The Washington times., 1922-05-21

OF course, we now call the
Moldau the Vltava, a lovely river
spanned by nine bridges in Prague,
which we now pronounce with
fhe European "a" Czechoslo-
vakians have assumed the native
names again. and Karlsbad is now
Karlovy Vary.
The Vltava river, with its
bridges. is the subject Of many art
lists portrayals, to which the ancient
royal castle above and the several
nearby cathedrals all lend their
charm. The Church Of Saint Vitus,
which dates from the Fourteenth
century. was built on foundations
laid by Prince Wenceslas. He was
induced to build this church by the
gift Of an arm of Saint Vitus, a
precious relic that he received
from the German King, Henry I.
The first church was in the early
prevailing Romanesque style, but
remained unfinished, and was re-
built and enlarged as Saint Vitus
Cathedral by the Bohemian En-
peror. Charles Nv. the great his
toric native monarch.
There are many traditions con-
nected with this church. In
which the history OF Bohemia
and its capital, Prague, Is in
tertwined
King wenceslas was cruelty
murdered by his brother Bobes-
Law, and Wenceslas was after
ward canonized by the church.
and became, like Saint Vitus. the
patron Of his church. The ring
on the bronze gate is still pointed
out, in the beautiful old chapel.
where the king is said to have
clung when attacked by his
brother. The walls are inlaid
with Bohemian precious stones,
and the chapel contains the armor
and helmet OF the martyred
Saint wenceslas. From this
chapel a secret passage leads to
the room where the Bohemian
crown jewels are preserved. Other
old churches are those Of Saint
George, Saint Nicholas and
Maria pred Tynem."
GOVERNMENT A LA q. g.
The new government OF Cze-
choslovakia, modelled on the
democratic American plan, has a
president, a senate and a house
OF representatives. President
Masaryk. who is extremely popu-
lar with his people, has an
American wife, who was Miss
Charlotte Garrick Ferguson. Of
Boston. Like the president. she
is now a stately figure Of elder.
ly years.
An interesting recent portrait
OF President Masaryk, by the
Bohemian artist Boettinger,
represents the president watch
ing the famous gymnastic games
held every fourth year in Prague.
and his interest appears as keen
as that of President Harding at
an American baseball game.
Boettinger is the most Q ccessful
native humorist and caricaturist
among the artists.
Max Swabinsky. the head Of
the Art Academy in Prague. is
the artist Of mystery. whether
his subject Is a scene Of tropi-
cal life, a Fight Of Indian IT,
gers" an allegorical Summer in
Bohemia, or Morning Hunt" a
modern Diana. hidden in a for
est and winging a bird of para
disc with her bow and arrow.
T. F. Simon, VINO spent ten
years in Paris before the world
war, Is again living in his native
city. Prague. and In producing
beautiful etchings o. many differ.
ent themes, sometimes Of mis- own
land, at others Of France or Hol-
land. He is a leader in etching,
technique and color, and has re-
Gently written a new Book to
Assist Students in the Graphic
Arts" published in December, 1921,
an illustrated treatise on copper
plate, wood etching and color etch.
ing. Since the war Simon has
already brought out a series OF ton
splendid color etchtnFs. entitled
''Hradcany," with views Of the