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164

a costly ring—an honor which found no recipient, for he was dead when it arrived. He translated sundry works from both french and german. He was latterly an ecclesiastic of Radnice.

Of Puchmayer's collection of bohemian poetry, the Ode to Žižka is undoubtedly the most remarkable piece. A romantic interest attaches to this hero of his nation, and his zeal for reform has already consecrated his name in every protestant country.

Puchmayer's volumes, though not distinguished by great poetical excellence, were undoubtedly the principal instrument in awakening the slumbering spirit of the bohemians, and gathering it round their language and their songs. For nearly two centuries the bohemian tongue had been silent; and though its earliest renovated accents were not of the highest eloquence, it is impossible not to watch with sympathy the earnest and patriotic attempt to revive the feelings of independence and dignity which do not abandon high-minded individuals in their adversity, and still less high-minded nations.

Žižka's history, which may be well studied in