As already stated, these customs, which must always precede the singing of "The Landsfather," are not every where observed in Commers, and do not necessarily belong to them. In earlier times, the word Commers had a wider comprehension. It meant, in general, a convival meeting, in which a president had the direction and control of the singing and drinking. The meetings were often of a very rude character, and if we even do not hold up the Commerses of the present day as specimens of temperance, yet they acquire a nobler sentiment from the solemnity of "The Landsfather." To those earlier Commerses, rather than to the present, apply those satirical remarks in the Dissertation of the Old Schluck. He makes these observations:--
"A Commers is a drinking-meeting, in which a number of students elect one from amongst themselves, under whose presidency to sing and drink. The drinking goes on partly at their own cost, and partly at the cost of others. He who invites others, as guests, and pays the shot (schmaust),[[40]] is styled host, or hospes, from hoc and spes; as if some one should say, I have placed my hope on him. He who directs the drinking-meeting, is president.
"A Commers is more or less strict. It is a strict Commers when the members of the company mutually pledge themselves faithfully to perform whatever the president commands, be it even with danger of life. The signs of the unlimited power of the president, are--
"(1) A sceptre, generally a house-door key,[[41]] with which he either dispenses with drinking, or exhorts the delinquent to drink or sing, or finally points out the defaulters.
"(2) A naked sword, which is laid on the table, and with which the disobedient are compelled to obedience. Hereupon it is clear:
"(a) That no one, without the permission of the president, may stand up. If any one withdraws himself, without having asked permission aloud, he must, for his culpable stiffneckedness, drink from two to four glasses.
"(b) That no one may refuse to drink the glasses which are dictated to him, since, as shown above, he is pledged to obedience, even at the risk of his life. Quere--Can one who has drunken so much that he falls dead in the Commers be obliged to drink more? Answer--No! since death discharges all obligations."
These Commerses, of an earlier and ruder time, are discarded. In the Renommist such a one is described, and it concludes with these lines:
Worn fairly out with song, with drinking and with noise,
Go reeling now along, those three wild roaring boys.
Mid shattered pipes and glass, their staggering way they strive,
Till in the distant market, by lamplight they arrive.
As other men awake, to bed they take their flight,
And bellow to each other--"Sir Brother, a good-night!"