BOHEMIA.
COSTUMES OF THE BOHEMIANS.
The name of Bohemia is derived from that of the Boji, a Celtic nation
which inhabited this country at the period to which the earliest
historical records of it relate. Notwithstanding the numerous
resources possessed by the inhabitants in the fertility of the soil,
in the mines, the forests and the different manufactures established
in the course of the last century, the country is not very
flourishing. The peasantry being reduced to the state of serfs, the
apathy and indolence consequent on servitude, cause Bohemia to swarm
with mendicants and vagabonds.
Among these are a great number of gipsies, who in some parts of Europe
are erroneously denominated Bohemians.
The costumes of Bohemia differ considerably from those of Austria,
properly so called. The annexed engraving represents a young peasant
of the environs of Egra. These are a handsome race of men, with fine
open countenances.
Their dress combines simplicity and elegance. Wide trowsers in the
Turkish fashion, reaching to the middle of the leg, contrast by their
dark colour as well as by their amplitude, with the short, tight
waistcoats. The under-waistcoat, or rather a sort of stomacher, which
is left uncovered by the two open upper waistcoats, is the article of
their dress in regard to which they are most particular.
In winter these villagers wear over all a long brown cloth surtout.
The hat has a broad brim and a low crown, round which is tied a
coloured ribbon. From their earliest childhood they are habituated to
smoking, and they are seldom seen without pipes in their mouths,
especially in winter.
[Illustration: PEASANT of EGRA _IN WINTER DRESS._]
The wives and daughters of peasants in general employ dark-coloured
stuffs only for their apparel. In cold weather they wear a cap of fur,
or of woollen, round which a muslin handkerchief is tied behind. Their
stockings are of a dark colour; the shoes are black with red heels:
the quarters are bordered with a piece of the latter colour, which
turns down over the instep.
The principal piece of finery in the dress of these women is the
girdle, in which they are particularly studious of elegance and
richness. It fastens both before and behind, and from the middle hangs
a broad band of the same material and similarly ornamented, which
passes in a semicircle sometimes to the right, at others to the left.
The wedding apparel of the young female peasants of this part of
Bohemia is remarkable. Everywhere else a wedding is an occasion of
rejoicing and gaiety not only to the new-married couple, but also to
such of their relations and friends as are invited. Not so at Egra.
There the bride would be deemed guilty of an act of unpardonable
indecorum, if she were to appear in a white dress, or to give
additional splendour to her apparel by pearls, jewels, or laces.
Marriage, being considered in this country as the most important and
solemn act of life, is celebrated with the utmost gravity. Every
thing, therefore, that bears the resemblance of ostentation is
avoided: the bride is attired in her usual black dress, to which is
added a cloak of the same colour, reaching to the knees and not unlike
that used in the rest of Europe at funerals. She holds in one hand a
rosary, and in the other a veil which is to cover her during the
ceremony; and in the most modest and devout attitude she proceeds to
the church.
In summer the inhabitants of these parts go very lightly clothed. The
men have but one open waistcoat, which leaves the bosom exposed; the
women wear a corset without sleeves, a petticoat, a blue apron and a
handkerchief of the same colour about the neck. The head is covered
with a white handkerchief, which is tied behind.