Morning journal and courier., 1889-04-25
THE HERB PROFESSOR.
Ike Is an Amiable Gentleman Mod. est, Sensitive. and AboninablJ

est, Sensitive, and Aboninably -rresscd.
 From the New York Sum-
 kIven Germans consider the German pro- lessor rather curious character. The quaintness of his appearance, his absent- mindedness his mannerisms in the lecture room, and hundred other personal pecnli- arities are famous throughout the father land.
 The first thing about the German profes- sor to impress Itself upon Americans is his clothes. They don't fit him. The tails of his frock coat always cross, and the collar Is always couple of inches or more from his neck. The front of the coat is generally big enough for two German professors. The legs of his boots, which he wears summer and winter, are too large to let his trousers get in onjunction with his feet. In winter the professor carries pudgy black umbrella, and in summer a pudgy white or blue one to protect him from the sun. This umbrella is the German professors trade mark. The coat of the professors dress suit is usually 80 big for him that it could be buttoned around him twice.
 Nevertheless the professor is not alto
 
 would sooner walk the streets in his shirt sleeves than enter a drawing room without having both hands covered with gloves of just the proper shade, and he suspects of disrespect the student who calls upon him in light coat without gloves. To call upon a professor in light colored bobtail coat is little short of an insult, no matter at what time of day the call is made.
 Although nearly every real Germ8n pro- lessor is a specialist of note and an author of reputation, he is, in a way, tremendously modest. He securities into the lecture room through the smallest possible crack between doors, hurries to the desk without apparent ly noticing the stamping of feet with which the students greet him, draws some old yell low leaves from little black leather sack, and, with an embarrassed duck of the head
 and "Meine Herren," begins his lecture. Anything unexpected confuses him. If the students applaud one of the yellow jokes from the yellow lecture leaves harder than their fathers did, the professor blushes, shutters, and catches tight hold on the desk with both hands. If in the private semi- nary 8 student asks an unexpected question, the professor gets into bad way at once and passes through all sorts of colors, temperat- | ure, and contortions before he can rally him. self to give the adequate answer. In discus l sions he is lamblike and tolerant till you press him hard; then he loses his modesty, ! temper, and tolerance, and roars disapproval | of everything that his researches don't prove | to be true.
 The German professor is polite and sensi- l tive. He never forgives any neglect of l courtesy toward him on the part of 8 stu 1 dent, and many student who has been 1 plucked in examination knows this only toe l we'll. The professor is never so absent minded in the street that he forgets to bow 1 to any one of hundreds of students who have called upon him. He recognizes young | S.l.. .Ik srl ~A rl, Freshman Schmidt does not recognize him. | Freshman Schmidt gets hurt later when he if | trying to become Herr Dr. Schmidt, and ths I professor blocks his way with questions that | the great Bismark himself couldn't answer. | If, however, young Freshman Schmidt al- | ways lifts his hat politely and ducks deep te l him, the professor lifts his old-fashioned hat with old-fashioned Fceremony and makes 6 | mental note to the effect that young Schmidt | deserves a warm place in his heart. This | lowing on the street, laughing at the time. l worn jokes in the lecture room, wearing
 proper German coats and gloves of the right
 shade while calling, helps student more ! toward getting Ehigh degree in exami- | nations than a good many gallens of mid l night oil.
 1 The German professor is not so exclusively a bookworm as is usually supposed. He is 1 well informed on current events throughout l the world. He can surprise Americans witt | HIS kuOWlouSo O1 Sl0F6lhuuS phEU III AIu6I1 | can politics and of the condition of the American navy. He can talk more correct ! ly and brilliantly of the influence of Hamil | ton, Jefferson, Calhoun, Clay and Webster | upon their time than two thirds of the well read American men. He is equally at home
 when English, French, or Italian politics is
 in question. He is also, oftener than not, jolly good | fellow, anxious as any one for his share of
 wine, beer, and cigars st a dinner, and rare- | ly averse to hand or two at skat. He does l not think less of Herr Bummler, who comes to lectures smelling of beer and cannister tobacco, than of Herr Schulze, who smells
 only of his own unwashed self.
 In short, the average German professor IS
 a nnnctiIious. sensitive, liberal-minded gen
 tleman with rather quaint exterior. He is
 warm hearted and thoughtful, as all Ameri cans. who have studied alderman universi- ties know. He is simple and unaffected, notwithstanding his reputation for learning | He is kind to every student who is kind te him, and never misses an opportunity to gel