From a Terrace in Prague

There are many excuses for the writing of books, and sometimes there may even be sufficient reason. I offer no excuses, but will give what reasons I have for committing to paper these my reflections or meditations inspired by the sight of a fine old capital city as seen from a Terrace in Prague.

The first reason I wish to give may be altruistic, namely, that finding so many of my race quite ignorant of Prague and all that city stands for right down the ages, I feel compelled to add my mite to what has already been written about the subject.

My second reason, a strong one with me, arises out of my inability to enjoy things of beauty and interest without letting my friends know about them. This may be a weak and selfish reason, but there it is.

The third reason rests on my intense desire that you should come out here, to Prague, even to the terrace of my choice, and look at the scene through my eyes while I would endeavour to see it through yours. This, I admit, is undiluted selfishness on my part.

While awaiting you, I am preparing, by means of this work, to introduce you to a goodly throng of those who know or knew this city and loved it well. Perhaps they may admit me to their round table as the last to arrive, and the least. In any case, I owe them a debt of gratitude for their help in becoming acquainted with Prague and the deeper meaning of this glorious city. There are many such kindly helpers: there was Cosmas Pragensis the chronicler, Palacky the historian, there was Count Luetzow, whose works on Prague, as on his native country, are inspired by intense love of them, and illumined by transparent honesty. There are others still among us and doing useful work. A walk with Dr. Je[vr]abek in the gardens of Waldstein's palace, a talk with Professor [vS]kola, and many other good friends of mine in Prague, have made a pleasure of this work I have undertaken. Out of sheer joy in the things I have seen and heard, and the kindly spirit that informed those who helped me, have I written and illustrated this book From a Terrace in Prague.

+-------------------------------------------------+ |Transcriber's note: | | | |In this text the caron has been represented with | | | |[vx] [vX] etc. | +-------------------------------------------------+

CONTENTS

PAGE

PREFACE 7

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCES PRAGUE 14

CHAPTER II

ABOUT GUIDES AND GUIDE BOOKS AND THE WEATHER OF PRAGUE 32

CHAPTER III

VY[vS]EHRAD, LIBU[vS]A AND P[vR]EMYSL, AND OTHER EARLY NOTABLES OF PRAGUE, AMONG THEM ST. WENCESLAUS 50

CHAPTER IV

MORE ABOUT ST. WENCESLAUS AND HIS IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS 70

CHAPTER V

GOOD AND BAD RULERS OF BOHEMIA UP TO A CONTEMPORARY OF FREDERICK BARBAROSSA. STRAHOV MONASTERY 88

CHAPTER VI

FIVE KINGS OF THE HOUSE OF P[vR]EMYSL, INTRODUCES THE FIRST HABSBURG TO VISIT BOHEMIA 106

CHAPTER VII

BLIND KING JOHN OF BOHEMIA 130

CHAPTER VIII

CHARLES IV KING OF BOHEMIA, OF THE GERMANS, AND ROMAN EMPEROR. [vZ]I[vS]KA AND HIS HUSSITES. ABOUT SOME CHURCHES IN PRAGUE 148

CHAPTER IX

CHARLES AND HIS BRIDGE. HIS SON WENCESLAUS. JOHN NEPOMUK AND JOHN HUS 166

CHAPTER X

A HOUSING PROBLEM. ANCIENT AND MODERN PRAGUE 192

CHAPTER XI

SIGISMUND AND OTHER HABSBURGS. GEORGE PODIEBRAD, ALSO THE "WINTER KING" 216

CHAPTER XII