The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-09-03

tufeu ChlvalrUuS sentiments rs we'll aS The
arts md sciences, every student was obliged
to join II club formed from his own c"un-
trymcn. In this way national pre- julirr>
wero strenstl,cL, and private as well us pub
lie quar'cls sprang up between the differ
cnt "Lan,ls,ncn," us easily us in those times
when the sword WI, won. 10 spring from,
its scabLard.
These clubs were supposed, in the time
Of Napoleon, to possess too much inucnc,
and were consequently suppressed us "n,
tional," but allowed to continue as mcr,
"collegc' cliqucs; and in the names 'Swa
b'an," Prussian," &c, which arc adoplc,
10y the present "corps" Of the University
we find reason for tie o,iy gin OF student
dueling, which obtains to such I'M cxlcn,
throughout Germany.
These clubs, composed of youn. men Of
all ranks, and from all nations. wilioul
personal quarrels or national a.i'n"silics,
challenge one another To- s''ylc combat
merely for the honor Of ll,.ir corps" or rs
some say, 10 keep up tlat old spirit of lit
tcrlIood' which tho more practical age is
apt to dcspise
At any r.;r, the d;.cls take place, ,l:,nse.
Gus and dsligurin. wounds are given and
rccc'cd, and it is my purpose at this time
merely to describe the process ;s it fell mn-
der my observation on Il pleasant afternoon
Of last week. The "Swahiuns" in green
caps, and the "Nan,laIs" in red, were To
test the prowcss Of their best swor,ls,ncn-
and for this purpose repaired, in broad day
light, to the romantic valley Of" I:lunncns-
tube" which lies cmLosonlcd amonr hills
just across the Ncckar, IN hours walk from
Heidelberg.
Passing the small inn called the 'IIi,sch-
grasse," renowned as the place wLcr. ,luc's
IN the o'den time were fought, and where
tho knights Of the land took the initiatorv
steps i'll their craft, the road winds along
the side Of the IlciiigcnLcrg, giving Charm.
ing views Of the old castle and the lovely
environs Of heidelberg, till it reaches
Brunnenstubr" Here the horses are left
III Charge OF the servants sculincls are sta.
toned TO guard against iltrusons, and the
student (somc thirty arc prescnD proceed
TO n level plat just under shelter Of the
woods, but near enough to the open valley
for the sunlight to sparkle through tic f.
liage.
a CT L. 4 Al
pany; couple Of lccr kegs are mystcli
ously furnished, and the preparations for
the combat begin; the stout man in shirt
sleeves is pointed out as the doctor" and
with his all tlc champions arc armed for
the fight. THIS is quite process in itself
first the upper clothing is removed, and |
linen shirt substituted; Il thick band is
wound on the muscular parts of the sword
ann, then covering after covering is added, !
till the arm which must do the cutting and
thrusting is SO heavy aud unwicIly lha,
second person must hold it at right angles !
with the owners body I'll the mcmcnt ac- !
ton arrives; next quilted lcathcrn apron
IS made to cover the stomach and lhi-l.s
and with black silk stock of thick sub. !
stance to protect tn. rcck, tic doughty
knight steps forth, with head and left side |
wholly unguardel except hy the good sword
which is now given into his right hand
lle second tries the sharp and gIstcning
blade, and while the champions on either
side pause to take IL glass of beer, we will
rapidly sketch their name and station.
The Swabian' is rcputed the best duel !
list in Heidelberg; his father is good cIer
gy'nan Of" neighboring village, who, while
lie condemns the practice of ducllns in
toto, is nevertheless pround of his sons
skill. She young man Of four and twenty
(old enough to know better, and younr
enough to regret the necessity Of keeping
up the credit Of his corps by cutting hue
gashes in his fvllow-studcnl's fncc) steps
boldly forth-a kecn.cyed, wcll-lormcd
man. The "Vandal" is the son Of the
lrussian minister to the Court of Ba,leu- !
apale Lu! rcsolute student Of sIyhtcr make !
LIN" Ills antagonist, but full as cool in dc. |
meanor. The seconds have their riyl,t side
also protected 10y huge yellow aprons and
with blunt swords stand by to interfere
when any false stroke is given or expected,
lhe "SwaIian" second is certain Count
Won uennin. and the "Vau,lal" second ism
man in specs, (probaIy only baron.)
FertIg," cried the Count Won IIcnniu
"Los'-and at it they went very rapid
and handsomely executed pass-and again
they thrust and parric'l, till the word "lIaln
put momentary stop to the fight; a sec.
ond hight; second meeting, and the swa.
b'an (as afterwards learned, for it was not
mentioned on the ground,) received slight
cut Oh the forehead the third encounter
was series Of lightning strokes and ron;,,