true and concise terminology which could hardly be found in any other language.
Prague having given the impulse, there were founded in the same year (1862) eight gymnastic societies in Bohemia and Moravia and their number increased every year as the resonance of the awakening national self consciousness and yearning,
Fügner’s ardour for the great mission of the Sokol idea found its highest realisation in the building of a sumptuous abode for the Sokol of Prague, where the society gained a firm ground for its further development—but Fügner’s premature death in 1865 did not grant the author the satisfaction of seeing the success of his work.
When in 1866 war with Prussia broke out, Dr. Tyrš immediately planned a military organisalion, made rules for discipline and drill and began to form a voluntary corps which he offered to the gevernment as a support of home—defence.
This proposition was rejected by the ruling powers, the formation of the corps being forbidden; but the confidence of the people in the Sokols was thus very much confirmed and strengthened. As soon as the war was over the movement hitherto restrained, burst out anew with fresh force; The Sokols gained at this time the highest point of their activity, appearing as the interpreters of the national desires and taking part in the manifestations and demonstrations ot the people in the colossal meetings and camps where the inflamed self-consciousness of the Czech nation burst out and stormed ahead with elementary force.
The number of Sokol societies in Bohemia and Moravia at this time attained almost the figure of 130, and they tried to organise a common union; but the rancour of the government very soon chilled the juvenille enthusiasm by prohibiting the meeting convened for this purpose. This was a consequence of the persecution which was again started by suppressing every revival of the institution and especially every political movement. As a matter of course the Sokols, among whom this movement found a very fertile soil, were the first victims of Beust’s ill-famed system. The Sokol societies were dispersed under flimsy pretexts, their activity restricted, and every attempt to appear in public, processions, excursions or festivities, was frustrated whenever the authorities were asked for their consent; meetings, and even conferences, were prohibited so that the activity of the societies was restrained to the very threshold of the gymnastic hall.
This political oppression was followed by economical ruin and inner fierce controversies among the Czech nation. And the Sokols, as a highly prominent public organisation suffered by this state
