lighting up the human breast-all contribute to this desirable end. These are the subjects of their conversation when the pipe and the Rhenish are enjoyed -these, the burdens of their vocal strains, at assemblies distinguished by the utmost frankness, but from which is excluded all aim at banter, that prolific parent of quarrels. The German student seems desirous of enjoying his youth in all the plenitude of its freshness. He seeks to rise above the sensible world around him, forming an ideal with regard to every thing, and abandoning himself so unreservedly to this sense of refined delight, that many have protracted for three or four years their university course.

are inefficacious with respect to what concerns the principles of honor or free opinion; and, cherishing a high and laudable portion of self-esteem, they are punctilious to a degree undoubtedly censurable. These meetings, however, are rarely fatal in their result; swords are the weapons employed, and the young men are skilful in their use; for fencing, together with other gymnastic exercises, forms part of the education of the German student.

During the writer's sojourn at Heidelberg, he made the intimate acquaintance of sundry collegians, and was of course known to a great number. He subsequently continued his travels on foot, knapsack on back and staff in hand; and thus, during the several vacancies, traversed a great part of Germany-especially the Hartz-meeting with many an agreeable companion amongst the fellow-schoolmen. To gain the confidence of any student one may occasionally encounter, it is only necessary to name some common acquaintance: from that moment the parties, if they take the same direction, pursue it together.

The liberty possessed by the student is inherent in the constitution of the universities; and the advantages resulting from such a system may be fairly held to counterbalance its defects. It seems not undesirable that a young man should early enjoy a certain degree of freedom, in order that he may learn (though occasionally at his own expense) to use without abusing it. School-boy restraints cease to press upon him directly he becomes a student. He is not compelled to Under the generic denomination of student may be follow such or such a course of instruction. If any found princes, dukes, counts, and the sons of poor peagiven professor should not be to his taste, he is not sants: some fellows worth a plum, and others with obliged to yawn over his lectures. In France, and scarce enough to purchase bread; youths of seventeen, some other countries, a young man must attend the and men from thirty to forty: in the public gardens, as dogmatic dicta of certain professors-because, thanks well as in the saloons, both nobles and the sons of to the principle of monopoly, there is no competi-humble citizens are recognised. There, flock young tion. The German student knows what will be men of every nation in fraternal assembly. It is chiefly expected of him when he quits the university, and at Gottingen, however, (a university peculiarly resortthat there are examinations whereto he will be sub-ed to by the aristocracy,) that the noble republicans of jected :—it is sufficient that he acquires the knowledge Berne, as well as the phlegmatic Englishman, (whose he should acquire-no one demands of him the where natural reserve is a little abated by contact with the or the how. The aim of collegiate studies should be frank continental youth,) are to be found. to develope the intellectual function-not so much that the student should learn, or exercise his memory, as that he should know, and ripen his judgment. To this end, a judicious portion of liberty should be conceded; for too much constraint retards every species of development. Science may be likened to a foresttree, which loses its beauty and vigor if we confine its roots, or bend and torture its branches. This spirit of freedom is quite in harmony with the German notions of the dignity of science, and of those who cultivate it—a sentiment among them truly characteristic and national. The university authorities, meanwhile, excite as much as possible a taste for study, and keep away all objects calculated to distract attention.

The ordinary principles of jurisdiction are almost null at these universities: no crime indeed escapes due punishment; but in many respects the collegians are privileged. Their general habits are strikingly opposed to those which contact with the world produces. Like the ancients, they live much in the open air, which is frequently resonant with their music. With out being either cynical or penurious, they can often dispense with even the commonest comforts. They are liberal to the last sous; have a particular language for every thing concerning themselves; and affect sundry peculiarities of costume.

The best-founded objection advanced against the lives and manners of these students is, the frequency of duels amongst them. They hold, that ordinary laws

Catholics and Protestants throw aside every feeling of religious animosity; even Jews, although greatly undervalued throughout Germany, are received into the general circle, if they display the principles of good fellowship. One man shows marks of indefatigable industry-another has a complete horror of ap plication: the conduct of one is regulated by the severest principles-that of another gives evidence of morals somewhat relaxed: the man of knowledge is elbowed by the man of pleasure. But, throughout the whole, circulates a spirit of cordiality, a feeling of brotherly confidence, a freedom from the trammels of etiquette, which one may seek in vain among other classes of society.

The students are denominated alternately by the classical term of frater in studio, and the familiar ap pellation of bursch (boy, companion.) Two several origins have been given to this latter appellation; one sets forth that, in the 13th century, the French king established pensions (bourses) for a certain number of students belonging to the university of Paris; such as enjoyed this gratification were styled bursarii, whence comes the term bursch. It is more probable, however, that the etymology, like the word itself, is German, coming from bur, baur, which, in the old German, signifies a vigorous boy. Besides, by this expression it is customary more especially to particularise those students who form part of the Burschenschaft, of which we shall speak by and by.

The youth who frequents the gymnasium, or initi- | best-trained animal. These dogs may be said to have atory college, is styled frosch (frog.) He is subjected become quite erudite; for, not long since, when it was to a discipline so severe, that if, during a journey in attempted, at Heidelberg, to impose a duty on them, a the country, he enters an inn to take beer, wine, or petition was presented in their name, and drawn up indeed any liquor save water-should he be discover- in much more independent terms than those used by ed, he is sentenced to eight days' imprisonment, and many an academical citizen. The students apply the the innkeeper fined, in default of his reporting the name of dog to any place of confinement; a circumcircumstance to the director. The frosch is submitted stance, the origin of which is as follows:-In former to sundry rigorous tests before he is regularly admitted days, when a new prison was erected, they gave it the into the university; and it is only after passing these name of the first individual incarcerated therein: the that he participates in the freedom of a student's life. celebrated Wallenstein, at that time a student at AltThe students lodge and board, or, in some instances, dorf, was condemned to imprisonment in one of these lodge only, among the inhabitants of the town, and edifices; but not being desirous of bequeathing his each man calls his landlord his Philistine. After cognomen to such a receptacle, he shrewdly passed his breakfast, the morning is spent in attending lectures, cur in first. or writing notes upon such as have been already heard. The dinner-hour is generally from twelve to one; and an abundant table of plain and wholesome food is provided at the very moderate charge of eight or nine florins (the German florin is in value about 2s. 4d.) a month. They resume their work until evening, and then assemble in the principal street of the town, which they promenade in parties of from two to twelve. At night they sup at the various taverns, where, assembled in large parties, and the labors of the day at an end, they occasionally indulge in a glass of Rhenish; or, should purses be low, and wine not procurable, the light-hearted youths content themselves with an humbler beverage, and seek consolation in singing:

Wine brings pimples and gout, my boy?

If you'd keep your complexion clear, Learn wisely to do without, my boy, And stick to the honest beer!

The personal appearance of the students is in itself peculiar. The make of their caps especially distinguishes them; as do also the ribands upon their breasts, the long pipe ornamented with strings, &c., the flowing locks, and large moustaches. At one period every university had adopted a uniform color for the little riding-coat, which forms an essential part of the ancient German dress. This garment (ordinarily black) | is short, and opens behind, with but one row of but tons, and a very small collar. To complete the suit, pantaloons of black or gray cloth are worn, half-boots, and a black bonnet with or without feathers. The chest is invariably exposed, neither is any cravat worn, but the shirt-collar left to fall back upon the shoulders; the long hair is parted over the forehead, and a tuft ornaments the under lip. The indispensable articles of a German student's baggage are, a knapsack for travelling, and a good ziegenhein, or short staff, whereupon the owner's name is engraved. Ziegenhein is the name of a village, at which a great quantity of these staffs are fabricated, and thence circulated throughout the different universities.

The young man's chamber is usually decorated with a dozen or so of pipes. A pair of foils is likewise to be found, for the purpose of fencing; and as almost every student must have his faithful dog, it is often a point of rivalship who shall possess the largest and

In each university the students select certain houses of public entertainment, wherein a particular room is set apart for fencing, and we are sorry to add, fighting. Here they go to work in true martial style; always, however, when fasting, in order that every thing should be selon les regles, and the wounds inflicted less dangerous. The person injured names the place of meeting; and so great is their complaisance, that the student who is not already skilled in the use of arms, is allowed a fortnight to exercise himself therein. Should the dispute exist between members of different universities, the understanding is, that they meet each other half-way.

At each affair of this kind, the following persons are considered indispensable: the two seconds, two witnesses, the umpire and the surgeon; and to these such spectators are added as it may be agreeable to the parties to admit. The duty of the seconds is chiefly to prevent blows being aimed too low, and to stop the fight whenever a wound is received. The witnesses should be impartial observers of all that passes on either side, and give their opinion thereon with candor; while the umpire decides any disputed point. A hurt is dressed immediately; and if it be but light, the contest is resumed. Every circumstance of this kind is denominated an assault. After the sixth assault, the satisfaction is held to be sufficient; and, whether the parties are severely or slightly injured, they shake hands, in token of complete reconciliation. Of course, among large communities, various occasions of personal offence arise; but the most deadly insult that can be offered by one man to another, and which is only to be expiated by an appeal to arms, is the application of the epithet, dummer junge (silly fellow.)

We should not conclude this sketch without saying a few words respecting the celebrated Burschenschaft, a secret association of German students, which has superseded sundry previous associations, and is still in existence. After the sanguinary struggle which the entire German people had to sustain against Napoleon, the young men, who had suspended their studies in order to fly to the succor of their country, re-entered the universities full of resolution and experience. The year 1817 brought together, at the chateau of Wartburg, (where Luther was incarcerated, and the works of Kotzebue burnt,) a great number of deputies from the different universities. At that place was conceived the idea of the grand Burschenschaft, which, according

to the intention of its founders, was to be universal, duelling-associating with an excluded person-nescientific, and patriotic. Strong in the purity of their glect of the laws of the Comment, &c. He upon designs, this band of true brothers proceeded in a public whom this latter punishment has fallen cannot be manuer until the unhappy event (the murder of Kotze- present at any assembly of the students, neither can bue) which rendered the name of Sand so conspicuous. he demand satisfaction if insulted: he is, in fact, uniAs that misguided young man had been a member of the versally shunned. Professors themselves-nay, even Burschenschaft, the society shared in the odium justly the bourgeois-are occasionally subjected to a sencalled down by his deed; and all participation with it tence of exclusion, if they injure either of the was for the future forbidden, notwithstanding the fact students, who have abundant means of annoying by was clearly proved that, as a body, it was quite guilt- such a sentence any man with whom they come in less of having provoked so criminal an act. A secret contact. Burschenschaft was then organised; and this, despite the proceedings set on foot against some of its mem-established in, or transferred to, the capital cities of bers, has never been destroyed.

The Court of Honor is one of the most useful institations of the Burschenschaft, inasmuch as it is a tribunal which aims at diminishing the frequency of duels. When a dispute arises between two students, the injured party is obliged to bring the question before this court, which, in the majority of cases, prevents a meetng. In a university where formerly affairs of this kind took place daily, six months have, since the establishment of the Court of Honor, passed without the occurrence of one assault.

The Comment is a collection of laws and regulations established among the students at large, respecting duels, festivities, and punishments. The latter are thus graduated :-The consilium abeundi, which involves no publicity; banishment from social meetings, either temporarily or perpetually-a sentence which, together with its cause, is communicated to the other universities; exclusion, which amounts to a forfeiture of honor, and is inflicted on account of violation of word-theft-fraud-cowardice-unfair conduct in

Of late years, several universities have been either

Germany, and still further mutations of the kind are spoken of. This system is of questionable utility. It has been said, that in the capitals are concentrated the great libraries and other scientific collections. But might not these be rather transferred to the university towns? for in metropolitan cities they are often merely objects of parade, or the resort of idlers. And why expose a race of high-spirited young men to needless temptations? why prematurely excite the slumbering passions? Is it in order to have the glory of repressing them when excited, or to give employment to the soldiers and the police?

The concentration of the universities in the capitals would be a death-blow to the moral strength of Ger many-their peculiar spirit would evaporate amidst the fascinations of play, theatricals, &c. Their independence would likewise be destroyed; they would be controlled by the several ministries, and conse quently retrograde; for continental governments are pioneers which always march behind the people in the path of reason and improvement. G. M.

Orlando. Nay, talk not to me-I will hear no Less sanguinary, but more potent still—

reason

Save that which honor dictates--Heaven and Earth!
Think of the insult-the indignity-
The degradation of an open blow!
And can you-can you ask me to be calm?

Sebastian. But, dear Orlando, you're too violent.
Orl. Violent, brother!-pray you listen to me.
Have I not always borne his headlong humor,
His overbearing, domineering spirit,

With the most patient and submissive meekness-
Have I not sat and let him rail at me

In such a way as would have moved a saint,
And never stirred a muscle-all because
I knew the man was of a temper heated
By nature and indulgence-but a blow-
That is a pass my patience cannot brook,
Even from Eribert; he shall answer it.

The most unearthly attribute of man!
Does it alarm you, that I ask your soul
T'assert its native dignity and glory?
Would you root out the god-like nature in you.
And act the demon, pushing heaven aside,
And taxing hell for vengeance? O for shame!
I thought you owned more wisdom?
Orl.
Sir! I think,
Since sneering is the mode, some other men
Besides Orlando, show a lack of wit,
Especially when they usurp the seat

Of judgment, and advise to shameful deeds-
What! would you have me go and crouch to him
To Eribert, my enemy, and beg him

Seb. A man by passion swayed, my dearest brother, To trample on me, that I may forgive him!

Is more an object of our kind compassion
Than of our vengeance. You must e'en forgive-
Forgive and pity the poor man's infirmity.

Orl. And bid all Arragon behold my shame!
Never; by all the saints I swear it, never.

Seb. Why now you are as bad as Eribert-
What, will you, brother, play the madman, too?
Because a creature, mov'd beyond his reason,
Has stricken you with his hand, must you too rave,
And prove yourself as much in wrong as he?

Orl. Sebastian, you're my brother-bound to me
By all the fondest feelings of the heart-
But, as you love me, counsel not dishonor-
That blow has stain'd me-all the world beholds
The mark upon my fame-I cannot bear it-
I cannot bear the agony of scorn-

I cannot bear the world's derisive smile-
Twill call me coward-can I hear that word,
And walk unmasked among my fellow men?
O, there's a taint upon me,
and remains

What will the world say?

Seb.
Ah! 'tis there again!
The world-the world-the world-your precious
idol-

To which you fain would sacrifice your all-
Your life, your peace, your soul! O brother, brother
What will the world say!
Wherefore need you

care?

Its breath cannot destroy the sunshine here-
It cannot take away the life of life,

The consciousness of virtue; that is yours
Mid the world's loudest laugh-the world without it
Will be a desert. Do not act the child,
And throw away your substance for a bauble!
What if you throw yourself before the steel
Of the now frantic Eribert, and prove,
With sacrifice of life, your love of honor-
What will the world say then? "Twill call you fool
Altho' it may not coward, and your title
Will be secure to both; for he who dares not