Student Abroad

1880—1881, Breslau Germany

1 2 »

In September 1880 Coleman is in Germany and preparing to embark on a Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Breslau. In the initial weeks Coleman is exploring his environment. The journals record Coleman's early impressions. He notes that on Sundays people do not go to "meeting" but walk in the parks and go to beer gardens.

Tuesday Sept. [28, 1880]
I walked through the Neu Markt this morning. It is very interesting. In one part are the fish mongers with tanks of live fish which they pull out wriggling and sqirming [sic] and after more or less haggling deposit in the network bag of the purchaser along with the other things she has purchased.

Saturday Nov. 6th. [1880]
At last I have been made a student. At 4½ or 5 I went to a handsome arched room in the university and entered. There were perhaps 40 more matriculants seated in a row around the room. Behind each hung his hat and overcoat. At a long table in the centre sat the secretary and treasurer. One after another was called up, entered in the secretary’s book, his name, age, religion, birthplace, father’s address, father’s religion etc. Then the treasurer took from him 18 marks and the candidate once more signed his name in a book.

(Excerpts), Diary 4, 1880 - 1881, pages 140 - 141

Notebook. A.P. Coleman. Tuesday Sept. [28, 1880], in Diary No. 4, 1880, page 141

Notebook. A.P. Coleman. Saturday Nov. 6th [1880] in Diary No. 4, 1880, page 182

Watercolour. A.P. Coleman. Old Houses, Breslau, 1881

Watercolour. A.P. Coleman. A Corner in Breslau, Germany, 1881.

Sketchbook. A.P. Coleman. "Nossen, Schloss", in Sketchbook 1b ca 1880, [page 9]

Sketchbook. A.P. Coleman. Cover, Sketchbook 1c ca 1880 (Germany)

Watercolour. A.P. Coleman. Rest after toil, in Rotterdam. n.d.

Photograph. Milk cart at Antwerp : 355. n.d.