Hope College Hope College Digital Commons

The Anchor: 1958 The Anchor: 1950-1959

7-30-1958

The Anchor, European Edition: July 30, 1958

Hope College

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/anchor_1958

Part of the Library and Information Science Commons

Recommended Citation Repository citation: Hope College, "The Anchor, European Edition: July 30, 1958" (1958). The Anchor: 1958. Paper 17. https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/anchor_1958/17 Published in: The Anchor, July 30, 1958. Copyright © 1958 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.

This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Anchor: 1950-1959 at Hope College Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Anchor: 1958 by an authorized administrator of Hope College Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. _ . f Instiufe of European Studies Aids US-Austrian Relations Offers Unique Experience in International Living and Study

To some five hundred American students who have In 1950 tlie first group of thirty American students spent a semester or two in Vienna during the past arrived in Vienna to spend the year. As the pro- several years, the Institute of European Studies on gram grew. University officials agreed to incorporate Neuer Markt has become a home away from home. the Institute and to recognize it as the "Junior Year For the past two years this has also been true in the Program" of the University. Young professors, who summer when Hope students have centered their acti- could lecture in English, were added to the staff and vities around the comfortable lounges of the Institute. opportunity for first hand contact with many aspects of the old and new Europe added a new dimension to As Austrian institutions go, the Institute of European the academic program of the young Americans who Studies is a mere youngster, having been established came to Vienna. shortly after the Second World War. But since it is also a recognized branch of the University of Vienna, The IES curriculum is divided into two semesters 1 which was founded in 1365, the Institute of European that coincide with those of the University of Vienna. Studies effectively combines the most important aspects Students usually enroll for one academic year, but can of both the old cultural tradition of Austria and the enroll also for one semester only. youthful spirit of post — war Europe. Students arrive from the United States early enough to Mr. Paul V. Koutny, the founder and director of take a three week tour of Western Europe under the the Institute, personifies this new European spirit. supervision of thi Institute. Instructors accompany them Mr. Koutny, who spent part of the Second World War Irom the start and explain the customs, history, art, in a Nazi prison after he was captured as a member and political issues of the countries visited. of the Austrian underground, came to the United The contact between the Institute of European Stud- Stales shortly after the war on a scholarship. He gra- ies and the Hope College Vienna Summer School duated from St. Thomas College in Minnesota. While dales back to the summer of 1956 when Dr. Fried DIRECTORS CONFER - Dr. Paul G. Fried, Hope College in the United States he met so many students who ex- was in Vienna with a small group of Hope students. Vienna Summer School Director, confers with Mr. Paul F. pressed the desire to see Europe and to study there, A meeting with Mr. Koutny and Dr. Sickinger, the Koutny, Director ol the Institute ot European Studies, and that he decided to do something about it after he re- academic dean of the Institute, quickly revealed that Dr. Richard Sickinger, Academic Dean of the Institute. turned to Austria. the Institute had all the facilities Hope College would need to establish a European Summer School, and that moreover, these facilities were not utilized during the summer. The result has been a most satisfactory one for both institutions. To cement further the relations between the Institute of European Studies and Hope College and to finalize plans for Hope's second summer session in Vienna., HOPE COLLEGE both Mr. Koutny and Professor Hugo Hantch, dean of the University of Vienna Faculty of Philosophy and head of the Institute, paid brief visits to Holland during the past winter. Both were delighted by the warm reception they received at Hope College. Mr. Koutny has two small sons and plans to send them to the United Stales for at least part of their education. ANCHOR "In this daily shrinking world our education must HOPE COLLEGE VIENNA SUMMER SCHOOL broaden", states Mr. Koutny. This is best achieved, he feels, by giving young people the opportunity to meet EUROPEAN EDITION VIENNA, JULY 30, 1958 people of different backgrounds and cultures in their own homes, by studying and living with them. The Institute of European Studies, and in the summer, the Hope College Vienna Summer School, are dedicated to Hope Vienna Summer School Members Visif exactly this objective. Sharon Crawford Mariazell, Ride Cable Car in Austrian Alps

Have you ever traveled up the side of a mountain in Even those who had protested that they would rather a cable car? To most of us this was" a new and exciting have spent the morning sleeping changed their minds experience when we visited the little town of Mariazell as the bus gradually climbed over winding roads and Frau Schnee Feted one Saturday not long ago. through small villages to the top of the Semmering It was seven in the morning and most of us were Pass, where we stopped for a second breakfast (for still half asleep when the familiar red and tan Mer- some it was the first). On Birthday by Students cedes bus pulled up in front of the Institute on Neuer Soon we were on our way again, traveling over nar- Markt. But after some ten days in the city we were row mountain roads, past one of the hunting lodges quite eager to spend a little time 4,on the road" again, of the late Emperor Francis Joseph and through little- Time: Friday evening, July 25th. and we were looking forward to our first visit to the used passes with inclines of fifteen to twenty per cent. Place: Basement restaurant of Vienna's Rathaus or Austrian Alps. Shortly before noon we reached our destination. Town Hall. The little town of Mariazell nestles in a rich green valley and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Event: Surprise birthday party for Frau Schnee, Here is located one of the oldest and best known of the Women's Counselor for the Hope College Sum- Catholic shrines in Austria. For over eight hundred mer School in Vienna. years the faithful have made pilgrimages to this spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a After many fast glances at her passport, when she simple soldier who had lost his way as he returned wasn't looking, the date of Frau Schnee's birthday was from the Crusades. confirmed while the group was still traveling to Vienna. The church, recently renovated for its eight hundreth A hasty conference was staged, and after some concen- anniversary, attracts pilgrims from all parts of the trated brainstorming, Herr Doctor Fried remembered world. As different generations have added to the shrine, that Frau Schnee had broken her watch just before it has become a monument to the various architec- she left for the trip and that she wanted a new one. tural styles of past centuries. Romanesque, Gothic, and Herr Doctor skillfully suggested to Frau Schnee that Baroque towers have been blended together harmo- Dave Kinkema, Hope College graduate and member niously to make this one of the most unusual churches of last year's tour now serving with the US Army in Austria. in Germany, could purchase a watch for her at the PX. Although we did spend enough time in the church Frau Schnee "fell" for the suggestion; then Herr Doctor to witness several weddings and to hear the great took Dave aside and told him to deliver the watch to Baroque organ play appropriate music, most of us lost the group, informing Frau Schnee that the watch she little time after lunch before taking the cable car up wanted would be avaiable in three weeks. The three to the top of the "Burger Alpe", and climbing its obser- weeks were just the time from the date of Dave's arri- vation tower. Our efforts were rewarded by a breath- val in Vienna (with the watch) and Frau Schnee's taking view of the Austrian Alps in the bright sunshine. birthday. Needless to say, most of us soon discovered the two Sharon Crawford, True Elizabeth McDonald, and mountaintop coffee houses, where we were presently Herr Fried made the arrangements for a beautiful table enjoying our usual mid-afternoon pastry break. How- at the Rathaus keller. A delicious meal and the ever, no sooner had we settled down on the outdoor presentation of the watch by Bill Brookstra on be- terrace when a mountain thunderstorm forced pastry half of the group served as a memorable and delight- CABLE CAR GOING UP — A cable car begins its trip to enthusiasts to run for cover. When the rain stopped, it ful tribute to our "Mother" and friend, Frau Schnee. the mountaintop near Mariazell, Austria. In the background left tree tops sparkling with dew and the air pleasantly the town of Mariazell and the Austrian Alps. cool for the return trip to Vienna. David Ousterling IPilford Butler PAGE TWO , HOPE COLLEGE ANCHOR - EUROPEAN EDITION JULY 30, 1958

Varied Cultural Program Keeps Students Busy ANCHOR GOES INTERNATIONAL As Third Week of Vienna Program Concludes Time, Life, and the New York Herald Tri- bune have long been publishing international July () editions. Now that Hope College Vienna Sum- 11.30 A.M. Protestant Service at the Vienna Commu- mer School is entering its second year, nity Service Church, Rev. Alexander J. the European edition of the Hope College McKelway, Pastor. ANCHOR has become a member of this group of transatlantic publications. July 7 10.00 A.M. Tirst meeting ol History and German Ci- The European edition of the Hope College vilization classes at Lueger Plat/. 2, work ANCHOR is published by the students enrolled on ANCHOR. in the Hope College Vienna Summer School 1 study-tour program. The European edition of .h'b ft the ANCHOR is intended to provide infor- ].oo P. M. Guided tour through the center of the mation on the activities, impressions, and city with Dr. Sickinger. reactions of the study-tour group for parents, July (j relatives, and friends. At the same time, the 3.00 P. M. Trip to Roman ruins with Dr. Tass- paper serves as a valuable souvenir for parti- binder. cipants in the Vienna summer school program. ().oo P. M. Guest lecture by Priilat Rudolph on the role of Catholic Church in the resistance ISSUE NUMBER TWO to the Na/i Movement. July 10 EDITORIAL STAIT FOR THIS ISSUE: 11.00 A.M. Tield trip to the National Library's Music- Manuscript Collection with Dr. Nemeth.

hxccutivc Editor Wilford Butler, Jr. / uly 11 1.15 P.M. Managing Editor Harry Piercc, Jr. Tield trip to the Kunsthistorische Museum (Museum of History of An). ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL — Though damaged during Editorial Assistant .... Larry A. Sicdcntop 8.00 P. M. Violin and Piano Concert in the Palais the second World War, the tower of this famous cathedral Rewrite David C. Bosch Schwarzenberg. still dominates the skyline. Henry W. Steffens July 12 O Typists True Elizabeth McDonald 7.00 A.M. Bus excursion through the Austrian Alps Barbara Klomparens to Mariazell. July i() Layout Director William Brookstra July 1.30 P.M. 'Trip to St. Stephens and St. Charles Art Director Harvey Gendler 11.30 A.M. Protestant Service, Rev. Althoff, guest mi- Churches with Dr. Tassbinder. Photographer Robert Wulff nister. 8.30 P. M. Outdoor performance of DAPHNE in the Editorial Consultant . . . Mrs. W. Curtis Snow 12.30 A.M. Luncheon guests: Mrs. Huizenga, Charles gardens of the Belvedere Palace. Lindahl and sister, David Kinkema, and Advisor Dr. Paul G. Fried others. July 17 H.00 A.M. Last performance ol Volksoper: "Land 2.00 P. M. Visit to the Imperial Treasury to see the of Smiles". Hapsburg Crown Jewels. 6.00 P. M. Guest lecture by Dozent Dr. Jedlichka on the military history of Central Europe American Dessert Treat since 1918.

Baffles Viennese Cooks July 18 3.00 P. M. Visit to the Music Instrument Collection Frau Schnee Saves Day in the Imperial Palace. Mr. Jeckel of the Hope College Chemistry A request from Dr. Sickinger has developed into a Department and Mr. David Crighton of major activity in our summer school program. If all the Central College faculty arrive in promises are kept, more pies will be baked in the Insti- Vienna for a ^ day visit. tute kitchen in six weeks than an American housewife normally bakes in a year. i July ig Can you imagine life without apple pie? We should 9.00 A.M. All-day excursion to visit the Baroque appreciate this famous American dessert, for we find Abbey at Melk on the Danube. Return that it is unknown in most European countries. And I from Melk by Danube steamer. because Austrians have never heard of it, Dr. Sickinger requested last year that the cooks at the Institute be July 20 taught how to bake pie. He had learned to enjoy this 8.30 A.M. Parade of choirs and costumes on Ring- dessert while he spent a year in America. strasse (International Choir Festival). Lacking adequate equipment such as pie tins, measur- 11.30 A.M. Protestant Service at the Vienna Commu- ing cups, spoons, etc., we worked at this project only VIENNA'S FAMOUS STAATSOPER - was burned out. nity Service Church, Guest Minister: Rev. twice last summer. Baking pies in small frying pans was rebuilt after the war. Once more it shines out in the dark Alexander Seabrook. a trifle difficult and not too successful. The cooks were ol the Viennese night, beautifully illuminated. 12.30 A.M. Luncheon guests: Mr. Eugene Jeckel and interested but needed constant supervision as every Mr. David Creighton, Dr. George Forell, step in the process had to be carefully explained in Iowa State University. German. New words were learned on both sides, bur 'Two delivery men, one with fresh vegetables and this lesson in German and English did nothing to speed one with milk, soon arrived and stood nearby, dis- July 21 up the process of baking ten pies for forty to sixty cussing the unusual addition to the menu. The porter 7.00 P. M. Guest lecture by Dr. Otto Moldon, pro- hungry people. Irom downstairs came in with his huge police dog. The minent Austrian author, on the "Austrian After returning to Michigan last fall. Professor Tried porter made appropriate comments and even Rex Resistance Movement". and Trau Schnee sent nine aluminum pie tins, the walked over to a pie which was ready for the oven and complete stock of two hardware stores, to the Institute sniffed. One could almost see the interrogation mark July 22 as a gift. Included were a measuring cup, measuring hanging in mid-air! 1.30 P. M, Visit to the Austrian Museum of Army spoons, a pastry blender, and a recipe — in German — Stoves without thermostats present an unusual chal- History (Model for the new U. S. Army for apple pie. lenge to an American who is quite helpless • without Museum to be established in Washington However, the task must have seemed insurmountable these convenient gadgets. But the girls merely place their D. C). Tour and lecture by Dozent Dok- to the cooks, for they did not attempt it; instead, they heads well into the oven, emerge, and hold hands and tor Jedlichka, curator of the Museum. awaited our return. 'The first week the utensils were arms in the same place for a few moments. That this dusted, a date was set, and everyone eagerly waited method is successful was proved by the perfect job they July 23 to help. did at the baking process. 8.00 P. M. Open air concert at the Rathaus. Portions of two days were spent at this task because When the first four pies came out of the oven, they working in a small kitchen with five cooks who are pre- were viewed lovingly by the entire group and pronoun- July 24 0 paring a full meal is a bit clumsy. So, on Thursday ced "wunderschon". The mere suggestion of cheese with 1.30 P.M. Visit to the Kapuziner Gruft, burial place morning, "Teig",, as it is called in German, was pre- the pie sent Dr. Sickinger into a state of nausea, so it of Hapsburg Emperors. pared. This portion of the program went off smoothly was decided to forego that delicacy, though we still 6.00 P. M. Guest lecture by Dr. Divok on Austrian and without much excitement. True, each one had to feel the addition would be an improvement. economic reconstruction. taste the dough and pronounce it "sehr gut", but since As the tea-carts were wheeled into the students' great lumps of pie dough are not very thrilling, the dining room, the roar of approval more than repaid July 25 work was soon completed. us for the effort expended. 1.30 P.M. Visit to the Figaro House. Mozart's home The next morning, however, everyone was aflutter. But... now the request has been made for pie at in Vienna. Pans of apples, peeled and thinly sliced, were least once a week! So, blueberry pie is scheduled and waiting when Frau Schnee arrived at nine o'clock. chocolate pie to follow that. Perhaps if they watch and July 26 Every step in the process was closely watched. When help, the girls will be able to bake pies for the students 9.00 A.M. Bus excursion to Carnuntum (Roman raisins were refused as an addition to the apples, the in the fall. Thus, another small contribution to a more camp), Eisenstadt (Haydn Residence), Burg refusal was accepted with the comment," "nicht Ameri- pleasant international relationship has been made! Forchtenstein (famous fortress against the kanisch". Frau Schnee Turks), the Hungarian Border. i JULY 30, 1958 HOPE COLLEGE ANCHOR — EUROPEAN EDITION PAGE THREE Vienna, Historic Meeting Place of East and West Reflects Imperial Tradition and Artistic Climate

suddenly that the last of the Caesars has died almost Even the loss of many a famed scholar due to the war in your lifetime. You will often hear his name, or and the Nazi occupation has not reduced the renown rather the popular "The old gentleman", from friends of this place of higher learning to mere tradition. The you make in Vienna. number ol" Nobel Prize winners per capita is higher The tradition of the Habsburgs, or rather think- than anywhere else in the world, and 35% "f the stu- ing in supranational terms, is still very much alive here. dents enrolled are foreigners. I he names of the over 100 palaces in the historical Then, there is, of course, music: not only the two center of Vienna, referred to as "die Stadt", the city, opera houses, the many concert halls, but also the bear equal witness to the central position of \'ienna in numerous places of commemoration, where a more Europe: there is hardly a country which is not repre- intimate contact with the great can be made. There is sented by the name.-, of a least a few old families. But the house where Beethoven lived, the church where the names in a telephone directory will show you the Schubert played the organ, the house where Mozart same; the Viennese, though German speaking, came wrote the "Magic I'lute", to name but a few. But Vienna from all over Europe U) this meeting place. is also the home of a much younger generation of composers, like Arnold Schonberg, who contributed much to the development ol modern music. You will find gems of historical architecture, mainly ol the light and noble Au-.tnan Baroque, but also the first modern church of the world, or, out in the in- dustrial districts, the city housing projects, which were revolutionary lor town-planning when begun in the early twenties. You should not only visit the churches and palaces, but try to get in contact with the Viennese. Statistics will show you, that they must he pretty hard-working; otherwise they could not have a living standard and a rate ol increased exports like the Germans. But, some- how, they have managed to escape the speed of our age. ('lock.-, seem to go a bit slower in Austria. After a while, you will find yourself relaxed and less worried. In a cafe, even il" you order only a Kleiner Schwar- zer, the waiter will bring you all the papers and maga- zines you can possibly read. Every half hour a new silver tray with a glass of water will appear as you SCHONNBRUNN — One ol ihe loveliest palaces of the continue reading, writing letter.-., or meeting your world, Schonbrunn. patterned alter Versailles, where Metter- friends. Nobody will expect you to leave as soon as you nich presided over the Congress ol \ ienna. finish your coffee. If you manage to penetrate through the layer of wine History, Music, Art places for tourists, you will find yourself in the garden Immortalized in Vienna of the Iiolhc ol" :i wine growing peasant on the hills in the west of tlw city. Everyone brings a sort of picnic tty Dr. Richard Sickinger lunch and unpacks cold cuts, orders the excellent home- One of the most powerful institutions of our age, grown wine, and relaxes after a day's work. In the tourism, shifting infinitely more people out of their hills it is cool, even on a hot summer day. Cool and own countries and all over the world than any of the quiet engulf you as the lights of the city begin to hitherto known migrations, has finally begun to reach twinkle m the darkness below. Vienna. However, it is still little known. There are But you can also find this Viennese spirit in a restui- quite a few people who expect nothing more than rant downtown, or in the home of a friend. Everywhere foreign intrigue, mainly carried on in the sewer system, there is this atmosphere of attaching no more impor- or gondolas instead ol streetcars in Vienna. Even the tance to things than they deserve. The Viennese save advanced traveler i^ likely to instruct you to concen- their time and energy for such things as a house con- trate on the winegardens on the hills, where, if you are cert, a good chat with friends, or a stroll through the lucky, you might even hear the "Third Man Theme". town. Vienna is now, in the eyes of many, something way "THAT GRAND OLD GENTLEMAN" — Emperor Francis You will see for yourself as you go through Vienna, out in the East, a somewhat incongruous annex to the Joseph 1 ol Austria. The Habsburg tradition remains a vital that it cannot cea.-.e to be the great capital in the heart Tyrol, a place to be visited for a day or two at the force in Vienna today. ol Europe. You will find that treasures and traditions end of a skiing vacation. ol" the past are not dead weight, but only a richer There is, as a matter of fact, some truth in this im- Vienna found itself once before on the border of challenge for the present and the future. pression. The peace treaties after World War 1 dis- the West. Twice, in 1529 and in 1683, Turkish armies sected the East of Central Europe into many small besieged the city, which lay as a last bulwark between states, whose newly won independence only helped to the Turks and Western Europe. You will still find create a vacuum, very inviting to Russian imperialism. numerous old houses with Turkish cannon balls in their This has deprived Vienna of its role as gateway be- walls, (jo out to the hills and you will see the small tween the Last and the West of Europe, an old cross- church in which Jan Sobieski, king of Poland, com- roads which prompted the Romans to build a city, of mander of the European forces sent to free the city in which remains are still to be lound. 1683, attended mass before the decisive battle. Every Someone who was in Vienna during the lime of the year Polish refugees gather there to celebrate the Hungarian crisis, however, might tell you that he found anniversary ol" this event. Vienna, and the Viennese, still aware of the respon- Behind the monument to the Red Army, erected siblities which are placed on them by their tradition, by the Russians, you will see the lovely gardens and and by no means looking only to the past. No other the majestic summer palace of Prince Eugene, final country has extended a similar amount of help to Hun- victor over the Turks and patron of the arts and scien- garian refugees, and Vienna is increasingly a place ces. His signature could serve as a symbol for the where scholars and men of the business world of the international spirit of Vienna: Eugenio von Savoi, Ita- East and West can meet in a more relaxed and human lian, German and French all in one name. spirit than anywhere else. This palace, as a matter of fact, saw the signing of Your first glimpse of St. Stephen's, landmark of the State Treaty, which not only gave full independence Vienna, considered by many historians of art to be the to Austria in 1955, but has been so far the only finest and most balanced of all Gothic cathedrals, will successful conclusion of a conference between East and give vou at once the feeling that you are in a true West. capital, not just a big city. The ever increasing number of students from the Equally so the splendor of the Hofburg, the Imperial Near East, the expanding program of cultural relations Palace, located in the center of town — where the and technical assistance with Turkey and Arabia, will crown of the Holy Roman Empire, ancient and almost again serve as a proof that traditions are not dead barbarian in design, is displayed with other objects of in this city. Vienna has not resigned itself to being only rich historical beauty and where the choirboys have a capital city of one of the smaller states of Europe; sung in the chapel for over 500 years. she continues as a center of understanding. You might choose to go up to the second floor. The arcades around the courtyard of the University There the immaculately dressed old butler, mastering main building are full of busts of scholars whose names four or five languages fluently, might mention while are still alive in the different fields of learning. The showing you through the spartanly simple rooms of University will soon celebrate the 600th anniversary CHARLES CHURCH — A magnilicent monument of the Emperor Francis Joseph that his monarch and Theo- of its establishment. It is second in age, north of -the Baroque age which shows the strong influence of Byzan- dore Roosevelt were good friends. You will realize Alps, only to Prague and Cracow. tine art. i PAGE FOUR HOPE COLLEGE ANCHOR - EUROPEAN EDITION JULY 30, 1958

person wishing to bid on that article raises his hand. began to experience the firstsominoi^s feeling that "Funfzig, Sechzig, Siebzig" If his bid is unchallenged, he can take it for that something was wrong. price. Otherwise, the auctioneer starts shrieking upward "Madam, do you speak English?" he asked, and upon The Vienna Auction Fun from the opening bid, "Vierzig ... Funfzig ...", until my assent, he queried, "What did you buy?" I was all but one party have lowered their hands. That per- about in tears. 1 By Joan Hamlin and Mary Marcelon son receives the merchandise at the last price given by "I don't know ", I said, "but il was something that the auctioneer. dangled." He looked, very annoyed and announced he- As can well be imagined, the bidding proceeded very had nothing for eight shillings. The auction in Austria is like no other in the world. rapidly, and became more and more dramatic as the Whereupon, he grabbed the man at the rostrum, We came across it one day quite by mistake, and two prices climbed higher. Poor Mary and I — we did so stopped the auction again (to my complete horror), and hours later, we realized just how large a mistake it want to bid, but how could we, when we had no idea asked him if he had anything for eight shillings. The had been. what we were bidding for? Finally, we arrived at a man said no, and I was ready to slip out the side door, when suddenly he shrieked, "eighty shillings!" Oh From the outside, the Dorotheum, or "home of the decision — we would bid on any very cheap article, yes, it was eighty shillings. There was nothing I could auction" in Vienna, has much the same appearance and so long as it didn't climb too high, we would be do. Apparently I had heard wrong; with a note of as any building, except that it covers almost a city willing to take the consequences. The results were finality, they announced tha,t I had to take the article block. One might easily pass it by if he did not notice hilarious! anyway (I still had no idea what it was). the word "Auktion" posted above the door. The fact After fifteen minutes of bidding, the man announced is that Mary and I did notice this sign, and soon we an article for five shillings. Up went Mary's hand. To complete the dilemma, they added an extra six- found ourselves inside amid a milling throng of people. However, someone else decided to bid at the same time, teen shillings for the bidding license, gave me a white receipt for my money, and directed me to another desk Upstairs, we discovered rooms leading off in all direc- and, as the bidding mounted higher, Mary slowly with- to claim my reward. It would be impossible to describe tions, each room displaying only specific items such drew her hand. At this point, her face was beet-red. my feelings at this time. I had mental images of haul- as silver, gold, jewelry, clothing, and furniture. We I had firmly established in my own mind that this was the end of our bidding. ing home 5,500 curtain rods. The auction came to a close, the people started to leave their seats, and I was But "never-say-die!"' Two seconds later Mary heard still roaming around looking for the claim desk. I was another bid for ten shillings; up went her hand again. under the impression^ I had really been taken. The men This time she was uncontested. Bidding me good-bye, at the cash desk had already left and the 5,500 curtain she stalwardly trotted up to the front. Just as she ap- rods were nowhere in sight. proached the rostrum, the auctioneer stopped the auc- In a state of complete shock, I noticed a little man tion, glared at her, and directed a question in German coming up on my left side. With a feeling of relief, to her. With everyone looking at her, and with her I saw him take my white receipt, and return limited knowledge of German, Mary's only possible a few minutes later with a silver thing that dangled. comment was "Nein, nein". (We later found out the (I was not in any state of mind to examine it very question pertained to whether or not we had purchased closely at the time, but have later been informed it was a bidding licence at the beginning of the auction.) At a "steal", a sterling silver lovalier with a chipped dia- any rate, the auctioneer proceeded to wave Mary aside; mond in it.) and that was the last I saw of her for about fifteen With mixed emotions about Viennese auctions, Mary minutes, since she was engulfed by the mob still and I went home and took aspirins. circling the front. A short while later, she reappeared, sank down breathlessly into her seat, and confided in pathetic tones, "Joan, I honest-to-gosh don't know what I've got". She then pulled out an envelope and dumped into my lap what appeared to be twenty-four silver curtain rods. About that time, people turned around and stared at iK our peculiar purchase. They began nudging their com- panions. Before long, we had a howling mass of people JOAN HAMLIN TRIUMPHANT — Joan Hamlin stands in pointing at us and the curtain rods, or whatever the front of a Viennese Boutique shop after triumphing over the things were. I was ready to sink through the floor, auction. From the glint in her eye we can't tell whether or and I am certain Mary would gladly have done the not she is going to pay the auction; a return visit. same. One helpful man across from us pointed to his head as if to indicate the curtain rods should be used to adorn it. Another lady pointed to her neck — a headed fo the jewelry room, and soon found that each necklace perhaps. At this point, I didn't care if Mary article had a number on it and a price which we de- slipped them through her ears or nose or hung them cided must be the opening bid. around her neck. All I wanted her to4 do was get We felt very intelligent, and soon became engrossed them out of sight before anyone else noticed them, and in our examination of the jewelry. After a while, we this she did in a hurry. noticed that the room was emptying rapidly. We It was now my turn to bid, but due to the recent followed the crowds out of the door and headed for developments I found myself in a state of mortal fear. m a central room which looked like a courtroom. Every- However, upon hearing an opening bid of ten shillings one was pushing and shoving for seats, so Mary and I and feeling Mary's hand in my side, I threw up my decided to get into the spirit of things and push, too. hand. Fear descended upon me, as I saw other hands cHPL.tP We found ourselves located in the back of the room going up all around me. If fact, my fright was so great (Austrians are very powerful). that my arm became paralyzed in the air. I sat there in ARTIST AT WORK — An original india ink sketch by At this point we became aware of a mob of people petrified horror as the bidding rose higher. Harvey Gendler recalls the lovely, winding streets of medieval standing up and milling around the front. The sound Suddenly there was silence. The bidding was finished Rothenburg. of coins jingling was not hard to discern. Due to our on this particular article (I had no idea what it was;. lack of knowledge of Austrian auctions, we experienced You can imagine my consternation when Mary an- a moment of fear when we thought the auction was nounced I was the successful bidder. I couldn't have! only conducted for that little group up in front. We were I did not know what the thing was; nor had| I any idea Printed in Austria. Herausgeber, Verleger und fiir den Inhalt not to hear anything from our seats in the back! As where the bidding had stopped. Searching around the verantwortlich: Professor Dr. Paul G. Fried, Hope College it turned out, this was not the case, but the little room, I came upon a woman just rising from her seat, Vienna Summer School, Institute of European Studies, group of people up in front had a significance which and in certain tones, I assured Mary that she was the Neuer Markt 1, Wien I, Austria. Druck: Profildruck Jahoda we were to discover later. lady who had won the bid and was going up to claim & Siegle, Wien III, Hintere Zollamtsstrafie 3. Soon, however, the man up in front banged a gavel, her reward. Mary looked dubious, but I had thoroughly whereupon silence descended on the room. He then convinced myself this was true when suddenly I noticed uttered a little speech in German. Mary and I took "D O the room was again silent. The auctioneer was glaring •oa -oa this opportunity to glance around the room. The major- Z CD CD around the room with great disapproval. It appeared ity of people did not appear particularly well-to-do. ^m 5i5 no one had come up to claim a certain article that 0 I ° | There were many older ladies who clustered together §5 ® cS had been bid upon. With reddened face, I sank lower O ^ m ® and spoke back and forth in excited whispers. There > into my seat, and could only gasp with relief when the 5 3 were some old men who sat and did nothing. Some of CO— o ZT "thing" was rebid and some delighted lady charged up 3 0 them even yawned in their beards a couple times and to claim my poor misbid article. a) o» . then dropped off to sleep. There were some who could C/3 r- O) c ^ only be described as the "typical American business- I had resolved I would not bid again, but as the auc- 3 ° man", better known in America as the "man in the gray tion drew near its close, I finally heard the man an- > 1 S nounce an article for eight shillings. Again I felt flannel suit". Most of them carried briefcases and - C/J g» looked bored until the bidding started, whereupon they Mary's hand in my ribs, and feeling as all martyrs have ^ ZT0 Sr*: instantly became alert. felt prior to being beheaded, I once again thrust my § I hand into the air. To my utter astonishment, I was not However, one thing we did notice very shortly was challenged. The auctioneer stared at me, announced that they all carried lists of numbers. These numbers "acht" shillings again, rang the gong, and the "thing" did not make sense to us until the man in front was mine. opened the bidding. Only then did we realize the significance of the numbers. Because it is impossible to I trotted to the front amid a blaze of glory\ I had see jewelry articles from the back of the room, each bid, I had been successful, and for eight shillings, I one has a number. People are allowed to study them too could take home a souvenir. Arriving at the front, ahead of time and then write down the numbers of the I laid down my eight shillings on the counter. The articles for which they wish to bid. When the number man stared at me blankly. "Eight shillings'", I said. He is called from the front, the opening bid is read. The peered at me and muttered a question in German. I