Czech Nature Through Czech Eyes at the Turn of the Century

The following is a translation from a short leaflet on Czechs called 'Bodily Characteristics of the Czech People' by prof. Dr. J. Matiegka published around 1918 - original available on http://www.lf1.cuni.cz/~dcasl/Matiegka.html.

It was also published in English as part of the Smithonian Report in 1922 as well as his The Origins and Beginnings of the Czechoslovak People an excerpt from which is also included here.

Roku 1794 vylíčil prof. Jos. Ant. ryt. RIEGGER, rodem Němec ale jinak dobrý znalec poměrů českých, ve svém náčrtku "statistického zeměpisu Čech" povahu českého lidu takto: "Po stránce tělesné jsou Čechové střední výšky, nikoliv tlustí, ale svalnatí, houževnatí, pevní a silní. Jich ústrojnost jest výtečná, též mají mnoho smyslové bystrosti. Duševní povaha Čechů jest povšechně dobrá. Jich srdce jest jemnocitné a dobrotivé. Nějaké je ovládající vášně povšechně u nich není. Jejich duševní dary jsou zajisté výborné. Jich nadání k nejrozmanitějším vědám a umění jest výtečné. Přirozený vtip mají v značné míře. Takřka vrozená náklonnost k hudbě jest jim se všemi ostatními slovanskými národy společná. Po stránce mravní jsou Češi povšechně nábožní, často až pověreční, jsou oddáni náboženství svých otců, staré monarchistické vládní soustavě a svým starým mravům a zvykům; jsou pracovití, vytrvalí, vzdorující všem obtížím, i válečným, ale přece mírumilovní, vždy veselé mysli, shovívaví, dobročinní, poctiví a věrní; v zevním chování jsou přímí, suší a ukazují obyčejně též menší uhlazenost. Taká jest základní povaha Čechů, kde zůstala čista a nedotčena..."

 

In the year 1794, Jos. Ant. RIEGGER, knight, German by birth but otherwise an authority on things Czech, described, in his outline of the ‘statistical geography of Czech lands' the nature of the Czech people as follows: "As regards their physiological features, the Czechs are of middle height, not fat but muscular, resilient, firm and strong. Their build is excellent, and they are possessed of much sensual agility. The Czechs' spiritual nature is generally good. Their heart is tender and gentle. A generally prevailing passion which might have Czechs in its grip is not in evidence. Their mental gifts are certainly excellent. Their aptitude for various sciences and art is tremendous. They are well-endowed with natural intelligence. They share their, practically innate, predisposition for music with other Slav nations. As regards their morals, the Czechs are generally religious, often even superstitious, they are devoted to the religion of their fathers, the old monarchy-based system of government, and their old customs and habits; they are industrious and perseverant, they face courageously all adversity, even war, but remain peace-loving, always in good spirits, understanding, charitable, honest, and faithful; in their outward behaviour they are direct, dry, and typically display less refinement. That is the basic nature of Czechs, where it remained pure and untouched..."

 

Other features of Czech nature and anatomy mentioned by Matiegka include:

• Czechs have uncommonly thick skulls (statement supported by measurements) - this anatomical feature is reflected in popular sayings about Czech pigheadedness (not related to lack of intelligence)
• The average weight of the Czech brain is the highest of all nations in the region (Romanians, Hungarians, Ruthinians, Poles, Germans and Italians) and remains so even when combined with that of Slovaks (which is lower) - the author goes on to state that there is no known link between intelligence and the weight of the brain, but given that it is the prime instrument of thought, the fact that Czechs' brains weigh more, is in accord with the fact that they are thought to be intelligent
• Czech strong built and intelligence contribute to high military prowess: according to statistics, Czech soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian military forces were hospitalized less often than the overall average and displayed greater bravery in combat, as exemplified by greater-than-average loss of life among Czech troops. [The author obviously did not have the benefit of reading the Good Soldier Švejk.]
• Czechs are more beautiful than average. As attested to by foreigners visiting the Czech lands. Examples from 16^th and 19^th centuries are given.
• The ‘regenerative force' (i.e. birth rate as opposed to death rate) of the Czech nation is greater than that of the German population living in the Czech lands. This is cited as a snub to those Germans who not long ago forecast the waning of the Czech nation [almost a full century later, the birth rate has been declining for almost a decade - in accordance with Europe-wide trends].

This short work is a beautiful example of how science is closely linked with the program of national self-determination. The publication of this pamphlet probably closely coincided with the founding of independent Czechoslovakia (in September 1918) which brought a new independence to Czechs and Slovaks after almost three hundred years of being governed by Austrian monarchs.

Prof. Matiegka is basically giving a pep-talk to his less-educated compatriots, giving a scientific justification for the independence of the Czech nation and its place in the ‘family of nations'. He also urges the nation to take good care of itself, to preserve its strength for ever.

Buďme si proto vědomi své síly, važme si svých tělesných předností, chraňme svého zdraví a zdokonalujme svou přirozenou zdatnost - a český národ bude pro veškerou budoucnost nejlépe opatřen! Let us then be aware of our strength, let us value our physiological advantages, let us protect our innate ability - and the Czech nation will be safe for ever more!

From The Origins and Beginnings of the Czechoslovak People

The general average stature of the adult males is 169 centimeters, of adult females 157 centimeters. The head is of good size and generally brachycephallic ... The brains even in proportion to stature, show very favorable proportions. In pigmentation (color of eyes and hair) the people range from blonds to brunettes with preponderance of the latter. On the whole, physically as well as mentally, they represent a sound stock and one of favorable appearance. (p. 486) from The Origins and Beginnings of the Czechoslovak People by Jindřich Matiegka, from The Smithonian Report for 1919, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1921.