Note 43 — JEAN PAUL FRIEDRICH RICHTER. (continued 2)

In German, as in some other languages, the common mode of address is by the third person: plural, it indicates respect; singular, command: the second person is also used; plural, it generally denotes indifference; singular, great familiarity, and sometimes its product, contempt. Dutzenfreund, Thouing-friend, is the strictest term of intimacy; and among the wild Burschen (Students) many a duel (happily, however, often ending like the Polemo-Midinia in one drop of blood) has been fought, in consequence of saying Du (thou) and Sie (they) in the wrong place.—Ed.