THE CITY OF PRAGUE

FROM A TERRACE

IN PRAGUE

BY

Lieut.-Col. B. GRANVILLE BAKER, D.S.O., F.R.G.S.

WITH 36 ILLUSTRATIONS AND ONE MAP

NEW YORK
BRENTANO'S

PUBLISHERS[Pg 4]
(All rights reserved)

Printed in Great Britain by
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, LONDON AND WOKING[Pg 5]

THIS BOOK
IS DEDICATED TO
A WISE AND GENTLE LADY WHO
LOOKS OUT UPON LIFE
FROM A TERRACE

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PREFACE

There are many excuses for the writing of books, and sometimes there mayeven be sufficient reason. I offer no excuses, but will give whatreasons I have for committing to paper these my reflections ormeditations inspired by the sight of a fine old capital city as seenfrom a Terrace in Prague.

The first reason I wish to give may be altruistic, namely, that findingso many of my race quite ignorant of Prague and all that city stands forright down the ages, I feel compelled to add my mite to what has alreadybeen written about the subject.

My second reason, a strong one with me, arises out of my inability toenjoy things of beauty and interest without letting my friends knowabout them. This may be a weak and selfish reason, but there it is.

The third reason rests on my intense desire that you should come outhere, to Prague, even to the terrace of my choice, and look at the scenethrough my eyes while I would endeavour to see it through yours. This, Iadmit, is undiluted selfishness on my part.

While awaiting you, I am preparing, by means of this work, to introduceyou to a goodly throng of those who know or knew this city and loved itwell. Perhaps they may admit me to their round table as the last toarrive, and the least. In any case, I owe them a debt of gratitude fortheir help in becoming acquainted with Prague and the deeper meaning ofthis glorious city. There are many such kindly helpers: there was CosmasPragensis the chronicler, Palacky the historian, there was Count Lützow,whose works on Prague, as on his native country, are inspired by intenselove of them, and illumined by transparent[Pg 8] honesty. There are othersstill among us and doing useful work. A walk with Dr. Jeřabek in thegardens of Waldstein's palace, a talk with Professor Škola, and manyother good friends of mine in Prague, have made a pleasure of this workI have undertaken. Out of sheer joy in the things I have seen and heard,and the kindly spirit that informed those who helped me, have I writtenand illustrated this book From a Terrace in Prague.[Pg 9]

CONTENTS