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Brethren were foremost. These, however, were gradually superseded by the Jesuit schools. Humanism indeed revived classic models of poetry, but it was destructive of home, that is Czech, literature, in that Humanistic poetry was exclusively Latin. At the same time it must be acknowledged that through the influence of Humanism Bohemian prose vastly improved, culminating in the works of Daniel Adam of Veleslavín, who rightly wrote: "The Bohemian language, in its present high development, is elegant, rich, graceful, and sublime, and perfectly adapted to the setting forth of any topic, whether in theology or philosophy." This splendid development terminated suddenly in 1620, at the beginning of the era of decline. Third Period.—The Protestant nobility, refusing to recognize Emperor Ferdinand II, chose the Calvinist Elector Frederick V as their king (1619). This rebellion was overthrown at the battle of the White Mountain, 8 Nov., 1620, and the Bohemian nation by the fool-hardiness and stubbornness of its nobles was shorn of its independence. The victorious Ferdinand began to enforce the existing motto of the Reformation: Cuius regio illius religio. Some of the leaders of rebellion were executed and their property confiscated, and others were warned either to adopt the Catholic religion or to leave the land. Many left Bohemia and their property was sold or given to German, Spanish, French, or Italian nobles. After the battle of the White Mountain we meet but few writers. Most prominent amongst the Catholic writers of this day was Vilem Slavata of Chlum, who wrote a large history in refutation of that of Skala of Zhoř which unduly favoured Protestantism. After the Thirty Years War, however, all literary activity ceased. During the whole of the seventeenth century there was not published a single original work of merit. In the eighteenth century works were written in Latin and German. The German language gradually took the place of the Bohemian, and when, in 1774, Emperor Joseph II excluded it from the schools and from all public offices, it looked as if the Bohemian language was condemned to a gradual but sure death. But just here came a sudden change for the better, and 1780 marks the beginning of the modern period of Bohemian literature. Fourth Period.—A handful of patriotic priests and teachers took up the heroic task of awakening the nation and succeeded. During the course of one century Bohemian literature grew to such proportions in all its branches that to-day it may well compare with the literature of other nations. Foremost among the pioneers of this era of resurrection must be mentioned Josef Dobrovský, a Jesuit, and Prof. Josef Jungman. Bohemian Writers in Various Fields.—Poetry:—Fr. Lad. Čelakovský (1799–1852); Boleslav Jablonský, Catholic priest (1813–1881); Jan Kollar (1793–1852); Vítězslav Hálek (1835–1874); Adolf Heyduk (1835); Svatopluk Čech (1846–1908); Josef Sládek (1854), translated nearly all of the plays of Shakespeare and the principal works of Longfellow, Byron, Bums, Bret Harte, etc. Jaroslav Vrchlický (1853) is the most prolific Bohemian poet. He wrote sixty-seven volumes of original poems. Besides this he wrote a number of dramas and translated from nearly all the languages of Europe. He translated "Divina Commedia" of Dante, Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso", and a great part of Goethe, Carducci, Andersen, De Amicis, Byron, Hugo, do Lisle, Camoens, Ibsen, Molière, Hamerling, Shelley, etc. Julius Zeyer (1841–1901). Čech, Vrchlický, and Zeyer are the greatest Bohemian poets. The most prominent of the younger generation are:—Otakar Březina, Jaroslav Kvapil, Jan Machar, Fr. Svoboda; and the following Catholic priests:—Sigismund Bouška, O.S.B.; Xaver Dvořák; Adam Chlumecký and the Bohemian-American poet, Jan Vránek of Omaha, Nebraska. Novels and Romances:—Josef Ehrenberger, Catholic priest (1815–1882); Prokop Chocholoušek |
(1819–1864); František Pravda, Catholic priest (1817–1904); Fr. Rubeš (1814–1852); Karolina Světlá (1830–1899); Jan Neruda (1834–1891); Božena Němcová (1820–1862); Václav Vlček (1839); Jakub Arbes (1840); Václav Beneš Třebízský, Catholic priest (1849–1884); Servác Heller (1845); Ignat Herman (1854); Alois Jirásek (1851); Karel Klostermann (1848); Václav Kosmák, Catholic priest (1843–1898); Václav Řezníček, Ph.D. (1861); Antal Stašek (1843); Alois Šmilovský (1837–1883). Třebízský and Jirásek are the most famous novelists. The most prominent of the rising generation are:—Bohumil Brodský, Catholic priest (1862); Jan Havlasa (1883); Karel Rais (1859); Matěj Šimáček (1860); Alois Dostál, Catholic priest (1858). Drama.—Václav Klicpera (1792–1859); Josef Tyl (1808–1856); Fr. Jeřábek (1836–1893); Josef Kolár (1812–1896); Emanuel Bozděch (1841–1889); Fr. Stroupežnický (1850–1892); Jos. Štolba, LL.D. (1846). The best dramatists are Bozděch and Stroupežnický. Of all the branches of scientific Bohemian literature the theological is the richest. The leading writers are:— Exegesis:—Fr. Sušil, Ph.D. (1804–1868), translated and wrote a very extensive commentary to the New Testament. This is the only work of its kind in all Slav literature. Innocenc Frencl, S.T.D. (1818–1862); Jaroslav Sedláček, S.T.D. Pastoral Theology:— Antonín Skočdopole, Ph.D. (1828); Xaver Blanda, S.T.D. (1838). Apologetics:— Bishops Jan Valerian Jirsík (1798–1883), Eduard Brynych (1846–1902), and Antonín Lenz, S.T.D. (1829–1901), a master of dogmatic theology, apologetics, Mariology, sociology, and Catholic anthropology. He pointed out with unusual clearness the errors of Wyclif, Hus, Chelčický, and Comenius. Catholic Philosophy:— Jan Kadeřábek, S.T.D. (1840); Václav Šimánko, S.T.D. (1844–1897); Pavel Vychodil, O.S.B., Ph.D. (1862); František Konečný; Václav Hlavatý, S.T.D., and Josef Pospíšil, S.T.D. Canon Law:—Klement Borový, S.T.D. (1838–1897); Alois Jirák, S.T.D. (1848–1906). Moral Theology:—Matěj Procházka, S.T.D. (1811–1889); Karel Řehák, S.T.D. (1843). Christian Sociology:—Rudolf Horský, S.T.D., and Rudolf Vrba. Oriental Languages:—Fr. Ryzlink, S.T.D. Biblical Archeology:—Melichar Mlčoch, S.T.D. (1833), and Alois Musil, S.T.D., of wide repute. Hagiography:—František Eckert; Hugo Karlík. Church History:—Fr. Krásl, S.T.D. (1844); Fr. Kryštůfek, S.T.D.; Josef Svoboda, S.J. (1826–1896).—The leading theological writers (1908) are:— Jan Sýkora, S.T.D.; Josef Tumpach, S.T.D.; Antonín Podlaha, S.T.D. Law:—Albin Bráf, LL.D.; Antonín Randa, LL.D. Philosophy and Æsthetics:—Josef Durdík, Ph.D.; Ottokar Hostinský, Ph.D.; Tomáš Masařík, Ph.D. Higher Mathematics: — Dr. Fr. Studnička; Václav Šimerka; Brothers Emil and Eduard Weyr. Medicine:— Jan Purkyně, M.D. (1784–1869); Boh. Eiselt, M.D.; Emerich Maixner, M.D.; Josef Thomayer, M.D. Natural Science:—Karel Amerling, M.D. (1807–1884); Jan Pressl, M.D. (1791–1849); Jan Krejčí, M.D.; Vladislav Šír, M.D. Astronomy:—Karel Zenger (1830–1908). Travel:—Emil Holub, M.D. (1807–1884); Stanislav Vráz (1859). History:—František Palacký (1798–1876), who wrote a history of the Bohemian people in eleven volumes from the earliest times down to the year 1526; Václav Vladivoj Tomek (1818–1905); Antonín Rezek Ph.D. (1853). Archæology:—Jan Erazim Vocel (1802–1871); Pavel Šafarík (1795–1861). Riegrův. Naučný Slovník; Ottův. Naučný Slovník; Vác. Staněk, Stručné dějiny literatury české.Francis Vaňous. |
