Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 12.djvu/393

379 LITERATURE.] HUNGARY 379 found a representative in Francis Verseghy at the beginning of the 19th century, was afterwards revived by Fay in his Beltcky hdz (1832), and by the contributors to certain literary magazines, espe cially the Aurora, an almanack conducted by Charles Kisfaludy, 1821-30, and continued by Joseph Bajza to 1837. Almost simul taneously with the rise of the Kisfaludy society, works of fiction assumed a more vigorous tone, and began to present just claims for literary recognition. Far from adopting the levity of style too often observable in French romances, the Magyar novels, although en livened by touches of humour, have generally rather a serious his torical or political bearing. Especially is this the ca.se with Nicholas Josika s Abaft (1836), A whole Magyarorszdgon (The Bohemians in Hungary), and Az utolso Bdiori (The Last of the Bathoris), published in 1847. In these, as in many other of the romances of Josika, a high moral standard is aimed at. The same may be said of Baron Joseph Eutvb s s Karth iusi (1839), and Falu JcgyziJjc (Village Notary), published in 1845, and translated into English (1850) by 0. Wenckstern (see EOTVOS, vol. viii. p. 455). The ArvtekSnyv or &quot; Inundation Book,&quot; edited by Eotvb s, 1839-41, is a collection of narratives and poems by the most celebrated authors of the time. Of the novels produced by Baron Sigismond Kemeny the Gyulai Ptil (1847), in 5 vols., is, from its historical character, the most im portant. His Ferj is no (Husband and AVife) appeared in 1853 (latest ed., 1878), the Rajon(j6k (Fanatics), in 4 vols., in 1858-59. The graphic descriptions of Hungarian life in the middle and lower classes by Lewis Kuthy won for him temporary renown ; but his style, though flowery, is careless. Another popular writer of great originality was Joseph Radakovics alias Vas-Gereben. The romances of Baron Frederick Podinaniczky are simpler, and rather of a narrative than colloquial character. The fertile writer Paul Kovaes excels more particularly in humorous narration. Fay s singular powers in this direction were well shown by his Jdvor orvos Is Bakator Ambrus szolgdja (Doctor Javor and his servant Ambrose Bakator), brought out at Pest in 1855. The Bcszelyck (Tales) of Ladislaus Bebthy were produced in the same year, his Pusztdk fia (Son of the Pusztas) in 1857. Pleasing humorous sketches are con tained also in Ignatius Nagy s Bcsz ilynk (1843) and &quot;Caricatures&quot; or Torzki pek (1844) ; in Caspar B jrnat s Fresko kepck (1847-50) ; in Gustavus Lanka s Videk, and his Aj6 regi vildg (The Good Old World), published respectively in 1857 and 1863 ; and in Alexander Balazs s Beszelyei ^855) and Tiikordarabok (1865). Among authors of other historical or humorous romances and tales which have appeared from time to time arc Francis Marton alias Lewis Abonyi, Joseph Gaal, Paul Gyulai, William Gyori, Lazarus Horvath, the short-lived Joseph Irinyi, translator of &quot; Uncle Tom s Cabin,&quot; Francis Ney, Albert Palffy, Alexander Vachott and his brother Emeric (Vahot), Charles Szathmary, Desider Margittay, Victor Vajdi, Joseph Bodon, Atala Kisfaludy, John Kratky, and the several writers whose names and latest works are noticed at the end of this paragraph. But by far the most prolific and talented novelist that Hungary can boast of is Maurice Jokai, whose power of imagination and brilliancy of style, no less than his true representa tions of Hungarian life and character, have earned for him a Euro pean reputation. His earlier romances, published before the revolu tion of 1848, are chiefly of a social or political tendency. Of his more recent productions the best known are Egy magyar nabob (A Magyar Nabob), with its continuation Kdrpdthy Zoltan, published in 1853 and 1854 respectively ; Szerelem bolondjai (The Fools of Love, 1867) ; Az uj foldesur (The New Landlord), translated into English by A. J. Patterson (1868) ; Fckete gyemdntok (Black Diamonds, 1870) ; A jiJvd sziizad reginye (The Romance of the Coining Century, 1873) ; Az elet kome didsai (The Comedians of Life, 1876) ; the historical romance Szep Mikhdl (1876) already referred to; and his justly admired and vividly interesting work EIJIJ az isten (God is One. 1877). The events of the last-mentioned novel, in which the Unitarians play an important part, are sup posed to take place between the years 1848 ami 1859, and the scenes are laid partly in Transylvania, partly in Italy. In his A rAvtclcn vdr (Nameless Castle, 1878), the author connects an epo ih of French history with Hungarian, and gives an account of the Hungarian army employed so unsuccessfully against Napoleon in 1809. Rab Ri ibij (Captive Raby), produced in 1879, is a tale of the times of Joseph II. Defects occasionally observable in Jokai s works are want of unity, consistency, and probability. Of the novels pro duced by other authors since 1870, we may mention A hoi az ember kezdodik (Where the Man Begins), by Edward Kavassy (1871), in which lie severely lashes the idling Magyar nobility ; Az en ismcr- 6scii(My Acquaintances), by Lewis Tolnni (1871) ; and Anatol, by Stephen Toldy (1872) ; the versified romances Deli bdbok hose (Hero of the Fata Morgana), generally ascribed to Ladislaus Arany, but anonymously published, A szcreJcm hose (Hero of Love), by John Vajda (1873), and Taldlkozdsok (Rencounters) by the same (1877), and A Tilnderiiv (The Fairy Zone), by John Bulla (1876), all four interesting as specimens of narrative poetry; Kdlozdy Bela (1875), a tale of Hungarian provincial life, by Zoltan Beothy, a pleasing writer who possesses a fund of humour, and appears to follow the best English models ; Edith torttnctc (History of Edith) bv Joseph Prem (1876) ; Nyomortisdg iskoldja (School of Misery), by the pro lific author Arnold Vertesi (1878) ; Tilkolt szcrclem (Secret Love), by Cornelius Abranyi (1879), a social-political romance of some merit ; and Uj idok, ai-ult cmbcrck (Modern Times, Men of the Past), by^L. Veka (1879). In the Itthon (At Home), by Alois Degre (1877), the tale is made the medium for a satirical attack upon ^official corruption and Hungarian national vanity ; and in the Almok dlmoduja (Dreamer of Dreams), by John Asboth (1878), other national defects are aimed at. A rosz szomszed (The Bad Neighbour), by Charles Vadnay (1878), is a felicitous representa tion of the power of love. The Az utols6 Bcbck (The Last of the Bebeks), by the late Charles Petery, is a work rich in poetic inven tion, but meagre in historical matter. The reverse is the case with the Lajpspap (Priest Lewis), by Charles Vajkay (1879), the scene of which is placed at Pest, in the beginning of the 14th century. In this romance the interest of the narrative is weakened by a super abundance of historical and archaeological detail. As regards works of a scientific character, the Magyars until recently were confessedly behind hand as compared with many other European nations. Indeed, before the foundation of the Hungarian academy in 1830, but few such works claiming general recognition had been published in the native language. Even in 1847 astro nomy, physics, logic, and other subjects of the kind had to be taught in several of the lyceums through the medium of Latin. The violent political commotions of the next few years allowed but little opportunity for the prosecution of serious studies ; the sub sequent quieter state of the country, and gradual re-establishment of the language as a means of education, were, however, more favourable to the development of scientific knowledge. In the department of philosophy, besides several writers of disser tations bearing an imitative, didactic, or polemical character, Hun gary can boast a few authors of independent and original thought. Of these one of the most notable is Cyril Horvath, whose treatises published in the organs of the academy display a rare freedom and comprehensiveness of imagination. John Hetenyi and Gustavus Szontagh must be rather regarded as adopters and developers of the ethical teaching of Samuel Kbteles in the previous period. Hyacinth Ronay in his Mutatvdny (Representation) and JeUcmismc (Characteristics) endeavoured to popularize psychological studies. The philosophical labours of the already mentioned John Erdelyi and of Augustus Greguss won for them well-deserved recognition, the latter especially being famous for his sesthetieal productions, in which he appears to follow out the principles of Vischer. The Tanulmdnyok (Studies) of Greguss were brought out at Pest in 1872. The reputation of John Szilasy, John Varga, Fidelius Beely, and Francis Ney arose rather from their works bearing on the subject of education than from their contributions to philosophy. The labours of Stephen Horvath in the preceding period had pre pared the way for future workers in the field of historical literature. Specially meritorious among these are Michael Horvath, Ladislaus Szalay, Paul Jaszay, and Count Joseph Teleki. The Magyarok tortenctc (History of the Magyars), in 4 vols., first published at Papa (1842-46), and afterwards in 6 vols. at Pest (1860-63), and in 8 vols. (1871-73), is the most famous of Michael Horvath s numerous his torical productions. Ladislaus Szalay s Magyarorszdy tortencte (History of Hungary), vols. i.-iv. (Leipsic, 1852-54), vols. v.-vi. (Pest, 1856-61), second edition, i.-v. (1861-66), is a most compre hensive work; showing more particularly the progress of Hungarian legislative development in past times. His style is elevated and concise, but somewhat difficult. Magyar history is indebted to Paul Jaszay for his careful working out of certain special periods, as, for instance, in his A Magyar nemzct napjai a Icgregibb idotol az arany bulldiy (Days of the Hungarian nation from the earliest times to the date of the Golden Bull). Count Joseph Teleki is famed chiefly for his Hunyadiak kora Magyarorszdgon (The Times of the Hunyadys in Hungary), vols. i.-vi. (Pest, 1852-63), x.-xii. (1853- 57), the result of thirty years labour and research. In particular departments of historical literature we find George Bartal, author of Commentariorum. . . libri AT., torn, i.-iii. (Pozsony, 1847), John Czech, Gustavus Wenczel, Frederick IVsty, and Paul Szlemenics, as writers on legal history ; Joseph Bajza, who in 1845 commenced a &quot;History of the World,&quot; Alexander Szilagyi, some of whose works, like those of Ladislaus Kovary, bear on the past of Transylvania, others on the Hungarian revolution of 1848-49 ; Charles Lanyi and John Paucr, authors of treatises on Roman Catholic ecclesi astical history ; John Szombathi, Emeric Revesz, and Balogh, writers on Protestant church history ; William Fraknoi, bio grapher of Cardinal Paznuin, and historian of the Hungarian diets; and Anthony Gevay, Aaron Sziladi, Joseph Podhradczky, Charles Szabo, John Jerney, and Francis Salamon, who have inves tigated and elucidated many speciitl historical subjects. For the mediaeval history of Hungary the Mdtydskori diplomatikai emlikck (Diplomatic Memorials of the Time of Matthias Corvinus), issued by the academy under the joint editorship of Ivan Nagy and Baron Albert Nyary, affords interesting material. As a masterly produc tion based on extensive investigation, we note the Wcssdmyi Fcrcncz. . . osszeeskuvesc (The Secret Plot of Francis AVesselenyi,