Page:A history of Bohemian literature.pdf/278

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KOMENSKÝ AT LISSA
261

savoured of intellectual progress."[1] Hartlib seems, indeed, first to have heard of Komenský as the author of the Janua Linguarum, an educational work that then, and even long after, enjoyed great celebrity; but he was principally interested in Komenský's philosophical studies. Hartlib entered into correspondence with him, requested information on the subject of "pansophy," and offered pecuniary assistance should Komenský wish to visit England.

The latter seems to have received these proposals. favourably, and he forwarded to Hartlib a sketch describing all the pansophic works he intended to write. Many of these works perished afterwards when the town of Lissa was burnt down, and it is therefore a mere matter of conjecture how many of them already were in existence. It is, however, certain that Komenský at that time had already compiled a complete table of contents of his pansophic works under the name of Synopsis Operis Consultatorii.[2] Hartlib appears to have been delighted with Komenský's communication, and, contrary to the author's wishes, he published his pansophic sketch at Oxford in 1637.

Komenský does not seem to have resented this breach of faith. He had perhaps already made up his mind to visit England, where the publication of his work was likely to increase his fame. Disputes with other ministers of the Unity, who disapproved of Komenský's visionary opinions, had rendered residence at Lissa distasteful to him. The death of Count Lescynski in 1637 was also a reason

  1. Mr. Keatinge: The Great Didactic. Mr. Keatinge's preface contains much interesting information concerning Hartlib and his friends.
  2. This table of contents can be found in my Bohemia, an Historical Sketch, p. 403.