PREFACE. THE following brief account of the German Universities has been prepared, amidst the many interruptions and anxieties inseparable from a settlement in a foreign country, at the request of a zealous and well-known friend of education, James Heywood, Esq. F.R.S. of Trinity College, Cambridge. The Author's apology to the English public for presenting this little work to their notice, is the perception of a growing interest in all that relates to literary Germany, and the conviction that no institutions in Europe of equal importance, are so imperfectly known in England as the German Universities. The Germans themselves are now becoming better acquainted with our own venerable seats of learning, through the great work of Professor Huber, an English translation of which has been recently published under the able editorship of Francis Newman, Esq. formerly Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. The time will come when a work on the History of the German Universities, corresponding in extent to that of Huber, will be a desideratum in England. In the meanwhile the present treatise may serve to call attention to the subject, and aid in exciting a curiosity which it does not profess altogether to satisfy. A Whatever may be thought of the Author's opinions of the German University system, he feels assured that no exception can be made to the substantial accuracy of his statements. long residence in Germany as a Student, and a personal intimacy with many distinguished German Professors, have afforded him many opportunities of acquiring valuable information, of which he has endeavoured to take full advantage. BONN, March 1845. English notions of German Universities. Popular idea of the German Student-of the German Professor. Prof. Huber's 66 English Universities." Differences between English and German Universities. Causes of German literary eminence Page 1 CHAPTER II. CHARACTERISTICS OF GERMAN UNIVERSITIES. "Lehr freiheit," or freedom in teaching, of the Professor. Competition among the Professors. German University Reform. Prof. Tholuck and the Students of Halle. Jacob Grimm on German Universities 11 CHAPTER III. ORIGIN OF GERMAN UNIVERSITIES. First European Uni versities connected with the Church. University of Paris. The "Nations" at Paris. Division into Faculties. First German Universities-Prague, Vienna, and Leipsic. First relation to the State. "The Curator and Plenipotentiary." Their privileges and emoluments. Career of a German Professor. The "Privatim Docens." The "Professor Extraordinarius." The Professor Ordinarius." Position of the German Professor. His at Göttingen by the accession of king Ernest. Abolition OF THE LECTURES. Mode of lecturing. Dictation. "Bread and Butter" Students. Courses of Lectures in the different Philosophers" of Germany. Societies connected with the OF THE STUDENTS. Final School Examination. Matri- culation. Time devoted to study by the Students. Punishments. Peculiarities of German Students. The "Landsmannschaft." Origin of Duelling in the Uni- versities. The "Fox." The "Moss-grown Head." The "Philistine." The "Comment." The Secret "Orders." "Renommiren." The "Senior Convent." The "Re- noncen." The "Kneipe." The "Commers." The Fox's Ordeal. The "Burnt Fox." Evil influence of the Landsmannschaft. Rise and Progress of the "Burschenschaft." The "court of honour." The "Verruf." Good effects of the Burschenschaft. Its supposed republican tendencies. Meeting on the "Wartburg." Attempt to found a general |