Chapter XXIX: Section 143: The Beer-commers proceed in the following manner. After

the presidents have cried, "ad loca!" and every one has seated himself, they command silence, and every one must pay the strictest attention to this command, upon which the song begins.

Section. 144.--When the song is ended, one of the presidents cries "_Smollis_, ye brother presidents," which is answered by the other presidents, with "_Fiducit_ and _Smollis_, gentlemen;" upon, which all the commanders answer "_Fiducit_."

_Smollis_ is, in this place, a kind of salutation; whence comes the word _Smolliren_, by which it is understood that the parties drink to a brotherhood; so that the two new friends or brothers, from this time forward, instead of the polite term "You," use to each other the familiar word "Thou." When two individuals _smolliren_ with each other, it is thus performed. The two kling, or touch their glasses together, drink them quite off, and then reach to each other the right hand, saying to each other, "Be thou my friend."

When this is done with a number in a Kneipe, they are accustomed, holding the glass in one hand, to link that arm with the other arm of the new Thou-brother, and thus turning and crossing to touch each other's glasses and drink them off, as already it is described in the Renommist.

The hands to the Smollis, entwined thus crossing--
"_Fiducit_, Sir Brother," together _antossing_.[39]

It is the custom in some universities, that all students address each other with "thou." This is called the "Thou-comment," in contradistinction to others; as Heidelberg, where the "You-comment" is in use. But students who in any manner are often associated in parties of enjoyment, will soon become "Thou-brothers," and it arises of itself amongst those who are of the same Chore. Therein it is the custom that the younger student always offers the Smollis to the elder; if the contrary happens, it must be regarded as a peculiar favour. That in the very different paths of life which succeed the university-years, it must give occasion to some singular scenes, when the early university-companions, who so quickly knit this kind of bond of amity, in after-life find themselves together again, and are obliged to use towards each other their familiar "Thou," we may well imagine.