THE COMITAT.
But we have hitherto only turned our attention to the images of death; let us now accompany the more happy youth who sails out of the joyful Burschen world into Philisterium, on his progress. During the student period, the academician generally far separated from his connexions, sometimes pays them a visit in the vacation.
And when again he visits us!--O God! my wish is won!
I see him with his black mustache the real Muses' son!
"The Ferien[[48]] now ended--I must away--adieu!
And now until I've finished, I come no more to you."
If the student always so lived as during the whole last year or half-year of his university-life, we might have been spared the labour of writing the tenth and other chapters of our volume. There he sits now, in his solitary little room. Instead of frolicksome brothers, the old folios surround him; he has even forgot the Commersing, and instead of that he sips his cup of coffee, in order again to revive the exhausted spirit of his life. His duelling wrath is directed against the flies that disturb him in his studies, and his pipe is the only friend that cheers his spirit in his solitude.
Students who have lived jovially, are accustomed to denote that they have arrived at this melancholy termination of their campaign by exchanging the cap for the Philistine hat, and their cronies are reasonable enough then to perceive, that nobody may disturb them in these their arduous exertions, as, indeed, the Burschen-life cannot last for ever. After these glorious exertions, the son of the Muses plunges boldly into the doctoral examination. This is partly made in writing, partly orally, and is conducted under the superintendence of the Dean, who also selects the questions, to which the youth under examination, isolated in a room of the Dean's house, gives his answers. The examination is seldom closed under a week; after which he receives, as its result, from the examining professors of the faculty, one of the usual degrees of the university, unless his acquirements have been so indifferent, that his evil-star, as the students say, has caused him to fall through.
The usual degrees are these four--"Summa cum laude;" "Præclara cum laude;" "Insigni cum laude;" "Magno cum laude;" (feliciter evasit, as the student jocosely says.) In most states the doctoral examination precedes the state examination, and the examinee acquires the right to be admitted to the latter when he has passed his doctoral examination, and has written a dissertation. In other states, as in Baden, the reverse is the fact.
Is the new doctor then dubbed?--he has sworn his oath on the fasces, and he hastens to announce this new distinction to his delighted connexions, and to apprise them of his speedy return home.
See! Father, see! a letter! his student days are done,
A Doctor they've created, with high applause, thy son.
By the next post, so writes he, to-morrow e'en to dine!
He comes--"Then, mother, fetch thou thy last flask of good wine."
Chamisso.
When now the quondam Bursch returns home, in order then to prepare himself to pass the State's examination, the portal of Philisterium, his university companions accompany him in procession out of the city. This accompaniment they call the Comitat.
What rings and sings in the street out there!
Open the windows, ye maids so fair.
'Tis the Bursché, away he wendeth--
The Comitat him attendeth.
Uhland.
Such a comitat was, in former times, more stately and striking than at present. Before rode in Kollar and Kanonen, that is, in buckskins and jack-boots, the assembled Chore-brothers, wearing the Chore-caps and bands, in their right hands their drawn swords. Then followed in a carriage with four or six horses, the senior in the fullest gala dress, and wearing the storm-hat, and holding two crossed swords. Then followed in a carriage drawn by the same number of horses, the Departing Bursch. He sate on the left side in the old Burschen dress, with the old cap on, while on his right hand sate two Foxes, dressed in the highest gala uniform, who were attending on him with the greatest assiduity, performing every possible service for him, especially in lighting his pipe for him. On each side of the carriage was generally wont a student also to ride. The rest of the students who joined the procession, now followed in two-horse carriages, and the Pawk-doctor did not fail to appear in the train. The train-closer came last, in the style in which we have before described him, either on horseback with his drawn sword, or in a carriage holding the crossed swords. So moved on the picturesque procession to the next place, where they once more assembled themselves to enjoy the Burschen-life. Finally, the Mossy Bursch must say a last farewell to the university city; finally, must he tear himself from the arms of his companions, and hasten towards his home. He carries with him out of the city of the Muses many a delightful remembrance, and brings to his parents and relations, to whose arms he returns, as the testimony of his scientific acquirements, the diploma of Doctor.
[THE OLD BURSCH.]
Think'st thou thereon how in the Burschen season,
So light and free, life unto thee did show?
Think'st thou thereon--how, and with fullest reason,
Lovely it seemed to feel young friendship's glow?
Rememb'rest then, what glad throngs thou didst see soon
As Brothers greet thee--true in joy and wo?
When near us lies nor foul deceit could won?--
Speak, Ancient House! oh! think'st thou yet thereon?
Rememberest thou, the good old time and tide then,
In German coat, long hair, and open breast;
Heft under arm,[[49]] the rapier by the side then,
With zeal and courage we in college pressed,
And fought our way all through the deep-and-wide fen,
Of the most learned lecturer's wild-goose quest.
Then by conceit nor rank imposed upon?--
Speak, Ancient House,--oh! think'st thou yet thereon?
Thinkest thou yet how the Philistines fearéd,
Yet still gave credit when the Bursché came;
To the Prorector when with plaints they faréd,
The Landsmannschaft did straight the Bann proclaim?
Thinkest thou yet how boldly then we daréd
With lovely maids, who still, so mild, so tame--
How in Commers to heaven we have gone--
Speak, Ancient House! oh! think'st thou yet thereon?
Rememberest thou each tragi-comic action--
How we did fight, since I had thee touchirt?
But when the bleeding wound gave satisfaction,
How heartier than ever we smollirt?
And how we then, both true unto our paction,
In Carcer two long moons each other cheered?
In Carcer even clinked glasses,--cared for none?
Speak, Ancient House! oh! think'st thou yet thereon!
I think thereon! oh! ne'er shall I forget it!
The good, the dear, the ancient Burschentide!
Oh! that 'tis gone! that heaven each brief term set it!
East, west, the brothers scattered on each side!
And villany! since then I oft have met it!
Yes, life disgusts me--all so cold and wide!
Courage, Old House! sing "Gaudeamus" on!
Canst "thou" it yet? Ah! God! I think thereon!