Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-09-17
EpucArIoN.

In this branch the Germans excel, for
every child, however poor, is compelled to
| attend school until arriving at the age of
fourteen years. A child, when baptized,
has from one to SIX gOd-iathers and god
mothers; these, together with the parents,
are obliged to attend to Its education or
suffer severe penalty. AT six years, the
child enters upon its studies and pursues
only those branches most useful in life,
French and English included. At the ter
mination of the eight years course, comes
the examination and church confirmation.
Whereupon, a testimony is given of the stand
ing, morals and scriptural knowledge Of
the pupil On the approach of this event,
the turning point of life, the parents become
anxious, and the children jubilant. The
one party look with anxiety for the testimony
while the real actors hail with delight the
arrival of the time when they cast aside
their short clothes; for this is the time when
long coats OF dresses are first put on and the
term du (thou) with which it is customary
, 10 address a child, is substituted by sal (you)
term applied 10 those who have passed
through the important event Of confirmation.
Du, is now only used by members of the
family and chosen friends. To assume the
familiarity of the latter expression, without
uermission, is considered as an insult by tho
party addressed. 1t is almost impossible tC
SO attempt translation of these words will
their significance in English. The testi
nonial and confirmation papers are the lad
der to the holders success in after life, TO
without them, there is no means OF earning
!. a livelihood. On every application for en-
: ployment OF assistance, the papers are dc
Is liyered to the care of the employer, as 81
o curity of good behavior on the part of til
Q employed.
@ Each school has gymnasium attache
N. to it, and all are expected 10 devote porto
es of their time to exercise. And beside
ey mental, each person, male OF female, is ca
ed upon to stand a physical eXaminatio
mn The boys are also put through the prelim
- minaries of military tactics. This eXerci
gives health and vlgor to the mind and la
,ns re- the foundation TO long life. Ii is astonis
,pr ing to hear with what iluency French, En-
= lish and Italian are spoken. Imagine 20
cobbler addressing you in foreign tongu
and your servant passing her leisure tn
"a over the latest French novel.
INTRODUCTION AND couRrsHIP.
la II is very difficult TO obtain admltiancc
a German family. One must have letters
, personal presentation by some intimate
quaintance of the family, and even then
Ae- introducer is held responsible for any brec
are of etiquette If on the first visit, there
!. not request that you should call again
. is understood your presenceis is not agreeal
What would the young ladies and Il
beaux across the water say if their courts
was restricted TO the German rules? II
the young man never visits the daugl
- unless by special permission of the parel
and always in the presence OF the mo'l
OF some elderly person. When he finds
to make his passion known, know
lie Of perhaps 1t is done during the temporary
" scence Of the sentinel The German
81 never goes to ball, theatre or party, un
afa escorted by the aforesaid elderly guard,
M the presence of old heads cools the ardo
lthe swain. II the young man is in fave
osTs court, he is received into the family, mi
a5i the necessary vows and is favored with
hand of the lady in question Cards
,al. then printed and sent TO all relatives