Chapter VI

Ceremonial Introduction to University and Burschen Life--The Student
youth of Germany, driven from the Burschenschaft, have fallen back
on their Chore-life--Complaints of late years that youths coming
to the University become involved in the dissipations of
Chore-life, to the prevention of their studies and detriment of
health and morals--these views combated by the Author--the
existence of a temporary excitement on entering University-life
accounted for--the Author, as one who passed through this life,
testifies to its advantages--Every University its own particular
tone and character--Peep at the past Life of the Universities, as
revealed in Zacchariae's "Renommist," and in a Drawing of 1730--
Singular and rude Customs formerly practised on the admission of
Students to the Universities--Freshmen or Branen, then subjected
also to many humiliations--the present condition of the Freshman,
now termed a Fox--Curious Anecdotes connected with the condition
of a Fox--Different ranks which a Student passes through who joins
a Chore, or Verbindung--in the Gymnasium, or school preparatory to
the University, he is a Frog--then successively a Mule, a Camel, a
Fox, a Fat-Fox, a Burnt-Fox, a Young Bursch, Old Bursch, and Mossy
Head--Satirical explanation of Student terms, by Herr Schluck--
Initiatory ceremonies at a Union of the Chores on creating the
different degrees of Foxes--Singing of "The Landsfather"--The
Fox-Ride, and its accompanying song--Burning of the Burnt-Foxes,
with the accompanying song, etc.

CHAPTER VII.

The Duel.--This is a practice of the Middle Ages, that has firmly
maintained itself amongst the Students--the Author's opinion of
it--its actual good or evil in the system--to be regarded
principally as a trial of skill in fence--mode in which these
Duels are contracted, settled, conducted, and fought out--At
Heidelberg these take place in a well-known house in the
Hirschgasse--Duel Costume, and different species of Duel--Anecdote
of a little Jew who fought one--the Duel prohibited by the laws--
the Academical enactments against it--Attempts of the Beadles to
seize the Combatants--their watchers--the Red Fisherman, their
great champion--Students' dogs sometimes join in the contest--
Penalties, and University Prison

CHAPTER VIII.

Characters connecting themselves with Student Life.--The Hofrath
Diehl--his History--the Flower-Boy, and Frau Gotlieben the
Fruitwoman

CHAPTER IX.

Private Life of the Student.--Visit of Mr. Traveller, the
Englishman, to the room of the Student Freisleben--his surprise at
what he saw--his friendly welcome--Description of the Room and its
various Decorations--Student word for comfortable--the Boot-Fox--
Origin of the word _School Foxery_, or pedantry--Wages of a
Boot-Fox--Expense of Living at the University--_Pendulums_
and _Knoten_--origin of the latter term--the House Philistine
and his duties--the Philose, the Besom, the House-Bursch,
and Room-Bursch--What it means to "Tail a Lecture"--
Dissertation-on-Dogs--A visit to the annual Dog-Muster---Students'
Dogs--their characteristics--one at a duel swallows up a Student's
nose--the little Dog Tambourli--the Student's love for his Pipe--
Pipes of various kinds, and in all their parts, described--Origin
of the word Fidibus--the philosophy of Smoking

CHAPTER X.

Rural and Summer Amusements of the Student.--Beauties of the
neighbourhood of Heidelberg--The Wolfebrunnen--the surrounding
Woods and Mountains of the Odenwald and Black Forest--Historical
associations--the Student sometimes takes longer excursions than
into these scenes--Excursions in a one-engine--Water excursions--
Field sports--The Students' Shooting ground--Kirchweihs, or
Wakes, described--the Students there--Scenes which arise with the
Handwerksburschen

CHAPTER XI.

Winter Amusements of the Student.--He joins gladly Social Parties at
the houses of the Inhabitants and of the English--finds much
amusement at the Reading-rooms, Billiard-table, and Balls and
Concerts at the Museum--Serenades--Song, "The Departure"--Skating
--pushing Ladies on the Ice in Sledges--gaiety of these scenes--
sledging parties by Torch-light--Whims of the Students on such
occasions--Instances of their schemes to satirize the attempts of
the Senate to check their expense in such things--in the evening
joins his Kneip