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52

A HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN LITERATURE

works of their ancient writers, no book is more constantly in their hands than the Labyrinth. Before noticing a few of the many works of Komensky, I shall give a brief account of his adventurous life.^ John Amos Komenskj' was born at Ungarisch Brod in Moravia, or, according to some authorities, in the small neighbouring town of Nivnice, in 1592. He received his first education at Ungarisch Brod, and after the early death of his parents visited the school of Straznic, where Drabik — destined to have so fatal an influence on Komenskj — was also then studying. Komensky's early impressions of the schools of the Unity were decidedly unfavourable. He complained that the masters made no attempt to attract the interest and attention of their pupils, overburdened their memories by insisting on unnecessary mechanical enumerations of words and facts, and stimulated the failing memory by the incessant and exaggerated application of corporal punishment. In the Labyrinth, written in Komensky's youth, he graphically It is probable that describes his school experiences. these experiences first suggested to him his vast plan of remodelling the then accepted system of education. From Straznic Komenskj proceeded to Prerau (Pferov), ^

read

Those who wish to study the life of Komenskj in greater detail

Mr. Keatinge's biographical

and historical

introduction

should

to his recently

The biography of of the Didactica Maffiia. published English and Latin authorities. It is Komenskj is founded on the best German only occasionally that mistakes occur, as when it is stated (on page i of version

" took a position midway between the Utrathe introduction) that 'the Unity the contrary, quists and the Roman Catholics." The Utraquists were, on to accept all its nearest to Rome, and some of them were indeed prepared teaching if the right to receive communion s ubjitra que, i n the two kind s, were

granted them. The Brethren were of all Soheiiiiari reJormers mo'sTahtagowhich, nistic to the Church of Rome, and refused to recognise all institutions Church. according to their views, had not existed in the primitive