Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-02-28
Special to the Leader .

eHJ lTCCn JnhJ VI OIlleT GeTnhh I'M
versities. Each University seems to
have an individuality and particular
patronage. In Bonn is a very large
representation of the German nobility
with its consequent mode of life while
in Halle there is altogether another
class and very few of the nobility.
There are certain customs. however,
which are quite universal. The var
ious Corps, Vereins, or as we express
1t, fraternities, are represented more
or less in all the Universities-th
Kneippe prevails quite generally as
does the Mensur a form of duelling.
The Corps are organized upon So
cial basis and therefore the lines of
caste are very sharply drawn. Each
organization has it's characteristic col
ours which are worn as a band across
the breast extending from the should
ers to the waist. Usually this is ac~
companied by cap of the predominant
ing color. These caps are of two Kinds
the Sturmer and Mute. The Sturmer
is only worn by the most advanced or
ganizations. This Of course refers to
social prestige. Of the fifty-two YER
eins in Bonn only seven societies wear
the Sturmer. The Mute is plain
cap of the predominating color of the
society made of cloth or velvet, while
the Stuerme is much like our soldier
caps on very exaggerated scale and
is made of silk. The members of the
Corps which includes the Royalty wear
white Sturmer-their colors are
black white. black. Bismarck and the
| present Emperor were distinguished
members of the Bonn Corps in the
earlier days and some interesting
stories are toDii of their soiourn. 1t is
said that the University prison still
bears carvings upon the walls which
go back to the time when Bismarck
was not an unfreguent visitor there.
This prison. by the way, while it is a
decided feature CT the institution is
used but very little in these later years,
but in earlier days it was an import
ant factor in education.
The Kneipe is a social gathering of
the student corps in their society hall.
These Knefoes occur sometimes every
night during the week and never fewer
that two evenings a week are devoted
to this function They are purely So
cial gatherings where the students
drink, smoke and sing. While the
Kneipe is not exactly a compulsory
function yet student in good stand
ing is usually found at his post and if
he does absent himself he is supposed
to remain within the seclusion of his
own domain and not indulge in social
functions elsewhere.
Upon the lower class men or "Fuch-
Sc, as they are called, is this life most
telling. During the first year at least,
students as class do not assume to
study and it is not uncommon for a
young man to spend an entire semes-
ter Ia term of five months) and hear
not more than two lectures. Indead
their energies are usually expended +
recovering from one Kneipe and get,
| ting ready for another. There is a
proverb commonly heard in Bonn
which translated saws: Freedom in
teaching, freedom in learning" and the
Bonn students see to it that this pro-
verb is faithfully exemplified.
Usually the later years of college
life are taken with more seriousness
although / have in mind one young
man who is now spending his seventh
year in Bonn and is apparently no
more ready for the final leave-taking
than when he first appeared on the
scene. Indeed the life seems each year
to have new and added attractions.
When q student wishes seriously to
work at the end of the second year he
ship in the corps and is henceforth
known as an "Alter Mann" (old man. }
The Mensur seems quite universal
among German students and dates
back in history to the beginning of the
Twelfth Century when two famous
knights engaged in combat, One was
slain and the other received wound
on the face which left scar for life.
Perhaps 1t is not excessive to say that
fully half of the students at Bonn duel.
cannot say as to the number in Halle
or Marburg but have seen number
of scars and very many students still
inthe bandage state. They are always
conspicuously present on the streets
and at classes just after an engage
ment.
This practice of duelling was very
repulsive to me at first but later it has
seemed quite as rational to me as many
of our scorts and 1t certainly is more