Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-10-14
From the Correspondence Of the Boston Transcript
A Student Duel at Heidelberg.


as the arts and sciences, every student was OBJ
liged to join club from his own conntrymen.
In this way national prejudices were strengthen
ed, and private as well as public quarrels sprang
mn between the different 'Landsmen,' as easily
as in those time the sword was wont to spring
from its scabbard.
These clubs were supposed, in the time of Ma
poleon. to possess too much influence, and were
consequently suppressed as national, but allow
ed to continue as mere college, cliques; and in
the names 'Swabian = 'Prussan, etc., which are
adopted by the present corps of the University,
we find n reason for the origin of student duel
ling. which obtains to such an extent through
out Germany. -,
These clubs, composed of young men of all
ranks and from all nations, without personal
ouarrels or national anilnosities, challenge one
another to single combat merely for the honor
of their corps, or, as some say, to keep up that
old spirit of 'Ratterhood' which this more prac-
tical age is apt to despise.
At any rate the duels take place; dangerous
and disfguring wounds are given and received,
and it is nv purpose at this time merely to de-
scribe the process as it fell under my observa-
ton on pleasant afternoon of last week. The
sSwabans' in green caps, and the 'Vandals' in
red, were to test the prowess of their best
swordsmen-and for this purpose repaired, in
broad day light to the romantic valley OF 'Brun-
nenstube.' which lies embosomed among hills,
inst across the Neckar, an hours walk from Hell
deberg.
Passing the small inn called the 'Hirschgasse,'
renowned as the place where duels in the olden
time were fought, and where the knights Of the
land took the nitiatory steps in their craft, the
road winds along the side of the Helligenberg,
giving charming views of the old castle and the
lovely environs of Heidelberg; till it reaches
sBrunnenstube.' Here the horses are left in
charge of the servants sentinels are stationed
to guard against intrusions, and the students
(some thirty were presently proceed to q level
plat lust under shelter of the woods, but near g.
nnouch to the open valley for the sunlight to-
sparkle through the foliage.
| A steep bank furnishes seats Tor the company
couple of beer kegs are mysterlously furnished,
and the preparations for the combat begin; the
stout man in shirt-sleeves is pointed out as the
Doctor and with his aid the champions are
armed for the fight This is quite process in
itself; first the upper clothing is removed, and a
linen shirt substituted; thick band is wound
on the muscular parts of the swordarln, then
covering after covering is added till the arm
which must do the cutting and thrusting is So
heavy and unweldly that q second person must
hold it at right angles with the owners body
till the moment for action arrives; next quilt
ed leathern apron is made to cover the stomach
and the thighs; and with black silk stock of
thick substance to protect the neck, the doughty
knight steps forth, with head and lett side who'll
ly uneuarded except by the good sword which
| is now given into his right hand. The second
tries the sharp and glistenng blade, and while
the champions on either sides pause to take q
glass of beer, we will rapidly sketch their name
and station.
The 'Swabian' is reputed the best duelist in
Heidelberg; his father is good clergyman OF
neighboring village, who; while he condemns
the practice of duelling in toto is, nevertheless
proud of his sons skill. The young man OF four
and twenty, (old enough to know better, and
Young enough to regret the necessity OF keeping
m the credit of his corps by cutting huge
rashes in his tellow-student's face) steps boldly
forth-a keen-eyed, well-forned man. The
sVandar is the son of the Prussian minister to
the Cour. of Baden--a pale but resolute student
of slighter make than his antagonist but full as
cool in demeauor. The seconds have their right
sides also protected by huge yellow aprons, and
with blunt swords stand by to interfere when
any false stroke is given or expected. The
sSwabian' second is certain Count Won Hennin,
and the 'Vandal second is u man in specs, (prob-
ably baron)
'Fertig.' cried the Count Won Hennin; Los
and at it they went; a very rapidly and hand
somely executed pass-and again they thrust
and parried, till the word Halt, put moment
ary stop to the fight; q second meeting, and the
Swabian (as l afterwards learnt, for it was not
mentioned on the ground,) received slight cut
on the forehead the third encounter was series
of lightning strokes and rapid evolutions with
the keen blades, and Immediately after the word
Halt saw stream of blood flowing down the
face and over the shirt of the 'Vandal He was
led away and the Doctor called. The Swabian
walked coolly away and began to dress. The
Vandal had received cut some SIX inches IN
length beginning just below the temple, 1t ran
along the cheek towards the nose, and then
turned upwards, making slit wound-a very
ghastly looking thing. He summoned all his
pride, and bore the pain right manfully. They
washed the wound which bled protusely; he
seemed faint, and sat down. The Swablans con-
graduated their champion, and said 1T was cap
ital stroke-a double action movement, which
only skillfd hand could make.
No one seemed to feel that this was foolish
mutilation. although the poor fellow will be sick
perbaps O month, and carry hideous scar till
the day of his death. After moments pause
the students turned from the wounded man to
make preparations for second duel. This was
between inexperienced and younger members of
the .corps'-'Foxes' as they are termed. The
combatants wore caps with yisors, and exhibit
ed little skill in the use of their weapons. One
received wound ON the chin, and the others
ear was divided into couple of parts by bun
cling thrust of his adversary, but these awkward
displays were only laughed at by the group of
students
One young 'Swabian' was present with green
shade tied over the place where one eye ought
TO have been, but it had been put out in duel
on this very spot The penalty for fighting a
duel is Imprisonment, and this young man had
inst been pardoned by the Grand Duke, and yet
here he was, looking on with his one eye as if
the fascination of the fighting ground was too
great to be resisted.
The scene ITSELF in the wood, was at least an
interesting one if not in all respects agreeable
the groups of fne-ooking students-the girded
com6ats-the wounded man near the 'Vandal
beer.keg-the duelling apparatus-the orderly
deportment and earnest look of the young men,
and over all the green foliage of the tall trees, it
was quite the scene for an artist.
| had always supposed these duels were boys
plav. although in the streets OF Heidelberg every
fifth student that one meets has scar or an ugly
wonnd ON his face-but when the facts is known
that M such wound as saw given, ifit had pass
ed half inch further to the left would have de-
stroyed the eye of the student, this sort of duel
ling seems very little like boys play-boys mas
chief would be the better word
But further reflections will suggest themselves
r. onv one who will think for moment upon
the effect which would be produced in an A
mericap college by the Introduction of some such
barbarous custom of the middle ages among the
students.