Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 27, 1916.djvu/372

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344
Reviews.

Balbín's addition in Březan-Heerman. Certain proceedings of copyists-plagiarists, such as Balbín and Heerman, are pointed out as characteristic of the period. Working with this genealogical enthusiasm Jesuit demonology would be well able to produce the results.

He agrees with the South German, Bayreuth origin, assigned by Wollman, but sticks to his date and Sophia Hohenzollern as the one who brought the story into the Rosenberg family.

The banquet is an alien element introduced into the story. The first direct reports (1600) come from Bohmische Krummau (C. Krumlov) and then Neuhaus, never from Třebon. At the two former were Jesuit colleges, but not at Třebon. The Jesuits report the appearance and bring it up at castle after castle, when it became fashionable. It is a largely genealogical and political idea of the Jesuits, introduced at a certain date after the Hohenzollern marriage.

F. Wollman replies in the next number with some fresh evidences for his view and corrections of alleged errors by Salaba.

14. Beginning with the obituary notice at the time of his death and noting what has been written about Vavák since, the writer then turns to an analysis of the "Reminiscences." He was an agriculturist of note, an honorary citizen of Pilsen and judge at Milčice, having been wholly self-educated. The historical parts of the analysis, though of value as showing the high quality as well as the limits of Vavák's work, cannot be dealt with here. In the Reminiscences many matters of wide interest are copied. Thus there is a very violent sixteenth century poem against the Monks, which is not printed in full by the editor. An original poem of his own is a valuable summary of all the ills of villainage-serfdom as existing in Austria before Joseph II.'s abolition ot it. Very soon it was reinstated by Leopold, and great troubles ensued, as to which Vavák is illuminating and candid. He gives a series of brief accounts of various charms and old beliefs, as of the wooden pathway leading up from the castle of Libice in Libussa's time, of the army covered up inside the summit, of the great battle which the prophecy says will take place between Cidlina and Mrlina and end in the defeat of the enemy coming from the north. Although he gives with varying attitude a certain selection of