The New York herald., 1922-07-09
THERE is little in Honza's ap-

ligence. The lips are Of generous
fulIness and wear habitually a wide.
bland smile: the cheeks are round
and rosy. He seems ingenious as .
child. but there is a CLINT of native
shrewdness behind Honza's twinklinS
blue eyes Chat suggests a little Of
the very interesting personality Of
this distinguished Bohemian actor.
In attire his taste knows no reserve.
He delights in scarlet waistcoats.
green caps and many shiny buttons. /
When 1 approached Honza with
my request for an interview he came
down from the peg on which he had
been hanging and bowed with courtly
grace, though perhaps a trifle wood
enly. 'I had thought of writing up
my observations and comments in an
autobiography to be entitled Memoirs
of a Marionette,' he said.
hastened to assure Honza that
did not wish to lessen the value Of
his memoirs by any premature dis
closures, but that I desired to pass
on to the public any information he
might be able to give me on New
Bohemia, which lies between Second
avenue and the East River in the
East Seventies. Honza waggled his
head in consent-he meant to nod,
but his head was slightly loose that
morning.
Something of History.
"I am a Bohemian" said HonZa-
~I suppose. considering my profess
sion, you will say. Naturally But
your association of ideas is incorrect
In justice to my native country
will clear away this confusion OF
terms before proceeding further.
When communication between the
countries of Europe was less fire.
quent than it is now, great many
years ago, bands of gypsies wandered
into France from Bohemia and were
miscalled Bohemians. From the
racial characteristics Of the gypsies
then. the popular idea Of Bohemian
ism Is derived. and the term is ap-
piled to would-be artists. opponents
of convention. people who live bizarre
and irresponsible lives.
Contrast these traits with the
characteristics of the true Bohe-
fliails. or Czechs, as we are called in
our own tongue. We were origi-
naiiy an agricultural and pastoral
people, content to live the peaceful
peasant life. We did not love war
fare. but we loved freedom more
than we hated fighting. Almost six
centuries ago Bohemia came into Its
golden age. In 1348 the first uni
versity planned along modern lines
was established in our capital city
Of Prague, and that university Is
still in operation. A century before
Christendom was shaken by the Ger
man Reformation John Huss Of Bo-
hernia stated his principles and paid
with his life.
For more than a hundred years
we Czechs have been dominated by
the Austrians and Hungarians; we
were conquered, but not subdued.
Our looks were suppressed, our Ian
guage was forbidden. our tyrants
used every means to root out the
tradition of freedom we had inher-
lted- But in all the country dis
tyicts the old songs persisted, and
the old poetry, and the old legends
OF the glory of cur country. Al
ways we looked to the day of our
deliverance. Even 1 have played q
small part in keeping alive that
tradition of glory. I am only a per-
forming doll, but 1 have played my
part"
Honza grew pensive. and fell in
to silence. Perhaps he was thinking
OF the successful performance Of the
last hour. when he had entertained
fifty delighted little New York Czechs
with his Interpretation of the play
"Honza and the Dragon"
The Old Woman Knew.
These children" he said, Scarce