The Student Life of Germany Part 9

Free is the Bursch!

Stosst an! Free speech! live it! Hurrah, hoch!

He who knows the truth yet dare it not speak, Despised for ever remain the sneak.

Free is the Bursch!

Stosst an! Bravery, live it! Hurrah, hoch!

He who counts the cost ere the battle hour, Will basely stoop to the hand of power.

Free is the Bursch!

Stosst an! Burschen-weal, live thou! Hurrah, hoch!

Till the world is consumed on the judgment-day, Be true, ye Burschen, and sing for aye-- Free is the Bursch!

After the singing of every verse they _stossen an_, or meet gla.s.ses, and whatever quant.i.ty of wine the _Pawk-Bursch_ drinks, be it a half or a whole choppin, or even two choppin, the unhappy Brand-Fox must drink as much. Wo to him that falls into the hands of a thorough toper, who is inclined to run him hard. After the conclusion of these ceremonies the _Commers_ is commonly held, so that many a young Bursche on returning home is pretty much in the condition of the Austrian who had been at a Baccha.n.a.l-party, and was seen, on its breaking up, by one of his companions standing in the middle of the square in which his house lay, with his house-door key in his hand, which he was swinging from one side to another in an extraordinary manner. "What are you doing there?" asked his friend. "Ah," said the man, "the houses are all running round the square, like mad, and I'm waiting till the right one comes. It has been here several times already, but somehow, it has always escaped me."

CHAPTER VII.

THE DUEL.

Shall I for fame and freedom stand, For Burschen-weal the sword lift free?

Quick blinks the steel in my right hand, A friend will stand and second me.

_Crambambuli._

The duel is one of the few inst.i.tutions of the Middle Ages which have come down to our times. Club-law, shaken to its foundation by the unceasing exertions of the German Emperors, must give way before a pliant and cunningly calculating policy. We see only in the duel its still surviving sparks, and this we see more commonly resorted to amongst students, than amongst any other cla.s.s, any other corporate body; and, moreover, we find the German students making use of it to do themselves justice more frequently than all others, and how can we wonder at it? Where a great number of young men live a long time together, there, ever and anon, will certainly disagreements arise.

This we see to be the case every where, and it must the oftener arise amongst students, who, streaming from so many different places, with so many different views of things, which early education has implanted in each mind, many of them, moreover, placed high by birth, now find themselves placed as it were on a level, that they may enter into the necessary intercourse. "There is no love without strife," says an old proverb, and accordingly this gathering together, this dividing and coalescing into separate companies, which takes place more in the German universities than in those of any other country, must inevitably lead to more frequent disputes. Moreover, the free, developement of all physical and intellectual powers, in which the German students especially delight, must more easily occasion differences than is the case amongst other cla.s.ses of society; and therefore we find the duel even more frequent amongst them than amongst the military cla.s.s. But if it enjoy a legal toleration in the military cla.s.s, as being considered to a certain degree necessary, we must admit that amongst students, where it is punished by the laws, it wards off worse things, and as an unavoidable evil could not be very easily or speedily annihilated.

Can we blame very severely rash and impetuous youth, which, in the feeling of its strength fancies that it can fight out and achieve any thing--which has not yet learnt to accommodate itself to the notions of strangers and the opinions of others--if it betake itself to other weapons than well-considered words and the discreet pen? And regarded from this point of view, the duel appears an evil small in comparison, and much to be preferred to the cudgel to which the _Handwerksburschen_, the journeymen artisans, addict themselves; and from which, we suppose, they have acquired the appellation of Knoten, which is contemptuously given them--as people who, to settle their quarrels, have recourse to a knotty stick--_Knotenstock_. It is very rare that a student degrades himself by the use of the cudgel, and this offence would be even more strongly punished by the laws, while it would be visited by the students' own court of honour with the _Verruf_, or Bann. Nor must we forget that in the interval between the offence and the duel, time is afforded for a more quiet consideration of the rashly-spoken words, and a possibility created for the withdrawal of them. But the duel, has many times grown in such a turbulent manner that it has required all the force of the laws to repress the rage for combat, which often surpa.s.sed all conception. As the tournay of the Middle Ages degenerated, so has this Middle Age practice now lost much of its original signification; and far the greater number of duels serve, not to terminate disputes between individuals, but to afford an entertainment to the Ch.o.r.e, which is rendered doubly attractive by the charm of danger. The origin of almost every duel would prove the truth of what we have here said.

Little matters often conduct to great evils; and though we are disposed to consider the duel, as ordinarily fought, no very great evil, yet the causes out of which it springs are proportionably still less. Honour is truly a thing which does not admit of much modification, or suffer much tampering with; and what will not a strong phantasy see in any thing with its microscopic vision? The delicate and exaggerating nature of these qualities, reminds one in fact of the sportsman who happening to put on a pair of spectacles of much greater magnifying power than usual, suddenly fired off at a fly which pa.s.sed before his eyes, taking it for a partridge. Many a one vexes himself likewise when others are pleased. He is not in good humour, and their satisfaction or equanimity is an offence to him. A country fellow was angry with a traveller for asking him whether the next village was far off, when its first houses were only a few paces further on. He knew that; but he did not consider that the stranger could not know it, and what was more, he had himself been thinking neither of that village nor any other, but only that he had just lost a lawsuit. In short, every one knows how it is accustomed to happen in such affairs. A son of the Muses is in a bad humour, and so any thing gives him occasion to call thee a _dummen jungen_; or he sends to thee a _dummen jungen_, and the business is settled. The conveyance of such a message is generally consigned to a student of some standing, who knows how to conduct himself in such affairs.

We above all things counsel him who is no friend to the duel to banish that little word "_dumm_," stupid, entirely out of his mouth; for if he uses it to a student in the presence of another, the student, were he his best friend, must challenge the user of the unlucky term to fight, unless he recall the offensive expression. Every duel drops through, where the challenger recalls his _dummen jungen_, and this he can do with unblemished honour, if he has convinced himself that the other did not insult him purposely. Yet no student is willing to do this frequently, lest it might appear that he would cut a swell with challenges, and yet has not really the courage to fight. Every duel must be announced to the convention of seniors, which, if the affair goes off in smoke, must see that the challenge is returned as null. In earlier times the insulted party, that is, the person who heard the above opprobrious name applied to him, sent immediately to the offender a cartel-bearer, to inform him that after what had occurred, he must fight him in this or that manner.

Come I athwart a proud _Pomadenhengst_,[17]

Who with full sails of stale and puffed-up pride Draweth me near--I tread upon his toe.

Thereat he wonders;--I tread on it again;-- Then grows he wroth:--"Hark ye," he cries, "was that Foot on purpose set there?"--"No, it was the heel,"

"The heel--So? Nay, that find I very strange."

Then add I--"Oh, do me this only favour-- Find _nothing_ strange--_thou art a_ Dummer Junge!"

At the present day people spare themselves this trouble, and also hold the time not so exact that the duel, as formerly, must come off within three days. As we have before observed, the weapons with which all student duels are fought belong to the Ch.o.r.es. An insulted party now, therefore, addresses himself to one of the Ch.o.r.es--that to which he belongs, or to which he has attached himself as a friend, though not a member--and prays the use of these weapons. His request is granted; if he be not a member he pays a certain sum for their use; and at the time which is agreeable to him, the Ch.o.r.e sends a Bursche to the _Ch.o.r.e-Kneipe_, where it is expected the challenger will be found, to announce to him the appointed day and hour of the duel. It is not necessary to name the place, as that is almost always the same, at Heidelberg being the well-known _Hirsch-ga.s.se_, or, in plain English, Stag-lane. The students term this "to fix one." If this hour is convenient to the challenger, who has thus been fixed or determined, the Ch.o.r.e the same evening sends a Fox to the _Pawk-doctor_, a surgeon who regularly attends all the duels.

In what manner the duel shall be fought, the insulted party need not yet make known. Up to this point we know nothing more than that it is to be fought with swords. The usual weapon amongst the students is a long two-edged sword, with a basket hilt, round which the colours of the Ch.o.r.e are wound. It is long and flexible, in order that the blade may throw itself over that of the opponent when he parries, as the duel is generally fought by cutting and not by thrusting. This sword runs not to a point, but is, as it were, at the end cut square off. In some few universities they fight in the Paris fashion, that is, by lunging with the rapier, as in Wurtzburg, Jena, and others. If the cause of offence or injury is heavy, they resort to the crooked sabre, or to pistols. In such cases, the person who gives the offence implying the challenge, does not style the insulted party a _Dummen jungen_, but an _Infamen_, an infamous fellow.

The crooked sabre is a dangerous weapon of great weight, resembling in its curve and length the dragoon sabre, and occasions the deeper and more dangerous wounds, in that the duellist having made his stroke draws it back with full strength, and is thus in a condition to cut through every thing which comes within the sweep of his curve. It requires strength to use it well. Student with student only can make use of the Schlager, or regular duelling sword. With those who are not students he fights with the crooked sabre, or with pistols; with a military man, with the straight sabre, which also is a dangerous weapon.

By far the fewer number of duels spring out of actual insults or injuries, or rather we should say, the student seldom fights because he is insulted, but insults because he wishes to fight. Contests, on account of actual and genuine insults, are generally amongst the _Camels_, or those who do not belong to any Ch.o.r.e: seldom amongst the Ch.o.r.e members. When these, however, become, on any occasion, very hostile to each other, or have a particular desire to measure one another's skill, this is always fought in the Single Round, of which more anon. But that duels may not be wanting in which the Bursche may set his bravery in its true light, a fine opportunity is afforded by the so-called Allgemeinen, or general Kneips, which are held every Friday. We shall farther on, come to these again.

When the Ch.o.r.es are here a.s.sembled, each _kneiping_ at its own table, it requires but a trifling spark to put two Ch.o.r.es, who for some time have already been in a state of electrical excitement, into thorough fire and flame. A Bursche comes over from one table to another, listens awhile quietly to what is here saying, but soon finds an opportunity to quiz or ridicule this or that; to make himself merry over the weapons of the Ch.o.r.e, or its last _Commers_. Like is compared with like: the conversation grows continually warmer; more and more from the other table keep coming over, and mix themselves in the strife. This becomes momentarily hotter; finally, the senior himself comes over, and challenges the other senior to a _Ch.o.r.e-hatze_. By this is understood a regular duel between the whole of the two Ch.o.r.es, man with man. In a similar manner a similar great contest springs out of the quarrel which two individuals seek with each other out of _special malice_. When these give the challenge at a general Kneip, then follows a general challenging, the friends of both the parties following the example.

And challenges by scores are seen, Because the wit is very keen.

The following persons are necessary to a duel, besides the two duellists; two seconds, two witnesses, an umpire, and the surgeon. The room in which the duels are fought at Heidelberg, is the well-known room of an inn on the side of the Neckar opposite to the city, finely located in the valley of the Hirsh-ga.s.se. Thither see we the Sons of the Muses often, betaking themselves in troops, to witness a contest between two of their most famous swordsmen. When a duel is determined, the room, or ball, as it is termed, must be secured for the appointed day. The room is regularly hired for these purposes by the Convention of the Ch.o.r.es, and its rent is defrayed out of the Ch.o.r.e-chest, as before observed, where also it was remarked that the use of it and the weapons is hired for particular occasions by the Camels. The Ch.o.r.e to which the challenger belongs, or with which he has a.s.sociated himself, secures the hall by marking the Ch.o.r.e sign on the floor with chalk. By this it acquires the right to occupy it for two duels, and must then, if wanted, surrender it to another Ch.o.r.e.

"Solemnly," says Hauff, in the Memoirs of Satan, speaking of a duel, "was each individual conducted into a chamber, his coat taken off, and the Paukwicks, that is, the armour in which the duel is to be fought, put on." Each duellist is, in fact, conducted into a chamber by his witness and second, and clothed in the duel costume. Some trifling changes take place in this from time to time, but it consists, substantially, of the following pieces. A lesser and a greater cap, according to circ.u.mstances hereafter noticed, and which can be made tighter or looser, but which is generally worn loose, so that the blows may take less effect. A tall cravat, which protects the throat, and commonly reaches up to the nose, but this is put on in the hall immediately before the fight commences. The binding of the arm is particularly important, that it may afford it the greatest possible protection, at the same time that it does not impede the action of the wrist and elbow. For this purpose is used a fine leather glove, bound round and secured to the wrist with a silken riband. This binding of the glove must be very carefully performed, so as to defend the sinews and arteries which abound here, as much as possible from injury. The hand is protected by the basket-hilt of the sword. The duellist takes the end of the riband which secures the glove in his hand until a similar one has been pa.s.sed round the elbow. The _stulp_, a thick and well-quilted cover for the arm, made of silk, is then drawn on, fitted down upon the glove, and being fastened there by the riband which also secures the glove, and at the upper part of the arm by other ribands.

Another bandage, called the axillary knot, has frequently also been brought under the shoulder to defend the axillary arteries from injury.

The last piece of the duel-costume consists of the paukhosen, or duel-trousers. It is made of leather of uncommon thickness, and well stuffed, and comes up so as to form a sort of cuira.s.s, though without iron, such as the soldiers of Columbus used to wear. High as it reaches, it yet leaves a good part of the breast uncovered. It is laced together behind by means of leathern thongs. A thicker glove is fastened to the paukhosen behind for the left hand, or should the duellist happen to be left-handed, for the right, to keep it out of the way during the fight. Before the combatant was thus attired, he had not only his coat, waistcoat, neckcloth and braces taken off, but his shirt sleeve also slit up from the wrist to the shoulder, so as to give full freedom to the action of the arm, on which account a duel-shirt is frequently kept for the purpose, and put on before going to the place of contest.

The whole of this duel-suit is calculated for a man of ordinary size, and therefore little fellows often cut a very laughable figure in it.

They are more protected in it than larger persons, but at the same time are more enc.u.mbered. The second clothes himself in similar duel-trousers, and puts on a cap with a large front, or a hat, and the large leather _stulp-glove_ covers his arm. The witness requires only a leathern glove on one hand, to enable him, if the sword of the combatant gets bent during the fight, to straighten it out again for him.

When the two duellists are equipped, they are conducted into the hall, and whilst the remaining particulars are adjusted, they walk up and down, each supporting the arm which has to wield the sword on his witness. The seconds now measure out the distance, and determine it by two lines of chalk. Within these two lines the combatants must fight, and behind which they are not allowed to retreat. If either of them does this three times, he is dismissed from the contest with shame and insult. The second of the person challenged has the right to choose the umpire, the second of the challenger commands. Now first has the challenger to declare in what manner he will fight; but till we have said a few explanatory words, must the antagonists restrain their impetuosity.

The different sorts of the duel progress, from the mildest to the most severe, in this order:

1. Twelve rounds with the great cap.

(_a_) With a conclusive wound.

(_b_) Without a conclusive wound.

2. Twelve rounds with the small cap.

(_a_) With, etc. (_b_) Without, etc.

3. Twenty-four rounds with the great cap.

(_a_) With, etc. (_b_) Without, etc.

4. Twenty-four rounds with the small cap.

(_a_) With, etc. (_b_) Without, etc.

5. One round with (_a_) (_b_)

6. A round without cravat or bandage.

Before we proceed to the explanation of these terms, we may remark, that the same rules apply to the crooked sabre, but if it be used, the combatants generally fight what is called the single round, and that duels with pistols are conducted in the different modes in which other people fight those duels. The students commonly fire at twenty paces distance; the exchange of shots takes place at the word of the commanding second, and in such a manner that the antagonists can only at the moment that the command reaches the final word "three!" catch sight of each other. One exchange of shots is generally held satisfactory.

By a round is understood the duration of a contest till one has planted an unparried blow on his antagonist; it may be on his person or only on his defensive paraphernalia: of such rounds twelve at least are made.

The small cap indicates the ordinary cap which the student wears; and the large one, a cap with a very large front or shield. The theological students fight in the large cap, since a scar in the face would amount to a termination of their professional career, of which Hauff gives an example, in the Memoirs of Satan, to which the reader may refer if his curiosity so far prompts him.

The most customary duel is that with twenty-four rounds and the small cap. Is it fought in the ordinary manner, that is, twenty-four rounds with a conclusive wound? then the duel is ended when a blow falls which is considered a conclusive one, namely, of two inches length, and deep--according to student phrase--to cut through the two skins. The duel of twenty-four rounds without conclusive wound proceeds thus. If a considerable hit is made, the doctor must decide whether the duel can proceed or not; in the latter case, the fight is continued, however, as soon as the wounded party is sufficiently restored, which in the twenty-four rounds with a conclusive stroke as observed, cannot happen.

In either kind of duel, however, it must terminate with the twenty-four rounds, though neither has lost blood. In this case, both the antagonists remain unconquered, and give their hands in reconciliation.

When a wound is given, which in its own nature or by the rules of the duel proves decisive, the second of the wounded party puts an end to the contest with the words "Remove him!" Distinguished swordsmen generally fight the single round. In this case they fight for a quarter of an hour. The umpire stands with his watch in his hand, marks the pauses which are made for rest when the combatants become weary, and counts them off from the actual time of fighting. So long a time as has been consumed in resting, must the duel extend beyond the quarter. The sixth and last mode consists in fighting without coat, waistcoat, and cravat, and without the usual defensive costume. This, of course, is the very worst species of all those which have been enumerated.