Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/158

132 denced by the works by Vilém Slavata (1572—1652), Balbín Bohuslav (1621—88) and Gel. Dobner (1719—90), historical writings maintained a high level of excellence notwithstanding the distracting nature of the time. On other directions the literary decay seemed so complete, that even eminent Bohemian scholars began to fear that the nation and its language would be extinguished.

A mighty impulse was necessary to awaken the people from their lethargy, and this came from two sources. First, from the West consequent on the French revolution which aroused the self-conscientiousness of the nation, and secondly from within through the oppression of the germanising efforts of the government which caused a powerful reaction. The leader of this new movement was an eminent student of slavonic languages Josef Dobrovský (1753—1829) and next to him the historian F. M. Pelcl (1734—1801). Another who rendered much assistance was the popular writer V. M. Kramerius (1759—1808) and many other authors.

The poetry of this time was absolutely the expression of the aim and aspirations of the writers,, who with patriotic zeal and ardour were striving to raise the standard of literary excellence to a level worthy of the Bohemian nation.

Epic and lyrical poetry is represented by the works of A. J. Puchmajer (1769—1820), Šebest. Hněvkovský (1770—1847) and M. Z. Polák (1788—1856). Another generation of eminent men arose in F. L. Čelakovský (1799— 1852), J. Kollár (1793—1852) and K. J. Erben (1811—1870), whose poems have a well established pre-eminence.

The „Byronic“ style was introduced into Bohemian poetry by K. H. Mácha (1821—1856). The eminent Journalist Karel Havlíček showed up with biting satire, the frivolousness of society in this time.

Novels of high literary merit, written by Božena Němcová and J. K. Tyl (1808—56), and light entertaining works by F. J. Rubeš (1804—53), fairly represent the department of fiction. Most prominent as dramatists, stand the names of J. J. Kolár (1812—96), V. K. Klicpera (1792—1859), and J. K. Tyl.

After the eventful year of 1848, there were again marked signs of the influence of foreign thought and style