Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-02-02

necks were covered with heavy leather CO
lars, their ears being bound down close
their heads to avoid being severed emo
nous wire goggles covered their eyes BIT
the face, nose, chin ant head was expose to
the sword strokes over their defensive arm
or was hung loose tune OF white cotto
CLOTH gathered at the neck their right {
sword arm was supported by two OF thei
seconds, being so heavily padded that
could not be brought to the side, and til
weight of the padding was so great that
ton, they were brought face to face, lon,
swords about tire, and a half feet in lcngtl
placed in their hands, the swords being o
iron and ground sharp as razors; the sec
onds then released their sword arms an,
they crossed swords, the umpire stood a
their sides with sword extended AM
touching theirs. No thrustlng IS ever al
lowed The umpire threw his sword up
stepped back and gave the command, and ii
an instant they were ut it, cut, clash, guard
and coun,crguard began with lightning likt
rapidity, every few moments sword woult
get bent, the umpire would stop the fight, thu
seconds rush forward and support the right
arm of the combatants, s,raighten tn,
swords and at IL they went again. A few
moments of this kind OF work and tuft OF
hair flew into the air, the umpire stopped
the fight stream of blood trickled dswn
the forehead of one, tho surgeon came for.
ward, shaved the hair, stuck on piece OF
plaster and at it they went again
BY the rules the actual fighting must last
fifteen minutes, or until one is so disabled
AS to be unable to proceed. The next duel
was between two old hands at it, their heads
were uncovered, only noviccs wearing caps
n ell Ic1,a mt of f,r l,<
third or fourth round sweeping cut from
one of the sharp swords struck one of the
combatants under the eye, gashing diagonally
down, cutting obliquely through the nose,
laying open his lip to the teeth and his low
or lip to the chin, most horrid wound; the
duel was then and there stopped and the
poor fellow covered with blood was led half
fainting from the arena. And so duel after
duel succeeded in rapid succession all
through the forenoon. Bismarck is said to
have,fought one hundred ducs.. in lIeidclburg;
and we saw many in Germany whose cheeks
was so cut and crossed with scars that it was
impossible to find fresh place for another.
Sometimes celebrated duclists come from
long distances from Bonn, Freiberg Han
over and other places to try their proves.
1t is a brutal, barbarous custom, relic of
the middle ages. 1t is not a part OF the Ger
man students ordinary education. 1t is
merely one of the eccentricities of the Ger
man student life. There are strict laws
against the practice and Bismarck lends his
power to discourage it, but like cur prohibit
tory laws, is rs much honored in the breach
as in the observance.
In all schools of higher grade, English and
French are also compulsory, the student must
pass rigorous examination, and docs not
receive his diploma unless he passes salts
factory tests, both in conversation and in
writing. The result is that all the better
classes OF Germans speak both English and
French with surprising correctness. The
gymnasums are degree higher, above these
come the universities besides the univer-
sites are great number of special schools
devoted TO special branches, art, engineer
ing, mining, forestry fish culture and other
The schools of forestry in Fret
berg is perhaps the best in the world. The
course Of study there is seven years, and the
student is taught not only the chemistry of
soil and plants and botany in general, but
also by experimental teaching how to pre-
serve the forests throughout the empire.
There is nothing or little left of the primeval
forest throughout Europe; all the forests
Tor which Germany is celebrated are the re-
suit of plantations preserved and fostcrcd by
he government.
Every piece of land which is not available
or agrlcultural:purposes is planted with the
rccs best adapted to the soil. The whole is
Under the charge of the over-forester. usually
person of high rank, who is aided by end
ess icutenants and under foresters. Some
u the forests in Germany are very large and
Ill are. exceedingly beautiful The under
rush is carefully swept away, all dead
and dead trees are carefully pruned
Is soon as dead so that nothing goes to
waste.
Along the sides Of the roads wherever trees
AN be made to grow, fruit trees are planted.
Throughout Saxony cherries attain great
and in May, when the cherries
'ome in blossom the whole country for
eagues about looks us if covered with newly
allen snow. To the ''cherry festival" ~ 1t
S called the whole population of Dresden
urns out in every conceivable vehicle and
lrivc to some point along the avenue, lead
ne out OF Dresden, on grand picnic. This
herry festival always takes place on the
bird day after the cherries. blossom, aud it is
really wonderful sight, to sec the trees for
niles il every direction covered with the |
White blossoms, and the smiling green fields |
'eneath, looking as though winter had come
N warm spring day, and the snow had
allen only on the trees.
Outside Of the cities within easy walking
distance are numbercss beer gardens and on |
sunday, after the German and his family |
as attended church (such OF them as 90 to |
hurch) they swarm to the country from the |
ow.st to the highest and there pass the re- |
hainder of tue day in eating and drinking |
eer until evening shuts down.
When an American takes drink he walks |
Up to the counter, calls for his beer or liquor, |
pens his mouth and pours ii into himself |
Without ceremony; but when German |
axes drink he gets in the shade of some |
'cautiful tree with pretty table in front of |
'im, surrounded by his family and then calls
OF his beer in large mug with pewter lid, |
.ept closed to.keep in the rroma and there |
Ups and smokes and lengthens his drink over
he space OF sometimes two or three hours, |
njoying every drop and seldom if ever TAX
ng anything TO do him injury. The Ger
mans are inveteratc beer drinkers and invct- |
rate smokers; and yet dyspepsia is disease |
ntirely unknown in Germany. The German |
abits of eating one would think would ruin |
heir stomachs in short space of time and |
ry the stomachs OF Americans in fearful |
manner. Immediately after rising, the Ger
nan has his breakfast, a little loaf of bread, |
cup of weak coffee and that is all. At 10 |
'clock he takes ''schnitzen," a sandwich |
nd glass of beer. Germans claim to have |
me hundred varieties of sandwiches and |
AVE no doubt that is about the mark The |
most common is small roll with slice of |
aw ham between. The Germans rarely eat |
am other than row. After schnitzen and
rom one to two o'clock comes dinner, |
sually consisting first of SOUP then the |
neat from which the soup is been made,
erved with potatoes; then roast of some |
ort with one or more vegetables and |
reserves; then pudding of fish but often
he fish is made TO follow the pudding then |
mother sweet dish of preserves or in its |
'lace large howl of salad one made with |
'ects, raw herring and cold potatoes mixed |
Up with oil and vinegar seems to be the ia
'oritc; afterwards cheese, bread and butter |
md then coffee and always wine or beer |