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34

A HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN

LITERATURE

According to Dr. Jirecek, the total sum of the works

I

a

is

it is

A

a

is,

of Blahoslav amounts to twenty-eight ; many of them, however, including his most important work, have been lost. His controversial writings on theology, as was then usual, mostly took the form of letters. Such writings are the letters to Brother Zachary, to Martin of 2dtec (Saaz), to the Lord Marshal Berthold of Lfpa, &c. Like Augusta, Blahoslav was a great writer of hymns, many of which are preserved in the Kancionali or hymn-books of the Unity. The composition of these hymns no doubt induced Blahoslav to write the curious treatise entitled Music, or, to give the full name as prefixed to the second edition of Blahoslav's book, " Music, that small book containing the information necessary for singers. Written in the Bohemian language on the wish of several good friends, and first printed in the now carefully coryear of the Lord 1558 at Olmiitz rected and reprinted rules and instructions necessary to chanters and composers of hymns are added." In " the preface to this quaint work Blahoslav writes branch of pride, and not the least one, consists in the desire to be known to many, to be considered witty and The sensible, and to be esteemed in consequence. desire to obtain distinction by one's virtues and other senseless similar things indeed praiseworthy. Yet work and strive with much to undertake too difficult effort for an object as vain as the steam of smoke. There are many, too, who might be compared to that Herostratus, who, wishing to obtain great fame, burnt down the great Temple of Diana at the risk of his life. mention who, in our days, pub. . . Those only will lish books in the Bohemian language, wishing thus to obtain great fame for themselves some who wish to