Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/161

135 ment of medicine and surgery we must refer to the names of B. Eiselt, E. Albert (Vienna), E. Maixner, Schöbl, Deyl, Thomayer, V. Maydl and J. Reinsberg. As eminent chemists we hawe pleasure in giving the names of J. Sv. Presl, Vojt. Šafařík, B. Raymann and B. Brauner.

In the science of Laws A. Randa, E. Ott, J. Pražák, A. Zucker, Boh. Rieger and Bráf have achieved great eminence.

The influence of the Daily and Periodical press on the public life of Bohemia, is as great, far-reaching;—and we may add, beneficial in its effects as it has been in other countries which enjoy the stimulating light springing from the independant 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, the number of them increased now more than three times, and the „signs of the times“ lead us to anticipate a continuous progress. It is a fact of most satisfactory kind, that the national thirst for knowledge grows; and it is to the press that all classes in Bohemia look to for the supply of their worthy requirements.

Now, we shall endeavour to give a brief sketch of the history of Journalism in Bohemia.

The title of Bohemia’s first newspaper was most appropriate, very short and to the point, „Noviny“, meaning „News“. It contained reports of the important events of a most exciting time, the progress of the Turkish wars furnishing it with plenty of thrilling matter to fill its columns. Another Journal was brought out in 1597, and published in Prague under the editorship of Daniel Sedlčanský, but the general disturbance caused by the Thirty Years war had a blighting effect upon this journalistic venture. In this, present-day journalism differs from that of olden time, great wars now-a-days,— death-dealing though they be, give life and strength to the modern newspaper with its staff of brilliant war correspondents.

Another attempt was made with but moderate results at the close of the seventeenth century, and it was not