The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-07-29
Students Dinner in Gettingen.

otudentS' Dinner IN GRttlngen.
Now, transport yourself into the heart
OF the town, and, upon the main street,
find building labelled upon the front,
Sc. Ernst, Restaurant" There, upon
the second story, are two front rooms
They are large and open into each other
by folding doors They ere very neatly
fitted up, the floors are bare, to be sure,
but clean. The walls are covered with
a brown and gilt paper, possessing GER
tain richness Of hue. The windows are
hung with graceful draperies and so, to,
are the folding doors. The larger of the
two rooms is adorned with mirror and
clock, and both rooms, in convenient
places, are supplied with rows of pegs,
for hanging hats and coats upon.
There are dining rooms. One long
table is set in the right hand apartment,
and in the other also a single table, but
one equivalent to three, for it extends
round the three sides Of the room. Clean
white cloths cover the tables, and rows
of plates are set out in preparation for a
meal.
1t is already the dining hour, and the
students are coming in. Most of them
bring newspaper, taken from the adj
joining reading room, and with it occu-
ny their time until the dinner is served
AS they seat themselves, however,
they greet their mates, who have already
come, with the customary "Mahlzeit,"
the salution meaning in itself, simply
"meal time 1t finds its significance,
however. in a longer phrase, of which it
is an abbreviatior, "Segrende Mahlzeit, D.
MAY your meal be blessed 1t is
usual for student to greet thus, not
only when he enters the dining room
but also when he leaves. Out of student
life the longer form, "Segnende Mail
zeit," is used. This is pleasant custom
When one reflects how much his happi-
ness is actually dependent upon his din
ner, he appreciates that interest in his
welfare which wishes him "Segnende
Mahlzeit" But now the first course of
the dinner, the soup, is being passed. 1t
is good soup. German soup generally is
pretty substantial, being intended for
food and not for a mere intimation that
dinner is coming.
The waiter who serves lis is apparent
ly one of the students themselves; one
who, perhaps, has taken this means to
earn his own board.
After soup comes stew. The dishes
are handed TO man at the head CT the
table, ana passed from him down the
line. Exactly What kind of stew it is
| do not know. 1t i, one Of those non
committal dishes with which the student
becomes familiar. IL might be great
many things, and, very likely, is.
AS soon rs the stew is served, beer is
brought in, and The goblet which stands
10y every ones plate is filled.
The third course consists Of roast pork
potato salad and prunes; and, finally, for
dessert, comes black bread, butter and
cheese.
| do not see why they should have
black bread, butter and cheese to close
with The associations connected with
dinner are decidedly pleasant, but to
leave the table with the thought of black
bread, butter and cheese, is to carry
away the impression that you have been
dining upon prison fare.
Well, this is a students dinner. 1t is
not the custom for the students to eat
together in an immense hall like Ne
mortal Hall, in Cambridge, nor is it
usual tor them to receive all their meals
at the house where they may have rooms
The plan of students meals seems
to be this:
Morning, coffee with roll or two,
which he will have in his room. Then
dinner he takes at restaurant in COM
pany with other students, who, together
with him, form kind Of club. After
noon coffee he drinks at the house of his
landlady, and at almost any hour which
suits his convenience. Supper is also
furnished by his landlady, and is usually
eaten at 8 o'clock.
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