Marksmen Festival in Meran and Academic Appointment for Dr. Albert Jäger

Austrian Monarchy.

Innsbruck, 21 May. In the "Ostd. Post" of the 18th of this month, the following is reported among the Vienna daily news: "We learn from a reliable source that the well-known historiographer Dr. Albert Jäger, currently director of the gymnasium in Meran, is said to have been appointed professor of Austrian state history at the University of Vienna."

Meran, 19 May. (Corresp.) Today at 10 o'clock, the numerous shooting company of Kaltern entered amidst marching music and the firing of mortars. The welcoming speaker, Dr. Lentner, led the captain and the clergyman onto the platform of the flag tower and, holding the ornate ibex horn before him, delivered the following enthusiastic address:

"Greetings to you, marksmen from Kaltern! You see here the precious gift that His Imperial Highness Archduke John presented to the shooting range of Meran. On the base of this goblet of honor stands the motto: 'A good marksman, a good rifle, a sharp eye, a strong arm, a steadfast spirit.' All this you, men of Kaltern, bring with you! Your rifle is good; for to this noble contest of honor the marksman carries his finest weapon. Your eye is sharp! Before you, men of Kaltern! Rises the high Schlern, the mountain of Tyrol extolled in the Nibelungenlied, upon which you gaze, sharpening your vision in the far distance. Your arm is strong! The juice of the grapes by Lake Kaltern tempers it to the strength of iron. Your spirit is steadfast! It is indeed historic, your courage, O men of Kaltern! For it was the men of the Adige valley who, at the Battle of Sempach in 1386, vied for the honor of leading the assault against the Swiss. Thus you are good marksmen! Since you possess everything that makes a good marksman, you will take many fine things back to your homeland. Therefore, all hail to you, marksmen of Kaltern!

The marksmen captain then received the ceremonial drink and called out a toast to Archduke John, to the Meran shooting board, and three cheers for our beloved Emperor! – Each marksman then took the ceremonial drink.

At 4:30, the welcoming committee greeted the shooting company from Innsbruck with a cheer at the town's jurisdictional boundary beyond the Passer bridge. Amid bright rejoicing, music, and the crack of mortars, the procession moved toward the shooting range.

The Burgomaster of Meran stepped onto the platform of the flag tower with the leader of the marksmen and spoke these significant words: "The old capital extends its greeting to the marksmen from the new capital of Tyrol! His Imperial Highness Archduke John has assembled us for this truly Tyrolean festival in order to unite us and to establish a monument of his love to all Tyroleans. We are to unite in the peaceful contest of marksmanship, to attain and prove certainty of aim, to send the unerring bullet into the heart of the enemy. To all Tyroleans the Archduke has raised a monument of love. For from all districts of Tyrol, steadfast marksmen will carry a premier prize home; this prize remains a cherished keepsake of the Archduke's affection for the Tyroleans. Therefore, all hail to the marksmen from the new capital and from the Inn, that they may take with them the blessing of the steadfast shot and gain a token of love for the Archduke."

The leader of the shooting company, David Schönherr, responded with a vigorous address to the welcoming speaker's words and offered a toast to the Emperor, to the beloved Archduke John, to the Count of Meran, that hope of Tyrol, to the enthusiastic and genial marksmen friends on the Adige, who know how to arrange everything with such refinement, and finally to the grand, undefeated army. These cheers found a mighty echo among the entire large entourage.

The marksmen from Bregenz have also already registered.