The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-27
TRETTSCHkE.
"Reminiscences OF Him by Former Pupil
at the University OF Berlin.

To THE EDITOR or TIE SUN--Sir: Cool
work. that Treitschke story in IiE SUN
of November Is. / was one or Ireils.h-
kCs pupils and know how true 20 mo
the portrait OF him you give IS. He was
the most popular professor at the nj
vcrslty OF Berlin as long as he was able
to hold his post.
shall never forget my first morning
under his tutclage. 1t was tho beginning
of a winter semester but despite that'
because it was Tretschke, the auditorium
was crowded. / had just come from the
gymnasi um at Weimar and spoke Ger
man. IL do say it myself. IA well as any
OF my fellow students. | opened my note
book ready TO wrre, but my pen failed 10
JOt down Il word, as did not understahd
a syllable. | began TO wonder what ailed
Inc. Had suddenly forgotten my second
tongue? 1 listened closely fo- minutes,
but to no avail.
looked tow ard the platform. There
was Professor Trcitschke without doubt. A
tall handsome. dark man, with Roman
nose. "A poln;ed beard, partly gray. lie
was impressive, looking the German
Prussian Junker. Deep tones OF some
kind were coming from his lips, but they
meant nothing to me. had never heard
such a language. At last. bewildered. |
began to look rather stealthily at tho
student next TO me. ! saw that he had
no, written a line glance at the book
OF my nelghbor on the other side revealed
also an untouched sheet. ! took courage.
do you understand him. asked my
colleague.
Not "A word" answered.
"Nor l." he replied.
We looked about tho room and saw
many staring students pencil In hand
but motionless. Half an hour passed thus
when almost suddenly | began to distLn-
guish words. and then sentences began 90
unfold their meaning and toward the end
OF the discourse | was. Ike Faust, TAX
ing notes rs though the Holy Ghost was
debating To- mo"
The lecture ended. The professor
bowed and disappeared. Inquiry among
tho older students explained soon our
trouble and disuay. Tretschke was
deaf deaf a. post. and heard not a word
OF his own delivery. lie did not pause a {
commas or periods his voice rarely fell.
lie simply rattlcl on. weaving sentence
into sentence with no regard FOR punctua-
ti0r or infection. lie was unaware OF the
eft"ct OF his discourse. totally unaware
OF course.
but what revelation when 7 and rho
other freshmen became accustomed TO his
voice and manner, Va did not wish TO
miss word. for every sentence was
polished eloquent. the lectures were
literature.
lie W.. BY all odds tho mos; beloved
professor at Berlin, and the most Webster
ian ln his periods. lie had larger classes
than any " hs colleagues. and on me
days OF his "publ.cs.' or public dis
courses held once a week. when prvi-
Legged citizens Of Berlin were allowed 20
listen ;o him, the largest hail OF the uni
ycrsl,y was unable - hold hs admirers
Literally, with the students there were
thousands.
Then it was that ne otercs. expressed
his Prussiau views. and talked OF The
future Prussia. and 50 forcio!y and clo-
queitly that even IN American repuhl'-
can could not ref~I.n from Joining In the
great applause. Treitschke WAS a Irus-
sian ~ the prusSiaus
ROBERT JoHNsToNr MooSEY.
CHICAGO. November %.