ersity's founding. A
Commers consists of speeches and songs and the drinking of unlimited
quantities of beer. The arrangements are governed by officials
(_Chargierte_) elected by the students from among themselves. Strict
rules as to drinking exist, and the chairman after each speech calls for
what is called a salamander (_ad exercitium Salamandris bibite,
tergite_). All rise and having emptied their glasses hammer three times
on the table with them. On the death of a student, his memory is
honoured with a salamander, the glasses being broken to atoms at the
close.

COMMINES, PHILIPPE DE (c. 1445-c. 1511), French historian, called the
father of modern history, was born at the castle of Renescure, near
Hazebrouck in Flanders, a little earlier than 1447. He lost both father
and mother in his earliest years. In 1463 his godfather, Philip V., duke
of Burgundy, summoned him to his court, and soon after transferred him
to the household of his son, afterwards known as Charles the Bold. He
speedily acquired considerable influence over Charles, and in 1468 was
appointed chamberlain and councillor; consequently when in the same year
Louis XI. was entrapped at Peronne, Commines was able both to soften the
passion of Charles and to give useful advice to the king, whose life he
did much to save. Three years later he was charged with an embassy to
Louis, who gained him over to himself by many brilliant promises, and in
1472 he left Burgundy for the court of France. He was at once made
chamberlain and councillor; a pension of 6000 livres was bestowed on
him; he received the principality of Talmont, the confiscated property
of the Amboise family, over which the family of La Tremoille claimed to
have rights. The king arranged his marriage with Helene de Chambes, who
brought him the fine lordship of Argenton, and Commines took the name
d'Argenton from then (27th of January 1473). He was employed to carry
out the intrigues of Louis in Burgundy, and spent several months as
envoy in Italy. On his return he was received with the utmost favour,
and in 1479 obtained a decree confirming him in possession of his
principality.

On the death of Louis in 1483 a suit was commenced against Commines by
the family of La Tremoille, and he was cast in heavy damages. He plotted
against the regent, Anne of Beaujeu, and joined the party of the duke of
Orleans, afterwards Louis XII. Having attempted to carry off the king,
Charles VIII., and so free h