three men on the bummel(三个闲逛的人)-第53章
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admitted。 When a student is considered to have disgraced himself by
some slight involuntary movement of the head or body while fighting；
then he can only regain his position by standing up to the best swordsman
in his Korps。 He demands and is accorded； not a contest； but a
punishment。 His opponent then proceeds to inflict as many and as
bloody wounds as can be taken。 The object of the victim is to show his
comrades that he can stand still while his head is half sliced from his skull。
Whether anything can properly be said in favour of the German
Mensur I am doubtful； but if so it concerns only the two combatants。
Upon the spectators it can and does； I am convinced； exercise nothing but
evil。 I know myself sufficiently well to be sure I am not of an unusually
bloodthirsty disposition。 The effect it had upon me can only be the usual
effect。 At first； before the actual work commenced； my sensation was
curiosity mingled with anxiety as to how the sight would trouble me；
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though some slight acquaintance with dissecting…rooms and operating
tables left me less doubt on that point than I might otherwise have felt。
As the blood began to flow； and nerves and muscles to be laid bare； I
experienced a mingling of disgust and pity。 But with the second duel； I
must confess； my finer feelings began to disappear； and by the time the
third was well upon its way； and the room heavy with the curious hot
odour of blood； I began； as the American expression is； to see things red。
I wanted more。 I looked from face to face surrounding me； and in
most of them I found reflected undoubtedly my own sensations。 If it be a
good thing to excite this blood thirst in the modern man； then the Mensur
is a useful institution。 But is it a good thing？ We prate about our
civilisation and humanity； but those of us who do not carry hypocrisy to
the length of self…deception know that underneath our starched shirts there
lurks the savage； with all his savage instincts untouched。 Occasionally
he may be wanted； but we never need fear his dying out。 On the other
hand； it seems unwise to over…nourish him。
In favour of the duel； seriously considered； there are many points to be
urged。 But the Mensur serves no good purpose whatever。 It is
childishness； and the fact of its being a cruel and brutal game makes it
none the less childish。 Wounds have no intrinsic value of their own； it is
the cause that dignifies them； not their size。 William Tell is rightly one of
the heroes of the world； but what should we think of the members of a
club of fathers； formed with the object of meeting twice a week to shoot
apples from their sons' heads with cross…bows？ These young German
gentlemen could obtain all the results of which they are so proud by
teasing a wild cat！ To join a society for the mere purpose of getting
yourself hacked about reduces a man to the intellectual level of a dancing
Dervish。 Travellers tell us of savages in Central Africa who express their
feelings on festive occasions by jumping about and slashing themselves。
But there is no need for Europe to imitate them。 The Mensur is； in fact；
the reductio ad absurdum of the duel； and if the Germans themselves
cannot see that it is funny； one can only regret their lack of humour。
But though one may be unable to agree with the public opinion that
supports and commands the Mensur； it at least is possible to understand。
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The University code that； if it does not encourage it； at least condones
drunkenness； is more difficult to treat argumentatively。 All German
students do not get drunk； in fact； the majority are sober； if not industrious。
But the minority； whose claim to be representative is freely admitted； are
only saved from perpetual inebriety by ability； acquired at some cost； to
swill half the day and all the night； while retaining to some extent their
five senses。 It does not affect all alike； but it is common in any
University town to see a young man not yet twenty with the figure of a
Falstaff and the complexion of a Rubens Bacchus。 That the German
maiden can be fascinated with a face； cut and gashed till it suggests having
been made out of odd materials that never could have fitted； is a proved
fact。 But surely there can be no attraction about a blotched and bloated
skin and a 〃bay window〃 thrown out to an extent threatening to
overbalance the whole structure。 Yet what else can be expected； when
the youngster starts his beer…drinking with a 〃Fruhschoppen〃 at 10 a。m。；
and closes it with a 〃Kneipe〃 at four in the morning？
The Kneipe is what we should call a stag party； and can be very
harmless or very rowdy； according to its composition。 One man invites
his fellow…students； a dozen or a hundred； to a cafe； and provides them
with as much beer and as many cheap cigars as their own sense of health
and comfort may dictate； or the host may be the Korps itself。 Here； as
everywhere； you observe the German sense of discipline and order。 As
each new comer enters all those sitting round the table rise； and with heels
close together salute。 When the table is complete； a chairman is chosen；
whose duty it is to give out the number of the songs。 Printed books of
these songs； one to each two men； lie round the table。 The chairman
gives out number twenty…nine。 〃First verse；〃 he cries； and away all go；
each two men holding a book between them exactly as two people might
hold a hymn…book in church。 There is a pause at the end of each verse
until the chairman starts the company on the next。 As every German is a
trained singer； and as most of them have fair voices； the general effect is
striking。
Although the manner may be suggestive of the singing of hymns in
church； the words of the songs are occasionally such as to correct this
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impression。 But whether it be a patriotic song； a sentimental ballad； or a
ditty of a nature that would shock the average young Englishman； all are
sung through with stern earnestness； without a laugh； without a false note。
At the end； the chairman calls 〃Prosit！〃 Everyone answers 〃Prosit！〃 and
the next moment every glass is empty。 The pianist rises and bows； and is
bowed to in return； and then the Fraulein enters to refill the glasses。
Between the songs； toasts are proposed and responded to； but there is
little cheering； and less laughter。 Smiles and grave nods of approval are
