The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-06-04
STUDENTS IN MIDDLE AGES.
Unique Spectacle to the Observers of
the Nineteenth Century

The student world of the old"u TIM"
presents Il unique Sp"ctacl" to the oh
server of the Nineteenth century. When
instruction was about to begin. Il curious
sight WAS exhibited. Groups of students
are pressing toward the university from
every quarter Their bright dresses flash
along lonely forest ways. Now they form
Il part of Il caravan of merchants ma king
It's slow way along the valleys. or thcy
join themselves timid'y to tho rctiuu" of
som" knight for protection; al they float
down the dull. sluggish German streams
i'm the tratlicking boats. They stop for 4
day in the great cities through which they
pass i'm order 10 feast their eyes upon the
sights of Il new WOrld: they appear for a
time amid the crowds at the yearly fairs.
where they tell fortunes. or predict
cclipscs or sell charms and false relics. or
unfold tn" mysteries of tn" black art. 10
earn an honest penny to help them on
their way. Tonight they sleep in = cast"
court and enjoy tn" hospitality given t"
strangers; tomorrow Il friendly monastery
gives them shelter ami the WaNlaror :
food. They chaf the honest country pco-
pie and make love to the nlaidcn> with
their gay manner and SONGS. They seem
Ike the reckless. careless truuhadnurS
with their i"s;> and mCrrymakin@. TIL"
weather. students ri.- on hnrSchack: the
mobiles are accompanied 10y q rctinHc Of at
br entered ON tn" university hooks The
poor students. who hope 10y Il drink from
lhc mysterious fountain of knowledge t"
improve their prospects III lie, have no
baggage. The others carry Il pack con.
tainu" velvet or SatIn dnuhl"t. linen
shirts diary. I'm album. Il letter of in
irudu;tiun and som" book. usually Il
Gry,k Testament. I"r.ncr, ovid. l1autuS
| ar rctruuiuS. Most wear 4 sword az Il
nart of their dress. and for defense rs
well. for the hot blood of thrS" students
| constantly leads tu hroils. s. <
The new scholars were called i'll Sch0-
| laStic Latin "ucoviSti' noviccSl ''vul-
pccula" foxes. "vituli' (calycsl, blind,
'iunocrnt" and "incompletC, in diStinc-
| tiuu from other students, who We're the
| ''ahs-rluti' tahSolutrl. "galH dOmcStici'
| (curkS of the walkl. ''dominaStr
th"ssrsl. or. III German, "RaDpSchnabcl
| lgaN BIRDS. and hacChanttS. These elder
students watched >ollcitouSly over the
| initiation of tn" freshmen into academic
| life The latter were forced to submit 10
! the tricks and abuse of their seniors.
| often they We're subjected to the gravoSt
| indigmity and to the most mental services.
! soon after entering the university the
| freshmen underwent the ceremony of
! deposition n uuboolyiSiug fEnttOclpUncl.
| This was probably derived from som" jul
dicial proceeding. by which Il person be
! fore the court was released from certain
| legal obligations. The ceremony WAS
| called tn" laying off of the horns c'cornua
! drponcrr'D: the novice was called the
| horned t''roruUtUS"l. Similar ceremonies
| attended the initiation OF tradesmcn into
| guilds. In Holland tn" freshman was
! called = "grrrny." and tn" ceremony the
''ungrccniug." II was designed to repro
! sent div"Sting the freshman of his rud,
ness and defiIcment. and defeating him
/ to an intelligent life. He was dressed in
| an uXhdr. with the horns gravcly sur
mounting his head. He was sprinkl"d
! with earth to Indicate his primal rude
ness. In this condition he passed Il mock
examination. and was finally relieved of
! his hide and horns. Even tn" great Or.
! Martin Luther once attended a deposition
/ and delivered speech. when the son of Il
! friend was subjected ia this ceremony
! From University Life III tn" Middle
! Ages" 10y Prof. w. +. IIcwctt. in Har-
! pCr'S Magazine.