There are not wanting tables, chairs, a commode, a writing-table and
book-shelves, and a sofa that is pretty well used. Our host, at first
sight looked, to my fancy, somewhat Turkish, as at our morning visit he
sat enjoying his pipe and coffee, in a coloured plaid morning-gown and
showy slippers. But the legs--no, they were not crossed in Turkish
fashion, but stretched out at will from the sofa in true English style,
and seemed to feel themselves very much at home in the room. He had a
handkerchief thrown loosely round his neck, and the small, round, and
embroidered cap sat not inelegantly on his head. These caps, as I
learned in course of conversation, are termed _cerevis_, or beer-caps.
What especially struck me in the apartment, were the various
decorations which adorned the walls in gay rows, and the signification
of which our host politely explained to me. Upon one wall was displayed
a long line of profiles, all under glass, and in small gilt frames. A
coloured Chore-band falling from above, wound about them, and
comprehended them, as it were, in one great family. "These," said he,
"are in memory of the friends who have contributed to embellish my six
semesters at the university:" and I learned that it was the practice,
especially of those who belonged to the same Chore, mutually to honour
each other with those little likenesses.
"We have here," said he, "in Heidelberg, the Herr Münich, who executes
these things in first-rate style, and derives almost a livelihood alone
from this branch of business. It is the same in other places. I have
already passed some time in Jena, Berlin, and Bonn, and have enjoyed
the friendship of many a brave Bursche. There, you see the views of
many a city through which I have travelled. They will to the latest
hour yield me delightful recollections." These, with the well-executed
portraits of many professors, filled a second wall. Amongst them
proudly displayed themselves several printed duplicates of the doctoral
diplomas of his friends.
"And whose likeness is this which hangs in the midst?" I asked. "That,"
he replied, "is the portrait of our famous Pawk-doctor, which cannot be
wanting in any kneip."
On the third wall I beheld pipes of all forms and sizes, from the
meerschaum to the clay pipe; and my polite host promised me at the next
opportunity, to give me a lecture, as he expressed it, on these
articles of furniture. My eye was now caught by the garniture which I
beheld about the looking-glass. It was hung round with ribands of
various colours, and above it appeared the remains of garlands. As I
noticed them my host said--"See, those are flowers out of the mourning
garlands which deck many a departed friend who sleeps in the cool
earth; which we carefully preserve."
"And the ribands with the many inscriptions and the dates?" I asked.
"Those," said he, "are my Chore-brothers; and the date indicates the
foundation-day of our _Verbindung_."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account