New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
THE WAYS OF GERMAN pR0rESsORs
THEY ARE VERY LEARNED, BUT ALSO VERY
HUMAN.
American stage.


From Tic Roanoke Collegtan
The fact that the professors as a rule do not
pay much attention 10 their personal appear
ance, however, does rot by any means indicate
that they are insensbe to their hiSh social posi-
ton Indeed one IF their marked characteris-
ties which Il ey snare with their countrymen
OF all grades. is their keen sense Of rank and
station. Appointments to university position.
are eagerly sought. and 10 obtain them often
involves hard struggle and years Of tedious
waiting When a man has worked his way up
gradually through the various grades Of Doctor
l.ehrer, Oberlehrer, Privat Decent. Aussurordent-
licher Professor, Ordcntlcher Professor Geheim
rat and EXcellon2 his conception Of his own i'm.
portancc is not likely to decrease especially in
country where great Difference Is paid to rank.
He Is likely 10 resent anything. therefore, that
shows apparent Indifference or conternpt for his
socia! Importance. An illustration OF this was
an experience of an American lady of my &C
quaintancc. she went to call on a professor in
order to get his signature to her university book.
Either from thoughticssneS5 or ignorance she
made no special toilette for the occasion. and.
tut also a small package in her hand. The
learned man was rot only exceedingly cool but
positively rud. in his manner, yet the next day.
on meeting her under other circumstances he
was almost overpOwernsy gracious and polite.
a call, upon professor. whatever may be the
occasion. is very formal matter. and
animation is such solemn ceremony that the
prescribed rules for dress and conduct are al
most numerous and strict as those for a
presentation at the Court Of St James. No stu
cent would dare en1anger his success by not
driving around to the professors house in a
carriage of certain class. and arrayed in full
evening dress with high hat and white gloves.
AS an illustration Of the type Of professor who
fully appreciates his own learning and import
ance. take this instance: A certain learned man
whose name is familiar on both continents
recently lecturtns on the history Of philosophy
When he TO consider the state Of phi.
losophy at the present day. he concluded his
lecture with the remark: AT present there are
really only two philosophers Of any note IL
I,,~1,
this same distinguished scholar has received the
title of EXcelenZ which is very rarely conferred
on professor. He is connected with one Of the
smaller universities. and cnce received latter
ing invitation TO so to Berlin. but his own uni
versiiy and tOwnspeOple made such strenuous
efforts to retain their celebrity that. in his own
mind at least. the question Of his going or stay
ing had become one of national Importance Ona
day some WOrkmen were repairing the street
rear his home. and he naturally much dis
turbed by the noise Hastily throwing open the
window he called out angrily to the workmen
IF you don't 20 away and stop that noise, |
shall go to Berlin after ar' Quite in contrast
however is the modesty of Professor Mommsen
who recently. on the celebration Of his cighteth
birthday, was offered the title Of EXcellenz. To
the astonishment Of the German public. he re-
fused the honor and there was much specula-
ton as to his reasons for such an unheard-Of
step. In explaining his action to a friend, he
said: During my lifetime | have had To read
so many long titles in old inscriptions that the
simplest form always seems 10 me 10 DE tho best
Professor Mommsen is enough" But think II
being able To sign your name like this: Herr
GeheiIner Hofrat Professor Doctor b. Rector
Magnificus" or to see yourself referred to in
print as Seine EXcellenZ Herr Staats-und
Sanitartsrat Professor Doctor c.,
The fact that the German professor is not
merely a uure intelligence nor yet always a
schoane seee beautiful s0uD. as his country
men say might be- illustrated in numerous other
ways Among his many human frantieS. none
is usually more pronounced than his frequent
tendency to belittlc and discrodit The work II
other men IN his own particular department. 1t
Is VOL known for instance. that Of the special
lists in a certain branch Of theological learning
in Germany no two are on speaking terms
Mutual envy as well as the odlum thcologicum
may serve to explain this state Of affairs