The St. Adalbert Association came into being within a process of increasing awareness on the part of Slovaks of their nationhood, and in an endeavour to reinforce spiritual and national renewal, education and enlightenment. Despite the intense efforts of its founder, Dr. Andrej Radlinský, and members of the Association, approval of the society had to wait until 1869. Its statutes were passed at the first general meeting, held in Trnava in September 1870. The aim of the Association was to bring together Slovak Catholics (and - following the closure of Matica Slovenska - Evangelicals) and with their help publish fiction and...