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.
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.