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CZECHOSLOVAK STORIES

cultured nations, ancient and modern, and then only can a fair conception be had of the marvellous labors and the unequalled significance to Czech literature of this indefatigable individual, who has created more real literature than is contributed ordinarily by an entire generation of writers.

The immensity of the task of a review of this author’s activity is apparent. Only the mention of a few of his achievements is possible. His “Zlomky Epopeje” (Fragments of an Epopee) represents the attempt of the author to trace through ballads, romances, legends and myths the development of man from the beginning to the present time, the whole permeated with his own peculiar philosophy of history which insists on the triumph of man over matter and of self-sacrificing love over all other human manifestations. The “Bar Kochba” is a magnificent epic of the desperate and heart-breaking struggle of the Jews against Rome. His “Legenda Sv. Prokopa” (Legend of St. Procopius) employs Czech historical material exclusively. Of five volumes of sonnets, the most popular has been the collection “Sonnets of a Recluse.” Many of his twenty-four books of lyrics have gone into several editions. Among them are “Rok na Jihu” (A Year in the South); “Motýli Všech Barev" (Butterflies of all Tints) “Na Domácí Půdě” (On Home Soil), “Pavučiny” (Cobwebs) and “Kytky Aster” (Bouquets of Asters). Of the volumes devoted to the philosophic contemplation of the basic facts of life, love and