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 Zacchariæ’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.