This was the second in the series of six autumn beseda entertainments organized by Josef Barák and held between 23/10/1862 and 27/11/1862. News of their arrangement during the autumn of 1862 was first published by the Czech-language newspaper Národní listy 1/8/1862, which reported that leading Prague musical artists would be participating and that the programmes would include choice dance compositions as well artistic works [i.e. art-music]. This preliminary report indicated that admission would be by invitation only; this was perhaps a contributory reason for what turned out to be initially low attendance numbers. The report related: ‘National entertainments [Národní zábavy]. Next autumn six besedas will be arranged, which besides being furnished with dance compositions will also contain tasteful art [music] as well as many participants whose artistic powers are already proven. Only choice dance compositions will be performed.’ The report then related that these etertainments were being arranged and organized by Jos. Barák, and that the newspaper would publish programmes and the venue nearer to the time they were to take place. Národní listy 22/10/1862 published a notice announcing: ‘National besedas [Národní besedy] 23rd and 30th October, 5th, 12th, 20th and 27th November 1862 all at 7.30. Admission tickets for gentlemen obtained in the national bookshop of Mr Petřík in the New Alley [Nový Alej] nr 117-II. [Signed] Committee.’ On 26/10/1862 the daily news section of the newspaper reported that on 30th October a festival beseda would be celebrated in the Konvikt Hall for the birthday of Karel Havlíček.’ No further details were given by this report. 

According to a report appearing in Národní listy 30/10/1862, Josef Řebíček, the court violinist of the Count of Weimar, was to have participated in this event. The source reported ‘Festival beseda. In the Konvikt Hall takes place today the festival beseda on the eve of the birthday of Karel Havlíček. Participating will be Miss Macháčková, member of the Czech opera Mr Lukes, and the court musician of the Duke of Weimar Mr Řebíček. Mr Jos. Barák will perform a speech written written for today’s beseda by Mr V. Crha. Opening the beseda will be Pivoda’s chorus „Vlast má ve světě jediná“, text by Dr Rieger. After the concert part is a dance entertainment. Admission tickets for gentlemen are possible to obtain in the national bookshop [národní kníhkupectví of Mr Petřík in the New Alley nr 117-2. Beginning at 8pm.’

An unsigned Dalibor 1/11/1862 review of the first two productions in this beseda series reported that the two events ‘gained favourable success’ and that the ‘attendance was especially numerous at the second beseda.’ The source provided an outline of the programme to this second beseda, noting: ‘In the second beseda there was performed a chorus by Pivoda and „Kovářská“. Miss Macháčková gave Nápravník’s song „I šepce kvítí“ and one by Heřm. Skřívan (from Věnec). The arranger [of the beseda, Mr Barák] performed a spirited declamation, which obtained great applause. Following the musical and declamatory part came a dance. The entertainment was lively and easy [light-hearted]. The attendance was especially numerous at the second beseda [as opposed to the first on 23/10/1862].’

Lumír 30/10/1862 reported, almost identically with the Národní listy report of 30/11/1862, that ‘Today, on the eve of the birthday of Karel Havlíček, takes place in the Konvikt Hall a festival beseda, in which will participate Miss M. Macháčková, member of the Czech opera, then Mr J. Lukes and Mr Řebíček, court musician to the court of Výmar [Weimar]. J. Barál will perform a declamation. The beseda will begin with the chorus: Vlast má ve světě jediná [actually Naše vlast ve světě jediná - Our country unique in the world] by Fr. Pivoda, words by Dr F.L. Rieger. After the concert will be a dance entertainment. Admission tickets for gentlemen are possible to obtain in the national bookshop of Mr Em. Petřík in the New Alley nr 117-II. Commencng 7.30pm.’ A review, signed ‘F.K.’, was published by the following issue of Lumír on 6/11/1862. The correspondent reported that the: ‘Second Beseda on 30 October in the Konvikt Hall was very numerously attended and although there came to pass the unexpected encumberance that changes had to be made to the programme, the singing part [of the occasion] met with excellent success. The chorus was given „Vlast má ve světě jediná“ [Naše vlast ve světě jedina] by Rieger, then Mr Barák spiritedly and touchingly read a declamation written by Mr Crha. This declamation, concerning the life and work of the immortal Havlíček, whose birthday is celebrated today, received unceasing applause and the writer was curtain-called. After that Miss Macháčková very prettily sang some songs and then Mr Schwarz, together with the chorus, earnestly performed our Kovářská [Blacksmith’s Song]. The beseda then again concluded with dancing.’

This event was not reported upon or reviewed by the German-language newspapers Bohemia, Prager Morgenpost and Prager Zeitung. The unattributed chorus Kovářská [Blacksmith’ Song] may have been the then popular work by this title by J.L. Procházka.