Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-04
Correspondence Of the Free Press.
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
NO. LX.
Prague.

i"S"O, iiho sO many vi tneoo Olu loWhos
has an carly history in which it is quite i'm
possible to discover the line which separates
fact from fable Moro than thousand years
ago, says tradition and legend. Libussa, an
Amazonian heroine who united in her per-
son the character of soldier and pricstess, Sc
lectcd this place for the beginning of an en-
prc. She cut away the forest and established
her residence on rocky prccipice, which she
fortified Sensual and capricious. she Sc
lectcd her lovers from among her followers
and dependents. She soon tired of them, and
as soon as her fancy changed, she caused the
discarded favorite to be thrown from the
rocky height of her castle to the rocky base
below and Immediately installed new can
didatc in her favor The rocky base goes
,,,;, now nv the name of Libussa's bed -
Finally her fancy chose young rea,an. ~. ~,
forwards called premislas, who knew how to
fistcn her affections and to curb her wander
ing fnncies lie made himselfhcr master, as
well by the skillful management of her affcc-
tions as by the force of his will and in her
name and o,tcnsibly by her, he laid out the
beginning of Prague on the rocky heights
which now form part of it, and she in his
presence, surrounded by the subordinate
leaders of her people, IN the double character
of Queen and Pricstcss, with sybillinc phren-
zy and stirring cloqucncc, prophesied the flu
turc greatness, fame and glory of the infant
city which she then called by its present
name Prag, said to be significant of its po-
sition and rocky grades. She and Premslas
devoted their united energies to establishing
and extending their power; and from them
were descended the carly line of the Dukes of
Bohemia, whose capital was Prague.
They are said to have built first the IIrad-
schin, the royal palaces, and the Kleinscitc,
n little side which lies about the foot of the
llradschin. Neyt was built or began what
was then called ' New Town, on the other
side of the ri, and which now is known as
the Old To" and embraces the Jews town
or Jews iartcr, occupied by some GO,OOo
Israclitos. Subsequently has been added
the modern new town, the whole forming a
city of about 10000 people, and 10 or II
miles IN circumference. 1t contains about
5000 houses, and GO places OF worship be-
sides nunneries and monastcries. 1t is in lat
tudc 50o-thrce degrees further north than
Quebec, and yet enjoys a tolerably mild eli
mate, though said to be subject to sudden
changes. 1t was exceedingly agreeable and
pleasant while We were there. The lIrad-
schin is the royal quarter of thccity-strctch-
ing along the brow Of IA high hill. 1t is the
palace, and the towers, and the prisons, and
the cathedral, and the other institutions of
the sovereignty of Bohemia now absorbed in
the Austrian empire The Klcinscite lying
on the bank of the river ut the foot Of the
palace hill, is the residence of the higher no.
bility. These are on the left bank of the
river. On the right bank are the old town,
the quaint old home of the people, the priests,
the mon of letters and the burghers, embra-
cling the Jews quarter and about it is spread
out the new town, bright. airy, modern and
thrifty with its commerce and manufactures,
its railroa dcpots and useful activity.
Prague - Praga proud venerable old
Prague, the Capital Of Bohemia, is one of
the most interesting capitals of Europe. Al
though united to Austria and no longer an
independent sovereignty, one cannot help
looking at it as still the capital so famous for
near thousand years and a the scene OF
events, political, religious, and literary, so
stirrine and wonderful. 1t rises in irregular
and rocky heights from both sides of the Mol
dan, which are covered by the striking build
ings of the city and are connected by mas
i've stonc-bridgc 1890 feet long and 35 feets
wide, consisting of sixteen arches. This
bridge is striking object, but more for its
solidity and strength than for its beauty.
From it, in various directions. the eye takes
in Prague and its cnvirons, and standing on
it's sidewalks you have but to ask the histo-
ry and meaning of the striking Objects which
seem to cluster about you, and stories OF ro-
mantle and legendary lore. Of history and
fable and fiction might while away the
liyelong day. Its history suggests the his
tory of Prague and subjects for library of
romanccs, for Prague has IA history which,
written with the pen OF master, should be
as attractive and as spirit-stirring without
departing from the sober truth, as any great
chapter of the story of the world. On its
towers are inscriptions and blazonry which
declare the past glories of Bohemia. The de-
fence of the bridge Of Garigliaus against 2oo
Spanish cavalry by the chevalier Bayard
alone. does not equal the valor and civic de-
votion of the great jesuit, George Plachy,
who, when the ridge was about to be crossed
by $500 Swodes, victorious thus far, rushed
out of the College, and with three soldiers
and handful of students and the port cul-
lis. which he instantly let fall, defended the
bridge and saved the town.
The bridge is surnounted by statues in
great Numbers, each of which has its history
and tr dtions-ani there are also inscrip
tons, historical and religious. The statues
are almost 100 years old, and some Of them
have considerable merit a. works of art.
They are the subject Of u folio, published in
IVA, entitled Statue Porhs Prageas,s. The
river sweeps through the town in the form
of crescent, which, while it leaves in sight
from the bridge all the islands, brings into
the panorama most interesting views on both
banks, 1t it is not without a show of truth
at least, that the citizens Of Prague insist
that, seen from the bridge, especially, 1t is
unequuled by any city in Europe. Had
Bohemia maintained her separate indepcnd-
ence and nrnsrrynl a throne and a court