glance at the progress of popular Education, from the ancient Nations and Times down to the present--Popular Folks'-schools of the Middle Ages--Gerbardus Magnus--his Institution at Deventer---his ideas followed out by Montaigne, Bacon, etc.--the Burger class erect Schools--the Reformation--School of Conrad Celtes, for the restoration of Classical antiquity--Services of Erasmus, Reuchlin, Dalberg, Agricola, Pirkheimer, etc.--the origin of the plans of Pestalozzi to be found in the writings of Ratich and Comenius--Services of Fenelon, Spencer, and Franke--Improvements by Ziedler, Hein, and Sulzer--Influence of Locke, Rousseau, Crousatz, in developing the modern School-systems--Description of the German School-system, and what is taught in each class of Schools, viz. the Elementary, or Proper Folks'-Schools; the Real Schools, called also Middle Schools, Higher Burger Schools, etc; the Gymnasia; the Universities

[CHAPTER XIV.]

Song, an indispensable requisite to the Student, as to all Germans.--Song and Poetry a necessity to the German--the Germans rich in Popular Songs--Universal singing of the Common People--A popular Song at any crisis passes like an electric flash through the whole People--"Prince Eugene," a specimen of a class of Songs very common amongst the People--All classes, in town or country, have their peculiar Songs--the Student is affluent in Songs--the Commers-Book a collection of them--Sing in their Kneips--their Songs often heard on summer evenings in the open air with fine effect--one of the finest "From High Olympus," etc.--the Roundelay--the Student has his Songs of Love, Wine, Fatherland, and Friendship--Student-life regarded as a joyous season that comes but once, therefore they sing and rejoice in it--Accompany their Deceased Brethren to the tomb also with Song--"Gaudeamus igitur"

[CHAPTER XV.]

Drinking Customs of Student-life, ancient and modern.--The Author's opinions on festive drinking--Song of Old Noah--Master Schluck's persiflage on the Burschen-Comment, or Student Code of Drinking Laws--Notice of some of the chief of the different classes of Student Songs--"The Maiden Song" as formerly sung--account of it in Zacchariæ's Renommist--Drinking Customs of a past age in the Universities--anecdotes of these--Phrases collected by Lichtenberg descriptive of a Drunkard--the General Beer-Code of Heidelberg

[CHAPTER XVI.]

The Commers.--The Commerses, general and special--their social Festive Meetings, held on various occasions--Description of the General Commers--certain Songs sung, as "Heidelberg live thou," etc.--the Singing of "The Consecration Song, or Landsfather," and singular ceremonies attending it--the Ceremony of the Smollis-- Smollering constitutes a Brotherhood to last for life--Drinking Laws of the Commers--Herr Schluck's Comments on a Commers--the Excesses of the Ancient Commerses abandoned

[CHAPTER XVII.]

The Special Commers.--Description of a train of Students going out to a Special Commers in the country--their arrival there-- description of the Room and mode of holding the Commers--Ceremony, and Song of "The Prince of Fooling"--Frolics and Gambols of the Students the next day in the village--An old ballad describing these in 1650--the Commers over, they return often by water, with music and fireworks--close it with drinking Crambambuli--the Song of Crambambuli--The Lumpin Bell

[CHAPTER XVIII.]

New Year's Eve.--Spent by the Friends at the rooms of Freisleben-- Conversation sallies--Glee-wine made, and the English song, "Down with the Sorrows," etc., by Mrs. Howitt, sung by Hoffmann to the guitar--"The Song of Wine"--"The Table-Song," by Goethe

[CHAPTER XIX.]

New Year's Eve, continued.--Sketch of the History of Heidelberg University--A Salamander rubbed to the honour of the Professors

[CHAPTER XX.]

New Year's Eve, continued.--University Stories--Singular Story of the feats of activity, strength, and eccentric humour of Von Plauen--his Banishment from the University--his Imprisonment and Escape--Story of the Student Schwartzkopf, who became the celebrated robber, "The Black Peter;" with his deeds, capture, and strange final escape--Story of the Student Stark--Fire-arms announce the entrance of the New Year, and the friends rush forth to witness the Procession of the Students to give a "Vivat" to their chief Professors--this described--Breaking up of the ice on the river--the exploit of the Red Fisherman

[CHAPTER XXI.]

The Marching-Forth.--Modes in which the Student generally quits the University--The Marching-Forth when the Bann is laid by the Students on the University itself, and march forth in a body-- various instances of this--the one which arose out of the building of the Museum in Heidelberg in 1827--the cry of "Bursch, come forth!" raised, and all the Students, in procession, quitted the city--the progress of negotiation and return of the Students-- Marching-Forth from Heidelberg on account of dispute with the Military--Marching-Forth from Göttingen in 1818--progress and event of it--Anecdote of a Student and an Actor at Darmstadt-- Noble instance of the cry of "Bursch, come forth!" being raised for the defence of the Jews--used in case of fires--in defence of the Prussian Students--Debts of the Students--their vengeance on an offending Tailor--the Manichæans or creditors--Mr. Traveller quits Heidelberg--Scene at his Rooms--Accompanied by his Friends to Weinheim--Meeting with a pedestrian party of Students from Wurtzburg--As Mr. Traveller departs they sing, "A Mossy Bursch now forth I wend"

[CHAPTER XXII.]

The Student's Funeral, etc.--Hazards supposed to attend Student-life considered--Termination of the Student career by death--No class of persons so poetically testify their respect and affection for their deceased friends as the Students--Description of the whole Pageant and Procession of a Student's Funeral--with the final burning of the torches before the University, and singing of the "Gaudeamus igitur"--Funeral honours paid to a Professor

[CHAPTER XXIII.]

The Comitat, or accompaniment of a Student in procession on his quitting the University--Hard study of the Student as the day of Examination approaches--Degrees obtained--Description of the Comitat precession of his Friends, as formerly practised and as at present--they sing the song of "The Mossy Bursch" at parting-- Ballad of "The Old Bursch"