Chapter 1260: Chapter 156: The Studious Outsiders (2)
“I see.” Arthur didn’t want to set a trap for the student, so he tried to steer the conversation away: “However, if you are coming to Europe to study, wouldn’t it be better to go to Britain? Communication would be easier without having to learn another language. I know Oxford and Cambridge don’t accept international students, but the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh University shouldn’t have nationality restrictions, right?”
Hearing this, Mottle played it shrewdly: “Of course, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and University of London are all top universities. Before the ‘Treaty of Ghent’ was signed in 1815, Britain was indeed the first choice for many Arican students. However, for so well-known reasons, since the 1820s, studying in Britain started to beco less reputable in the United States. Furthermore, Britain began to continuously restrict the number of Arican students, making the situation increasingly regrettable.
As for why not go to Britain and instead co to Germany to study, I guess it might be related to Mada Staël’s book ‘Germany’. Although that book was in French, an English translation was published in New York the following year. This book was very popular in the United States, and many people learned about German customs, religious philosophy, art education, and more from it.
Most of the seniors in our Boston Gottingen Alumni Association chose to study in Gottingen due to Mada Staël’s influence. As for us, the new generation of students, we were influenced by Mr. Cousin’s ‘Germany, In Particular the Public Education Report of Prussia’. This book was published in 1832. Before seeing this book, I once wanted to study in France, but after reading it, I felt it necessary to try Germany.”
At this point, Mottle didn’t forget to praise the student services provided by University of Gottingen: “In fact, I knew I ca to the right place on my first day here. According to the governnt’s regulations, both the city and University of Gottingen have made various adjustnts to cater to the needs of international students. As soon as we arrived in Gottingen, Mr. Dosna imdiately understood my situation and needs, and there were clear procedures everywhere. From local citizens confirming with whether I’ve arranged my accommodation, the professors helping choose the right teachers, to the school staff ensuring that my other living needs are t. Therefore, one or two days after arriving in Gottingen, I felt no unfamiliarity here.”
Bismarck, hearing Mottle’s words, just stood behind Arthur and pursed his lips at this old friend.
Because he rembered that Mottle didn’t speak like this in private. The student services at University of Gottingen, to say the least, could be called ticulous. To be frank, it was actually nitpicking and bureaucracy.
If University of Gottingen wanted to eliminate the liberal movent, it would be quite simple. The academic committee only needed to issue a notice requiring students to apply six months in advance for every demonstration gathering and protest march.
Because according to Gottingen’s administrative efficiency, a six-month procedure usually takes years to go through, and by that ti, the students would probably have graduated and found jobs.
However, although both complained about the school’s low administrative efficiency, Mottle’s attitude toward study was evidently much more serious than that of the German students like Bismarck.
Mottle’s daily routine was very regular, apart from occasionally getting together with Bismarck, his schedule rarely changed.
He got up at 5 o’clock every day and then sat down to study Latin. He studied until 7:30 on three days a week and until 8:30 on three other days.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at 8 o’clock, he would unwaveringly attend William Grimm’s German class. Although Bismarck had once urged Mottle to skip class, he never agreed.
According to Mottle, he didn’t skip class because Professor Grimm was one of those rare professors he admired. His profound knowledge greatly impressed Mottle. Not only was Grimm thoroughly familiar with literary history, but he also knew almost all the anecdotes and folk customs behind ancient and modern works, and attending his class felt better to Mottle than going out drinking.
At 9 o’clock, Mottle would then attend Professor Daisen’s theology class, listening to his lectures on the first three chapters of the Gospel. Despite Mottle not agreeing with his views on the origin and formation of the Gospel, and also not being satisfied with his reasoning, this class attracted Mottle more than accompanying Bismarck in fencing and brawling.
After the morning classes ended, he would walk 15 minutes ho for lunch and rest until 1:30 in the afternoon, then he would start reading Professor Blunbach’s lecture notes, and at 3 o’clock he would attend his Natural Philosophy class together with his roommate Schleiden.
Although most people were afraid to let the octogenarian Professor Blunbach operate in surgery, this experienced professor with over 50 years of teaching was still a trustworthy top teaching expert at Gottingen. His teaching style was humorous and vivid, hence few students would skip his classes.
And at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, it was Mottle’s free ti. Depending on the invites that day, he might go to the tavern for a drink, or he might visit Professors Schulze and Daisen, who were offering Greek classes.
Unlike Bismarck, the notorious problematic student, Mottle, even if not one of the students most beloved by the professors, at least occasionally received invitations from the professors to visit their hos and consult with them on scholarly matters.
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