378
A HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN
LITERATURE
He writes : " As two less complete than it actually is. rivers, though their waters have joined in one channel, yet differ in colour during a long part of their course, thus these two nations (the Germans and Slavs), though
intermingled by the force of fierce war, yet still differ visibly in their manner of life. But the degenerate sons of Sliva often insult their mother, while they kiss the rod of their hateful stepmother (Germany). They are neither Slavs nor Germans in their ways. Hybrids, they belong half to one race, half to the other. Thus has the race of Osman settled down in the Hellenic lands. Its horsetails are prominent on the summit of Olympus. Thus, too, did the avaricious Europeans ruin the two Indian worlds, giving the people indeed education, but robbing them of their virtue, their land, their colour, and their language. Nationality and honour with us, too, have disappeared ; Nature alone has remained unchanged. Woods, rivers, towns, and villages would not abandon their Slav names.^ The sound still remains, but the Slavic spirit has fled. . . ." The introduction ends thus : " It is shameful when in misery to moan over ovir fate ; he who by his deeds appeases the wrath of Heaven acts better. Not from a tearful eye, but from a diligent hand fresh hope will blossom. Thus even evil may yet be A crooked path may indeed lead men changed to good. astray, but not humanity at large. The confusion of individuals may yet serve to the advantage of the comTime changes everything, even past times. munity. The errors of centuries may yet be repaired by time." The fame of KoUar's introduction is so great that I ' This is still perfectly
true. In Mecklenburg and some parts of Prussia the names of many towns and villages are obviously of Slav origin, as are the family names of some of the oldest families which are derived from localities.
