The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-03-22
THE WAYS OF GERMAN PROFEs.
 SORS.

do not pay much attention to their personal appearance, however, does not by any means indicate that they are insensible to their high social posi- ton. Indeed one of their marked char acteristics, which they share with their countrymen of all grades, is their keen sense of rank and station. Appoint ments to university positions are eagerly sought, and to obtain them of ten involves hard struggle and years of tedious waiting. When a man has worked his way up gradually through
 the various grades of Doctor, Lehrer, Oberlehrer, Privat Decent, Assuror- dentlicher Professor, Ordentlicher Pro- lessor, Geheimrat and Excellenz, his conception of his own importance is not likely to decrease, especially in q country where great difference is paid to rank. He is likely to resent any
 thing, therefore, that shows apparent indifference or contempt for his social position. An illustration of this was an experience of an American lady of my acquaintance. She went to call on a professor in order to get his sigma ture to her university book Either from thoughtlessness or ignorance she made no special toilette for the occa- sion, and, worst of all, appeared with not only her gloves but also small
 package in her hand The learned man was not only exceedingly cool, but positively rude in his manner, yet the next day, on meeting her under other circumstances, he was almost over-
 poweringly gracious and polite.
 A call upon a professor, whatever
 may be the occasion, is a very formal
 matter, and an examination is such a
 solemn ceremony that the prescribed
 rules for dress and conduct are al-
 most as numerous and strict as those for presentation at the Court of St.
 James. No student would dare endan-
 ger his success by not driving around
 to the professors house in a carriage
 of certain class, and arrayed in full
 evening dress with a high hat and
 white gloves.
 As an illustration of the type of pro-
 lessor who fully appreciates his own
 learning and importance, take this in
 stance: A certain learned man whose
 name Is familiar on both continents
 was recently featuring on the history
 of philosophy. When he came to con-
 slider the state of philosophy at the
 present day, he concluded his lecture
 with the remark. "At present there
 are really only two philosophers of any note in Germany. The other one lives in Berlin.' Now this same distin- guished scholar has received the title of Excellenz, which is very rarely con- ferred on a professor. He is connected with one of the smaller universities and once received a fattering invita- tion to go to Berlin, but his own uni versity and townspeople made such strenuous efforts to retain their celeb rity that, in his own mind at least, the question of his going or staying had become one of national importance
 One day some workmen were repairing the street near his home, and he was naturally much disturbed by the noise. Hastily throwing open the window, he called out angrily to the workmen: "If you don't go away and
 stop that noise, shall go to Berlin af- ter all" Quite in contrast, however
 is the modesty of Professor Mommsen | who recently, on the celebration of his elBHllelH plItnudy, Wdo olleieu ,hS liele of Excellenz To the astonishment ot the German public, he refused the hon. or, and there was much speculation as to his reasons for such an unheard-oi step. In explaining his action to 8 friend, he said: During my lifetime I have had to read so many long titles in old inscriptions that the simplest form always seems to me to be the best. Professor Mommsen Is enough But think of being able to sign youl ! name like this: Herr Geheimer Hof. rat Professor Doctor B., Rector Magnificus," or to see yourself re- ferred to in print as Seine Excellenz f Her Staats-und Sanitartsrat Profes sor Doctor G."
 The fact that the German professor is not merely a pure intelligence, nol yet always a schoene seele (beautifu | souD, as his countrymen say might bt | illustrated in numerous other ways | Among his many human frailties, non, | is susally more pronounced than hi l frequent tendency to belittle and dis credit the work of other men in hi! own particular department. It is wei | known, for instance, that of the spec | ialists in a certain branch of theologi | cal learning in Germany, no two art on speaking terms. Mutual envy, a! | well as the odium theologicum, ma!
 serve to explain this state of affairs Roanoke Collegian.