398 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences , Arts , and Letters . 
I quote from it what has seemed interesting from the view¬ 
point of 20th century standards, as an illustration of the effort 
made some four centuries earlier to check the fast life of those 
times. 
The Ordinance opens with a grateful preamble acknowled¬ 
ging the Duke’s graciousness toward the University of Witten¬ 
berg in excepting the University from obedience to the general 
ordinance for his realm, thereby confirming the powers of the 
University to make its own laws of government. It then pro¬ 
ceeds in the first chapter to prescribe the dress to be worn by 
those who have the degree of doctor or licentiate. They are ad¬ 
monished to honor their position by giving a good example to 
the people, and by adherence to the customs and traditions jn 
vogue for men in their walk of life during the preceding cen¬ 
turies. As the wearing of short gowns or coats was a departure 
from these past customs of modesty and dignity, no man among 
them should permit himself to be seen in a gown or coat which 
swung less than a hand’s breadth below the knees. 
Further, gowns that are split and cut up are so made for the 
purpose of showing expensive and rich undergarments; gowns 
which are decorated with heavy bands and embroidery are 
made for display and vain glory. Therefore they are admon¬ 
ished to have nothing to do with such frivolous and outlandish 
fashions, as they are unbecoming and too expensive for men 
in their position. He who does not take heed to this admoni¬ 
tion shall first be warned by the Hector and if this warning does 
not correct his folly, he shall be fined ten Gulden for each of¬ 
fense in dress. 
The second paragraph prescribes the dress for those with the 
degree of magister and the bachelors in the upper faculties. 
From whatever rank they come, whether they be of noble birth 
or not, they are expressly admonished to adhere to the long 
gowns, at least gowns that hang below the knees. Coats or 
gowns of plush and silk are proscribed as extravagances, but 
under jackets or vests may be worn, if they are made from da¬ 
mask and satins. 
Caps or hoods of plush are forbidden, but the gowns may be 
