APPENDIX
Reading edition
My attention has been called (too late for a reference in the text) to a medieval Latin poem giving a gloomy account of student life in Paris in the twelfth century. The verses, which have been printed in the American Journal of Philology (vol. xi. p. 80), insist upon the hardships of the student's life, and contrast his miserable condition with the happier lot of the citizens of Paris. For him there is no rejoicing in the days of his youth, and no hope even of a competence in the future. His lodgings are wretched and neglected; his dress is miserable, and his appearance slovenly. His food consists of peas, beans, and cabbage, and
"libido Mensæ nulla venit nisi quod sale sparsa rigorem Esca parum flectit."
His bed is a hard mattress stretched on the floor, and sleep brings him only a meagre respite from the toils of the day:--
"Sed in illa pace soporis Pacis eget studii labor insopitus, et ipso Cura vigil somno, libros operamque ministrat Excitæ somnus animæ, nec prima sopori Anxietas cedit, sed quæ vigilaverat ante Sollicitudo redit, et major summa laboris Curarum studiis in somnibus obicit Hydram."
In the early hours of the morning he goes to his lectures, and the whole of his day is given to study. The description of the student at lecture is interesting:--
"Aure et mente bibit et verba cadentia promo Promptus utroque levat, oculique et mentis in illo Fixa vigilque manet acies aurisque maritat Pronuba dilectam cupida cum meute Minervam."