East European Quarterly/Volume 15/Number 1/František Palacký and His Wife Terezie

by Jaroslava Hoffmannová

FRANTIŠEK PALACKÝ AND HIS WIFE TEREZIE

 

Jaroslava Hoffmannová
National Technical Museum, Prague

A century has passed since the death of the politician, historian, and, in the broad sense of the term, “public servant,” František Palacký. His public as well as academic work was greatly influenced by his family relationships. The meaning of his marriage to Terezie Měchurová is best portrayedi n his own words: “All of the happiness that I experienced in my lifetime stems from my marrying into this household.”¹ Palacký resided in the old palace, formally of the MacNevens, in the present Palacký Street in the New Town of Prague, from his marriage in 1827 until his death in 1876.

František Palacký was born on June 14, 1798, in the Moravian town of Hodslavice. His father was a Protestant teacher who in order to support his vast family also worked as a farmer, a tradesman, and a craftsman. At the age of eight and a half, the gifted František was sent by his father to the aristocratic German school in nearby Kunvald (today Kunfn). During his stay, he lived with the brewer, Werner. In Werner’s household the only person with any knowledge of Czech was the brewer’s cousin, Nanny Urbanová, of approximately Palacký’s age. With “his beloved Nanny he quickly became very good friends.” Together they were taught to play the plano by the organist, Richter.

Palacký spent the rest of his childhood and youth in Slovakia. At first he frequented the Latin evangelical grammar school in Trenčín and later continued his studies at the Evangelical Boys’ High School (Lyceum) in Bratislava, formerly Pressburg. In the course of his studies and primarily after their completion, Palacký acted as a tutor in noble households. During this period he became quite attached to Nina Zerdahely.

In September, 1819, Palacký noted in his diary (which he kept from 1818 almost until his death in 1876) that “even our more noble part [meaning the female sex] needs certain charms which provide it not only with a good and tender heart but also a cultured intellect.”² Palacký found this type of woman in Nina Zerdahely, born Baloghy, for whose nieces and fosterlings he was a tutor. When Zerdahely and Palacký met, he was nineteen and she thirty-seven. A great deal has been written about this relationship, and opinions on the subject vary greatly. However, if we consider Palacký to be a living human being and not a naive saint, we can interpret the contents of his diary to suggest a warm friendship. The cultivated personality of Nina Zerdahely strongly influenced the future life and work of František Palacký. In 1865, when writing his biography for Rieger’s Encyclopedia, he still remembered the merits of their relationship.

In 1823, Palacky terminated his tutorial functions for the Hungarian noblewoman, Csúza, bade farewell to Nina Zerdahely, and departed. After a short stay in Vienna and in his native region, he left for Prague. He arrived in Prague on April 11, 1823, with the intention of studying the sources useful for the writing of Czech history, primarily of the Hussite Period. Prague became his permanent residence.

Shortly after his arrival in Prague, Palacky’s exceptional abilities placed him in the foreground of the public scene. He was in contact with many of Prague’s leading scholars. Palacký was a friend of Jungmann and as a historian became the student of Dobrovský. He also gained the respect of the founders of the Prague Museum, František and Kašpar, Counts of Šternberk. From the uncertain post as the Šternberks’ archivist, Palacký rose, in 1827, to be the first editor of the newly established Czech and German journals of the Patriotic Museum.

Palacký also became an active participant in Prague’s social life. He became a distinguished guest in many noble as well as bourgeois salons. Palacky’s diary from this period contains numerous women’s names: Countess Vratislav, Baroness Marie Hennetová, the two sisters Sofie and Marie Meklová, Jenny Havránková, Marie Obitecká, and others. Many of them were members of the musical societies in which Palacký took part. However, one woman meant more to Palacký, Lidmila Brožová. Palacký lived in her neighborhood, and therefore had known her since 1823. Count Mercandin, in whom she confided, wrote to Palacký in October, 1823, requesting him to take Lidmila under his care. Lidmila’s singing enchanted Palacký, and in March, 1825, he proposed to her. Palacky’s uncertainty was short-lived: he was denied. Their friendship continued, however, and Palacký found consolation in Lidmila even after his heart belonged to another woman for whom he had long yearned. And Lidmila was among the first to be notified by Palacký of his engagement to Terezie Měchurová.

Palacký encountered Terezie for the first time on March 2, 1824, at a masquerade. On the same day, he distinguished himself a historian, when he read the family tree of the Šternberks, prepared for Hormayr’s Taschenbuch, to Dobrovský and the Counts František and Kašpar Šternberk. On April 17, 1825, through his acquaintance with the poet Karel Egon Ebert, Palacký met the young musical composer Leopold Měchura, Terezie’s brother. A week later, on April 21, Ebert accompanied Palacký on his first visit to Měchura, and the two men became good friends, visiting each other frequently.

Marie Červinková-Riegrová, Palacký’s granddaughter, recorded in her notes: “On May 23, 1882, Marianne Tašková and I visited the poet Ebert, to ask him for the papers left by my grandfather . . . . [Ebert] spoke of my grandmother and her sister Toni . . . . He mentioned that Palacký was at first attracted to Toni, and only later approached Terezie. Ebert also stated that, at the time, Terezie was in the midst of an unhappy affair with a disloyal lover. Being aware of this, her family probably urged her to consider Palacký. The fact that my grandmother’s love affair before Palacký was an unhappy one was also confirmed by my mother.”³ Palacký’s diary notes do not in any way contradict the above evidence. Antonie Měchurová was quite beautiful and somewhat younger than her sister Terezie. At that time she did not have any serious ties, even though scores of men had proposed to her, undoubtedly Ebert among them. Later Antonie married Jan Heyrovský, the chief forester to Count Schwarzenberg. Not long after her marriage she died, leaving several ophaned children.

From his portrait and other evidence of the 1820s, we know that František Palacký was a handsome man, with blond hair, blue eyes, and definite social poise. Without trying to hide his simple Czech background, he had not only the ability to enter the aristocratic salons but also to maintain a distinct social presence there. Therefore, it is understandable why Palacký was so strongly conscious of the physical disorder that had troubled him since the age of fifteen. He was suffering from a goiter, and all efforts to treat the ailment proved hopeless. Lidmila Brožová’s refusal of Palacký’s proposal also must have deeply affected his sensitive personality.

We also have some idea of Terezie Měchurová’s appearance from her portrait and the written description by her granddaughter, Marie Červinková-Riegrová: “Terezie was of medium height and slender figure. Brown hair lined her friendly face. Although Terezie was less beautiful than her younger sister, she had expressive brown eyes and always exuded the charm of a cultivated girl. Possessing numerous gifts of the spirit as well as a lively temperament and social tact, she radiated a clear, joyful mind and a healthy humor. She had one of those happy, harmonious female personalities to which the correct proportion of intellect and sentiment is given and in whose presence one could live a blissful life. She had the true, gentle, feminine charm which captivates and refreshes with its lively spirit.”⁴ From early childhood, however, she had suffered from a heart ailment and nervousness, and there seemed to be no hope of a future improvement in her health.

Jan Měchura, the father of Leopold, Terezie, Antonie, Karel, and little Marie, was a prominent Prague lawyer in the 1820s. By his first marriage to Marie of the noble Lankiš family of Hornice, he gained ties to many aristocratic families. In Prague, he inhabited the old palace of the MacNevens. In addition, he owned the estate of Otin with the towns of Předslaví, Hrabatice, and later Chucle near Klatovice, and among other properties also the estate of Lobkovice. Marie Červinková-Riegrová wrote of him: “Měchura was a true family patriarch. Being a sworn enemy of all new, subversive ideas, he had great respect for old laws and the old order. He was thoroughly conservative in his political preferences, something of an aristocrat.”⁵ It must be added that, in contrast with Palacký who was a Protestant, Měchura was Catholic. The language spoken in the Měchura family was, of course, German.

Jan Měchura’s decision to accept Palacký, a man neither of means nor status, for his son-in-law was undoubtedly based on Palacký’s exceptional abilities, character, and circumspect behavior. The family doctor of the Měchuras, Dr. Held, rector of Prague University and a friend of Palacký, also had an important influence on Měchura’s decision. However, Palacký first had to succeed at the difficult task of gaining Terezie’s affection. He first became interested in her on hearing her beautiful playing of the harp. His diary is a testimony to his anticipations and temporary failures. On June 29, 1825, Palacký noted in his diary: “Before lunch I was at Měchura’s and to my great pleasure heard his older sister play the harp.”⁶ On Ocotber 29, 1825, Palacký wrote that he was “at the sisters Měchura, where I first took part in playing the piano with Terezie.”⁷ Though Terezie still had her “lover,” Bauer, Palacký visited the Měchuras often. He accompanied her on the piano while she played the harp, accompanied both sisters while they sang, and played four-handed piano pieces with them. Gradually he gained the sympathy of their esteemed father.

Experiencing serious ups and downs, Palacký wrote on October 14, 1826: “Today is a fateful day of my life. I worked the whole day at home and at my office finishing up my historical writing. Lunch at the Red House with Mr. Štěpanovský. Visited twice with the ill Baron Stenč. Evening at the Měchuras; celebration of Terezie’s name day. I confided in Terezie that I love her, but on receiving neither a clear nor the desired answer I was considerably confused and experienced feelings of bitter hopelessness. Nevertheless, I had to disregard my outraged heart and work the entire night until 3:30 A.M.”⁸

Finally, on October 20, 1826, Palacký wrote: “Today is the happiest day of my life till now. Mechura and Ebert came into my office and told me the news. Speaking with her father, Terezie confessed her love for me. Therefore, after lunch at Červenka’s, I left at 2:30 P.M. to visit her. Upon my arrival, Terezie told me of her undivided love and sent me to her father. Discourse on religious matters. Joy of the entire household. Happy moments, Intimate chat with Terezie. Subsequently, I visited Tomášek, Karel Ebert, and Dr. Held.”⁹ The same day Palacký wrote a note in Terezie’s birthday book, as was customary. On November 28, 1826. Palacký brought Terezie Reden an Gebildete aus dem weiblichen Geschlecht, a book written by the preacher of the court in Berlin, Friedrich Ehrenberg. Enclosed was a card which read: “My dear Terezie! Ehrenberg’s work. . . taught me to discern genuine femininity in all its nobility at a time when I could simultaneously test the truth of these deeply and affectionately conceived observations on one of the noblest of feminine souls who ever inhabited this world. My friend, loved above all, I recognized you even before my eyes saw you. This book presents the clearest image of that noble femininity for which which I admire you so dearly.”¹⁰ The words “one of the noblest of feminine souls” undoubtedly referred to Nina Zerdahely. This card is the first of the 525 letters written by Palacký between the years 1826 and 1860 to his fiancée and wife Terezie. All are written in German, and can be found in the Archives of the National Museum in Prague.¹¹ In his letter of March 2, 1827, František Palacký recalled another day, March 2, 1824, when he first noticed Terezie, as “a most beautiful and charming child, possessing all of the appropriate grace, innocence, and naivete, satisfied with herself and with the world that she does not yet fully know, a child without the slightest care for any of her admirers, and certainly none for the one who then had no idea that in three years, he would describe to her this unforgetable scene!” During his visit to Germany, principally Leipzig and Dresden, Palacký wrote to his “dearest friend” or “dearly loved Terezie” very often. The first of these letters was written early in the morning of May 5, 1827, in Leipzig. Even today one can find a small pink flower attached to the sheet of paper. Palacký picked it from the plant decorating the window of his room, hoping that Terezie would understand its meaning.

After his return to Prague, Palacký continued writing to Terezie, who was then undergoing treatment in Karlovy Vary, All of Palacky’s letters attest to his tender feelings. One letter is unusually interesting. Palacký wrote it on June 14, 1827, his birthday. The first part of the letter is a critical recapitulation of his life, and later he expresses his attachment to Terezie: “There exists one and only one thing I cannot lack: I can be strong only through your love. Without love, without a heart which feels linked with mine and to which mine can, in turn, attach itself forever, I could no longer live. This inextinguishable desire, so deeply submerged in my feelings, is divine advice that I should love because I may hope to be loved in return. I know, too, that I am bound to accomplish my task on earth if I devote all of myself to the happiness of the one being whom I love, someone who wishes to share with me, through reciprocal love, my earthly fate. . .”

While Terezie was with her relatives at Otín Castle, preparing for marriage, Palacký moved to a newly-furnished apartment arranged for the newlyweds in Měchura’s house, on what is now Palacký Street in Prague. On September 4, 1827, Palacký wrote to Terezie: “The first thing I shall do here is to write you this letter. My thoughtful Terezie can surely imagine the feelings that pass through my mind better than I can write them.” On September 8, 1827, Palacký wrote to his bride for the last time before leaving for Otín: “How impatiently I await the 13th of September! Can I utter it? No, I cannot. But that day will come and make me the happiest of all people.”

The marriage ceremony was held on September 16, 1827, at Otín. The castle stood at the center of a beautiful park. At one tip of the park adjacent to the castle was a baroque greenhouse, the starting point of the marriage procession to Předslaví. On its way the procession was accompanied by the din of mortars and the joyful shouts of the local citizens. František Palacký and Terezie Měchurová were married in the church of Předslaví, and the banquet following the ceremony was conducted in the greenhouse. The atmosphere surrounding Palacký’s engagement was permeated with gossip, in which even Dobrovský took part. Of course, after the disclosure of Palacký’s marriage, things did not change. Jungmann commented that Palacký had “found his happiness neither as a good Czech nor Slav but as a good German and thereby somewhat insulted the Czechs.”

Palacký’s marriage was a beautiful relationship to the end, until the death of Terezie in 1860. Convincing evidence of this are Palacký’s letters to his wife, starting with the salutations: “My dear, dearly-loved Terezie,” “My dearly-loved Terezie,” “My Terezie, loved above all,” “My dear, good Terezie.” Simultaneously, these letters give us some understanding of the life and work of their writer. Often they contain detailed descriptions of Palacký’s actions during his period of separation from his wife and family. For instance, from one of his trips to the archives at Třeboň and Jindřichův Hradec, Palacký wrote to his wife:

 

July 19, 1828, in Písek at 9 P.M.;
July 22, 1828, in Třeboň at 10 P.M.; continued, July 23, early in the morning;
July 25, 1828, in Třeboň late at night, and continued July 27, in the morning;
July 31, 1828, in Třeboň; August 3, 1828, in Třeboň at 8 A.M. in “the greatest hurry”;
August 3, 1828, in Jindřichův Hradec;
August 7, 1828, in Jindřichův Hradec at 10 P.M., after return from Dačice, and continued August 8, at 2 P.M.

 

Palacký sent similarly detailed letters from many of his other trips and from Prague, too, when his wife was undergoing treatment or spending the summer in the country. Some of Palacký’s letters reveal his political views and actions, eg., during 1848, when his wife was living in Nice, where she often spent the winter because of her frail health. The following one further illustrates the tender relationship between Palacký and his wife. Anna Lauermannová-Mikschová, a close friend of Palacky’s granddaughter, Marie Červinková-Riegrová, noted in her memoirs: “Some time ago, Márinka lent me a large old collection of Tschokky’s novels. The books revealed to me how gentle a husband Palacký must have been. Affixed to the pages were blank pieces of paper to which, in turn, were attached dried flowers from Nice. On each slip of paper a word was written describing some aspect of the close relationship between the married couple.”¹²

Jan Měchura died in 1852. His son Leopold inherited the estate of Otín and Terezie the estate of Lobkovice, In Prague, Terezie became the principal and later possibly the sole owner of the palace. František Palacký held the position of Bohemian Historiographer, receiving 1000 florins a year from the Estates for his own use. In one of his letters to his brother Ondřej, Palacký admitted that he never owned any considerable wealth. However, the results of his great diligence would undoubtedly have been different, had it not been for the financial security provided by Terezie.

Terezie Palacká was, in her husband’s words, “a German-speaking Bohemian patriot” (“vlastenčila po německu”). Although she had some spoken proficiency in Czech, she could not write it. In discussing serious matters it was therefore easier for her to use German, or even French. Among those closest to Palacký, only his daughter Marie later manifested any sympathy for Czech national problems. In 1853, she became the wife of František Ladislav Rieger.

Palacký loved his daughter as dearly as his wife. As time progressed, their relationship became even closer. In a letter to Terezie of July 26, 1852, he worte: “I embrace you and your second nature—Marinka.” A letter of November 1 and 2, 1852, defines Palacky’s feelings toward his daughter: “My dearest Márinka: You complain that I have not yet written to you in Nice, but I write to you and your mother every week. Although I address the letters to your mother, it is impossible for me to separate one of you from the other. Recently your mother conveyed to me that, for a long time, the two of you have been one in spirit as well as thought. I suspect you and your mother will finally evolve into one identity, in which case I will be able to gain access only to the both of you. This would please me, because you are both very important to me. Neither one of you can be missing, if I am to be content. I know that you read everything I write to your mother, and I have become used to thinking of you both, even if I address only one of you. There is one great difference: with you I cannot speak or even think in any language other than Czech. It seems to me that the use of a foreign language would bring something alien between us; we could no longer belong completely to each other. Though I sincerely cherish your mother in accordance with her own custom, yet it pleases me very much when she also inclines to mine. Thanks to you this is now beginning to happen more often. On one hand, I cannot deny that sometimes I turn specifically to you. On the other hand, it is not true that I do not think of you when writing to your mother.” The letter concludes: “A number of people have asked me to send their regards, and I do, but mainly my own, kissing you both.”¹³ Palacky wrote in this fashion after twenty-five years of marriage.

Palacký’s son Jan was not a concerned participant in the Czech national movement. Apparently, even in other ways, he did not fulfill the expectations of his father. Palacký was, however, satisfied with his son’s successful studies, which resulted in doctorates in law and philosophy. Jan Palacký became the first Czech university professor of geography in Prague.

The ailing Terezie lived to be fifty-three years old. As usual, she spent the winter of 1859–60 with her husband in Nice. Early in the new year, her condition became critical, making their return journey difficult.¹⁴ In April, 1860, Palacký transferred her to Marseille, in June to Geneva, and later to Basel and Heidelberg. In Heidelberg, she underwent complicated surgery. It was a journey of suffering for both Terezie as well as Palacký. During this time he committed himself completely to the care of Terezie, and his letters to his closest relatives (his daughter Marie was expecting a child) are indicative of his uncommon character. Terezie managed to reach Bohemia but not her home. She died on August 18, 1860, in a hotel in Podmokly, today a section of Děčín. She was interred at Lobkovice.

After the death of his wife, František Palacký lived with the family of his daughter, Marie Riegrová. All of those near Palacký at that time who left memoirs tell of numerous instances illustrating his touching remembrances of his wife.¹⁵ On the anniversary of Terezie’s death, Palacký visited her tomb in Lobkovice. When this was not possible, he attended a requiem mass in Maleč, where he frequently spent summers at Rieger’s castle. When he died, on May 26, 1876, his body was placed in the tomb of his wife, in accordance with his wishes before death.

In addition to Palacký’s work, whether historical, poetic, or philosophical, we should remind ourselves of his personal life. His written historical works, which originated more than a century ago, have been in many ways surpassed by modern research. Not all of his other achievements are still alive, and some of our contemporary views are quite distant from those of Palacký. It cannot be doubted, however, that Palacký was an honest scholar working solely for the benefit of Czech society. His crystal character would not concede any but the most immaculate intentions. Palacký’s History strengthened our nation even in difficult periods of the recent past. If we respect the work of František Palacký, we may similarly revere his beautiful human personality.

NOTES

01. K. Svoboda, “Palackého láska k hudbě,” Národní politika, May 9, 1926.

02. V.J. Nováček, ed., Františka Palackého korrespondence a zápisky, 1 (Prague, 1898), p. 47.

03. M. Červinková-Riegrová, “Karel Egon Ebert o. Fr. Palackém,” in Památník na oslavu stých narozenin Františka Palackého (Prague, 1898), pp. 39–40. Cited here from the manuscript deposited in the personal archives of M. Červinková-Riegrová, in the Archive of the National Museum, Prague, 11/7.

04. M. Červinková-Riegrová, Marie Riegrová rodem Palacká. Její život a skutky (Prague, 1892 [?]), p. 7.

05. M. Červinková-Riegrová, “Před sňatkem Palackého,” Světozor (1886), No. 1.

06. V.J. Nováček, ed., Františka Palackého korrespondence a zápisky, 1, p. 107.

07. Ibid., pp. 118–19.

08. Ibid., p. 170.

09. Ibid., p. 171.

10. V.J. Nováček, ed., Františka Palackého korrespondence a zápisky, III (Prague, 1911), p. 121.

11. J. Hoffmannová, ed., Písemná pozůstalost Františka Palackého a jeho blízkých, 1772–1968. Inventář fondu (Prague, the Archive of the National Museum Press, 1976). Henceforth, all quotations from Palacký’s letters to his wife are from the original documents arranged now in chronological order in the Archive of the National Museum in Prague (henceforth A.N.M.), No. 826. See also K. Kálal, Palackého mladá léta, 1798–1827 (Prague, 1925), pp. 302, 307–308;

12. A. Lauermannová-Mikschová [Félix Téver], Lidé minulých dob (Prague, 1941), p. 59.

13. K. Stloukal, ed., Rodinné listy Františka Palackého dcěri Marii a zeti F.L. Riegrovi (Prague, 1930), pp. 67–72.

14. The bill as well as the design for a special sofa for the ailing Terezie which would accomodate her during her travels can be found under No. 504 in the personal archive of František Palacký at the A.N.M.

15. B. Hančova, “Palacký v domácnosti,” in Památník na oslavu stých narozenin Františka Palackého (Prague, 1898), pp. 130–36. (and other articles in this book); also M. Červinková-Riegrová, “Před sňatkem Palackého”; A. Lauermannová-Mikschová [Félix Téver], Lidé minulých dob; etc.