New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-20
GERMAN UNIVERSITY LIFE.
POVERTY. STUDY AND SOCIETY.
Connrinii 1871

he t1lle at the German universities n'tNci>Ho"h
many worthy youths there who literally "cultl-
,otcd the Muse on little oatmeal" The luXuri-
ons habits of the Oxford and Cambridge under
graduate arc unknown in Leipsic and jena and
rare even in Berlin. The Corps-students. who re-
card themselves as the (le of the universities may
have An occasional wine supper at their rooms, at
which the prophecies are not strictly Observed
bnt this is in their capacity as noblemen, not as
students To be q student in the smaller German
university towns is almost equivalent TO beng
moor and this universal practising OF economic
habits robs poverty of its sting. Training boy 10
become gentleman, the English universities
profess TO do is part of the German system ah0'
in poipt of fact, the gentleman, in the English
sense is q rare phenomenon III Germany. lhe un-
obtrusive self-asSurance and ease of manner which
distinguish the man of the world are not
acouired by porting over books aud listening to dis
courses on abstruSe topics; and long as the back
around of Opulence and refined surroundings is IN
evitably lacking i'll the lives of an overwhelming
majority the effort to produce the result without
The cause would necessarily be futile. The Ger
mans were therefore wise in fashionng system
which was in accord with their own economic con-
ditions and needs-a system which produces schol-
airs and may or may not produce gentlemen. FOR
this purpose it is the most admirable system 'ha1
has ever been devised 1t awakens in the student
century, is needed to counteract the fierce money
Getting spirit which rejects all standards but that
of wealth The enthusiasm for learning which one
finds among German students justites the obscrva-
+ion of Professor Mark pattison quoted with APP
pr.yal by Renan) that the smallest German UNI
versity, with its underpaid professors and hai1-
starved Priro-doceRten OutorS), aceompllshes more
for science than Oxford and Cambridge with all
their magnificent endOWments.
Personally / owe a debt of gratitude to Germany
which can never hope to repay. Few know what
study and learning in the narrower sense mean
before having spent year in LeiDslc or Dornh OF
Gottingen One learns to be ashamed OF one
shallow requirements, to dcIve patiently toward
the roots of knowledge and fearlcssly TO advance
Gf one has the talent beyond the boundaries OF inc
known However, it is not my purpose, IN the
present article, to dwell upon the serious phases
of German university life, but rather 10 cousiuel
some of its lighter aspects.
Ii is nearly thirteen years ago now that, arheu
with letter of introduction, presented myself IN
the study of famous German professor. lie re-
ceived me kindly and when, after chat about my
plan of study | arose to take my leave he asked
me suddenly:
"Uo Epeipen Hep' which might, perhaps, be ren-
dered IN English. "Where is your saioon'' or
where do you take your liquor y
1 replied that l had, as yet, made no selection
and was in no haste to make one.
"Ahw he said, that is all very well; but you
will have stupid time here aud be outside OF all
student life unless yOu make haste to select your
Epeioe. Mine is at No. street, and shall
be happy to have you come occasionally ana drIhA
a glass of beer with me there you Ike
That was his acknowledgment of the letter Of
in1roduction-to offer me the hospitality OF his
I found bovvcver LATER. that many of
American friends had had the same experience.
Only one can remember who received ar invita-
tion TO meet the family of the professor to whom
his letter of introduction was addressed.
And he happened to be both rich and weI-con-
nected His experience, however, was disastrous
in spite of its comic aspect The professor had
three daughters. all excellent girls, but as
is often the case with excellent gIis'
not eminent for personal attractivencss. They
were extremely cordial to the young AmcH-
can as were also their papa and mamma MY
guileless friend suspected no ulterlor designs put
was delighted at the rapid progress he made IN
German under the care of the three maldens.
Knowing nobody else in the city, aud being little
shy Of the rough ways and drinking habits
nj the students he found himself almost daily
drifting into the society of the professors daugh-
ters He made occasionally with charming impair
tiality) tentative remarks TO them o! a tender or
complimentary character. lie seemed to be under
tbe immersion that remarks uttered in German
were a mere linguistic exercise, like the red cow
of the grandmother in the green garden OF the rlch
count" 1t would have surprised hun TO De toid
that they might nave personal application and
might lead to complications. lie was. however,
soon 10 have his eyes opened. After having called
with great regularity upon the professors dangh-
ters for a couple of months, he began to be looked
upoD as a member of the family; and once the
mother of the young ladies asked him, IN street
confidence of course, upon which of the three III
particular he had fixed his heart. Some little I'M
pleasaatness had arisen, she added smilingiy rom
thc innartiallty Of his attentions. Ny friend felt
for n moment, as if the ceiling had tumoied down
on his head; bit quickly collecting himself ne
replied likewise in confidence, that he was III
serious dilemma. The three young ladies' were all
SO charming that he felt himself equally attracted
to all Would the Frau Profcssorin have the kind
ness 70 grant him vice.! for meditation, at the
end Of which he would return and make known TO
her his choice2 The Frau PrOGes5orn found TINS
nroper aud natural and granted the respite. 1t IS
needless to add that the American has not until
this dav made w his mind lie found 1t conven-
lent TO betake himself to another university shortly
after his interview with the Frau Professorin.
Another friend Of mine. though he was not so
well equipped with temporal advantages as the
hero of the triple courtsp found himself an object
of interest TO his landiady's daughter. He was III
vited to confidential coiees and literary teas. and
concluded thar as free lessons III the language these
were not Improbable investments Once, how
ever he grew little alarmed at the progress he
was making i'll the favor Of the fair damsel, ana mt
unon an easy way ont of the difficulty. He found
among the remnants Of his past folles the picture
of n beautiful American actress. This hc framed
handsomely and hung it up on the wall over his
bed simultaneously he invested in gold ring,
which he slipped upon the third finger OF his right
hand He received the congratulations OF the
family upon his engagement, and was hence!orth