The inhabitants see gladly these guests arrive in the place; as the
Burschen, on one such day, make a greater expenditure, or in common
parlance, moult more feathers than as many honourable inhabitants of
the little town do in a whole year. On this account, their approach is
first announced to the spectator in the garden of the Harp, by the
firing of small cannon, which are planted for the purpose of doing all
possible honour to these high guests, on the Dielsberg, a town
opposite, situated on a lofty conical hill, where the earliest view of
the approaching train is obtained, and by others fired from one of the
old castles of Neckarsteinach. The garden of the inn now speedily
swarms with the jovial Burschen, who here play off all sorts of pranks
and whims.
But within, the whole house is in the most universal bustle.
House-servants and waiters run to and fro; in the kitchen all the hands
of the cooks are in active agitation, in order to fulfil the command of
the landlady. There will sit a sleepy maid nodding in a chair, since
for two days, that is, since the Commers was announced to them, there
has been no sleep in the eyes of any of the ministering spirits; but
she is quickly roused up with a vengeance in order to assist in the
general activity. All, however, is still and solitary in the yard; for
the poor feather-cattle have been compelled to yield up their young
lives in order to parade on the table of these honoured and swarming
guests. Above, in the great hall, is a long table covered. Every window
is adorned with green and flowery garlands and festoons, and at that
end of the hall where the seat of honour is placed, there is emblazoned
on the wall the great and painted coat-of-arms of the Verbindung,
embellished with flowers and ribands. The musicians now take their
places in the orchestra above; the sons of the Muses appear in the
hall, and the feast is opened. After the cloth is drawn the proceedings
at table are such as we have described in the General Commers, except
that, at this Commers, no beer is drunk, but wine only; and you may
soon hear the report of outflying Champagne corks, as the toasts of the
Chore are given, or those upon and connected with the Land Prince, when
the Commers is celebrated on his birthday.
In the so-called Foundation Commers, it is customary for the Senior, to
deliver a short speech, in which he takes a review of the fortunes of
the Verbindung, or Chore, from its establishment, and particularly
mentions the names of those who have belonged to it, and are now gone
forth from it into busy life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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