Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-10
STUDENT DUELS.
The Brutal COmbats Carried On in the
Universities of Germany.

The Brutal COmbats Carried On in the
Universities of Germany.
In letter to the ,Sdrdtogian DR.. W.
Stillman describes the student duels of
Germany. There are, he writes, three
kinds of duels known to German students.
One is called the American duel, another
is the ''sable mensur" and the third is the
ordinary meusur, in which all the person
is protected except the face and head.
which are pecked away at with a small
flexible blade. The eyes are safe behind
iron spectacles, and there is really almost
no danger. In the first kind one must
die. Lots are thrown, and one must de-
stroy himself. In the second the danger
is midway letween the two others. Three
of the principal arteries on either side of
the body are protected, likewise the ewes.
but the chest, arms, head and face are left
to the mercy of the heavy, villainous-
looking sabre. One blow through the un-
protected heart and a mans dueling days
would terminate. The different kinds of
dueling represent as many grades of in
suits. To call a fellOw-student an ssignO-
ramus'' is all that is required to demand
the second kind. The first is largely re-
served to settle precedence in love affairs.
though Of course the maiden never mar
ries the survivor. L was invited to attend
a sable mensur" recently in Berlin, as a
guest OF one of the corps. Taking the ele-
waited road to the outskirts of the city, we
found the clans assembled in q quiet stbier
local' on great square. Representatives
OF all the student corps in the university
were there-red caps, blue caps, green
caps and black caps. Our arrival was
none too early, for no sooner had our
coats been laid aside than the assembled
students and guests sOlemnly arose, took
their beer mugs in their hand, and filed in
stately procession past the bar and into
the long adjacent room, called by courtesy
"a hail." which is hired by the corps to-
gether for dueling purposes. 1t was
patriotically decorated with German flags
on the walls, and pugilistIcally with saws
dust on the floor, which had been cleared.
At either end of the room was a stalwart
young gladiator, with Teutonic features
preparing for the contest. On the chairs,
close at hand, were lint, surgical instru-
ments and spOnges. Around were medi-
cal students, seconds. officials, sympa-
thiZers, and On-lookers. Everyone was
eXpectant, and the garcons passed around
the beer.
Presently the combatants were brought
up facing one another, their sword-arms
held aloft by attendants. The seconds
took their places and the blue cap was re-
moved from the head of the tall studentwhO
looked mad, and the red cap from the
head of the pale student who looked calm.
They were dressed only in shirts, trOus-
ers and shoes, and stood in position with
one hand held behind. The points of the
duelists were discussed and the garcOns
passed around the beer.
Everything was ready. The sabres
were crossed, the word was given and the
seconds cried ~loOse" The blades
flashed; there was a succession of clashes
and vigorous whirling of sharp steel
through the air. Suddenly loud cry OF
''halt" was given. There is pause, and
the student who looked mad has lost a
piece of his skin and shirt-sleeve to-
gether. A surgeon shameless the flow of
blood and the garcons pass around the
beer.
With the same fOrmalities the contest
begins. The atmosphere is cut into MANY
giblets. The pale student puts the most
science-his antagonist the most force
into his blows. The former is cool and
clever-the blood of the latter is mount
ing. The fencing is done with increased
energy. Again shout. They stop. The
pale man has a scratch on his right cheek
the tall man is losing some of his angry
blood from deep cut in the left side of
his face. Again more sponging-this
time longer-and again more beer. This
sort of thing must be kept up fifteen min
utes, actual fighting time, or till one is
kllleu OF OlbdDleus On bn6 WnOle i mad
rather see an amateur dog-fght. Again
they are at it, still more earnestly. Again
the blue cap gets cash, and his shirt
front is covered with blood.
This is not serious enough to stop the
brutal nonsense, and the final bout is be-
gun, The sabre of the pale student re-
wolves with the speed and precision of a
hy-wheel. They come So close that the
hilts of the swords hit. The tall man is
angry and in pain-the other steady and
watchful. Suddenly there is horrible
moment when the sabres miss the contact
and sweep kissing through the air, and
you expect TO see head decapitated. A
step forward. \ shout. The seconds
knock the blades up. The head of the tall
man drops upon his chest, and shows a
ghastly cash through scalp and forehead,
and the blood trickles down upon the
sawdust. Some one cries ''funf minuten,"
and the ''sable mensur" is at an end.
You heave sigh of relief, and are thank
full that no one was killed outright, and
the garcOn passes round the beer.