Explore "Where is Bohemia?" by Gelett Burgess on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The name "Bohemian" was first used to describe the gypsies of that nationality who appeared in France in the thirteenth century, but to us the term has come to carry with it a wider significance than any dependent upon that little kingdom in the north of Austria, and only a few characteristic traits of those wandering vagabonds survive in those who bear, whether in reproach or praise, the appellation "Bohemian."
To take the world as one finds it, the bad with the good, making the best of the present moment -- to laugh at Fortune alike whether she be generous or unkind -- to spend freely when one has money, and to hope gaily when one has none -- to fleet the time carelessly, living for love and art -- this is the temper and spirit of the modern Bohemian in his outward and visible aspect. It is a light and graceful philosophy, but it is the Gospel of the Moment, this exoteric phase of the Bohemian religion; and if, in some noble natures, it rises to a bold simplicity and naturalness, it may also lend its butterfly precepts to some very pretty vices and lovable faults, for in Bohemia one may find almost every sin save that of Hypocrisy.