Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-06-17
Correspondence Of the Free Press.
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
NO. LXXI.
Leipsic.

LEIPSiC. -
At the time of the breaking up in the
University of Prague, portion of the
cedcrs established the University of Leipsic
which, after that of Prague, is the oldest in
Germany. 1t was formed in 400, and has
now 500 to 1000 students and 60 professors,
besides a large number of private teachers.
The private teachers, believe, are a charac-
teristic feature Of the European University
The endowment Of the University and the
annual appropriations Of the State arc applied
to keeping up the appointed and routine
teaching of the Curriculum by the Professors
This gives to the Professors a small stipend.
and they look for further means to extraordn-
AIRY lectures given for pay to those more am
bilious and industrious students who desire
to push their inquiries far beyond the mere
routine OF the University course, for further
aid. Such students also resort to able and
learned men, who, In the character of private
teachers, render their services for hire to such
as desire to employ them, and also deliver
lectures on their own speciality. From this
class the corps Of Professors is often recruited
1t seems TO Inc that no one at all acquainted
with the facilities and needs of higher public
education, can fail to sec in these arrange
ments, almost the perfection of system of
University instruction.
The teaching rooms are of exceeding plain
ness-rude almost as country school-house
the seats in some instances ranged round
the rJom-in some cases the simplest long
benches and DESKS Of plain boards, with holes
for the inkstands in front of the teachers
desk, which is quite as plain, on one side of
the room. Some of the rooms have seats for
not more than %, Others for $50. They open
from long corridors. The buildings, in ex-
ternal appearance, have little to interest the
traveller. Modern reparations and recon
structions have deprived them Of the venerable
ancient look which their years would sug-
gest In one is Il common hall, or conyia-
torum, for 2i0 students where, on certain
foundations, they are fed gratuitously.
The Augusteum is IL modern building, and
has much more pretension. Within it is full |
of int, st, being really one of the pleasant
sights Of the city 1t was built in 1886, and |
finished from designs by Schinkel. 1t con-
tans, besides the library of 100 900 volumes,
and some other collections, large and beau
tiful hall in which the degrees are conferred,
and all the grand ceremonies and receptions
of the University take place. The doorway
is ornamented with statues of Calliope and
Polyhymnia. The Frontispiece represents
the four faculties of the University 1t con-
tains some fine statues, and IN front of the
Presidents scat is noble bust of Liebnitz,
who was native of Leipsic and educated
here, principally; but being denied his de-
gree Ii. D., on account Of his youth go
years old), he took it from the University of
Altori, His fame is, however, IL great glory
If his native city, and his bust we'll deserves
he place it occupies. Under the lofty cor.
,iccs Of the hall are bas- rcliefs Of life size
md fall length, illustrating tho progress of
Education.
The Observatory and the Chemical Labora-
DRY of the University are on the citadel of
'leissenherg, from which we looked out upon
he battle grounds,
The Churches of Leipsic are not very in
eresting, The only Catholic Church is
leat modern specimen Of the gothic it has
our chapels or affairs, but lacks OF course,
he works Of art which abound in the great
emplcs Of the Catholic Cities The Protest
mt Churches are large and ancient, and have
ONE things worth looking at, ST. Thomas
: the largest and oldest-about 400 years old.
It, NicholAs-330 years old, has u beautiful
Interior, and some good paintings. This
'hurch was in existence in the 18th century.
ut has been rebuilt We were told il would I,
Fat 5000 persons ! should not have suppos- |
i 50 many. In an out-of-the-way and half
Inken room. we were shown II beautiful ,
othc stem pulpit and baptistery, said to
ave been often used by Luther, did not
link any better OF the Lutherans OF Saxony,
,at such beautiful relic, 50 closely associa- !