Page:Bohemia's claim for freedom.djvu/65

 starting-point of a serious study into the nature of our humour in general. Its foundations are already given in these tales, and what will be added can be only by way of enriching, not of changing. It is possible to learn, but not to imitate. We have something of our own that is beautiful and good.

Irony light as breath flows through all the incidents of these tales. But this irony does not disgust you with man, on the contrary, it reconciles and equalises; it teaches us to love, does not punish, but excuses; and it leads to good through goodness. It neither fumes nor rages; it is a man's consciousness of his own superiority over the whole surrounding world. The charm of this irony does not freeze, but it warms; it loves and teaches to love. This is the philosophic aspect of our folklore.

Author:Vilém Mrštík.

 

HE influence of the daily and periodical Press on the public life of Bohemia is far-reaching and beneficial in its effects, as it has been in other countries which enjoy the stimulating light that springs from the independent Press of a freedom-loving people.

The development of journalism throughout the country has been extraordinarily rapid. Since 1882, when there were in Bohemia proper only 145 newspapers, that number has increased more than three times over, and the "signs of  61