The Washington times., 1922-10-08


opportunity to meet distinguished
foreigners greater than elsewhere.
and to learn Slayonic languages;
also to imbibs Psychology. psy.
choanalysis. the arts and sciences.
law. history. and especially en-
cheering. under distinguished rro-
fessors in the four or moro univer-
stiles Of this charming old city.
Flambeau, thought that he had
already seen beautiful women and
marvellous acting until his visit to
the Mestske Divaldo. town theater.
where he saw "Troilus and Cres-
sida," Greek play never given in
America and little known in Eng
land. but splendidiy acted to q
crowded house, sold out, and all
standing room also taken.
As the director, DR.. Fuksa, ex-
planned in German to Flambeau.
so pleased was the British min
lister to Prague with the Shakes
peare performances that he wrote
letter of congratulation to the
director. The figure of woman
among the Czechs is a different
type from that elsewhere In Hu-
rope. a. Mr.. waldes said to Flam-
beau later, when showing his art
collections. The roundness Of the
calf Of the leg is marked, as also
Of the figure at the hips. yet there
Ia q subtlety Of refinement which
cannot be duplicated. It is con-
sidered by many the most beauti-
ful In Europe. The Americans are
rivals. 30 the Czechs say. The
faces are piquant and the figure
strong.
MEN ARE HEROIC.
The mon are heroic and hand
some. The actors played with
sturdy bare legs. both men and
women. yet there was nothing
coarse or suggestive. but always
the culture Of art about every
movement. every speech.
An agreeable incident of Flam.
beau's stay in Prague was the
ready help he found among the
winding streets. One evening he
had gone out alone to see the
Charles bridge and the vltava
river at twilight. and coming back
through the Jewish quarter he
found himself hopelessly lost.
But. stopping at a little shop,
to buy a few postcards and a pho
tograph of President Masaryk.
who Is 30 fond Of Americans that
he married a lady from Boston,
Flambeau asked to be directed,
and the shopkeeper. a bookseller
named Zikmund Reach, at sko-
repka 9, Praha /, insisted upon nc.
companying Flambeau. to whom
he talked all the way In German.
He said he liked Americans, and
he refused Flambeau's tip at the
end. because he said he wanted to
do this for America. and he hoped
some more American visitors would
come to his shop. "Praha" is, of
course. simply the Czech name for
Prague"
Flambeau Is very sure that he
has not seen all the museums and
picture galleries Of Prague, though
he did his best, and Mr.. Spacek.
OF the legation. was also most anx.
ious to be helpful Here. They Wis.
tied many. including the Modern
Exposition near the Baumgarten.
the frescos Of the Belvedere build.
ing. giving the history Of Prague,
and the chronological Museum.
and Flambeau saw also the Mu.
scum Of Arts and Industries.
Thke modern Czech school OF
painting is exceedingly vigorous.
and at the same time harmonious
and pleasing. There is nothing
decadent or futuristic about its
best work. as seen by Flambeaa.
but always the sense Of beauty of
form and brilliance OF color is
dominant. Many Of the artists are
already well known in America, as
Joseph Names. the leader; Max
Sawbinsky. no doubt the most
famous today: T. r. Simon tpr.
Shenon). the etcher; Mikolas Ats,
also a marvellous etcher; Mucha,
known for murals. besides a school
Of sculpture, with many famous
names, such as Bohumii Kafka,
who will arrange for the Csecho.
slovak exposition at Washington,
and Jan Stursa, who has created
the new monument to. the fallen
soldier. Wounded" which will
soon be erected in Prague.
A "wALDEs MUSEUM"
Another interesting building
through which Fiambeau was per.
sonaily conducted was the swa!des
Museum" q remarkable technical
collection showing the hlstory CT
dress IN m tenin1a vwornap aps. pra~r>~s