su 



Report on the Agriculture of 



culty in the way of settlers. German was in constant requisi- 

 tion wherever I journeyed, and all the agents correspond and 

 converse in that language. The Magyar is, however, no true 

 lover of the rough German speech ; nobles, stewards, and 

 peasants, all prefer their own native tongue. Latin is still 

 used as a medium of communication among educated men, and 

 I was informed that a generation ago it was very general indeed 

 to hear Latin spoken. English is a great favourite among 

 the upper classes, all the nobility speaking it very fluently. 

 English sports, English literature, and English ideas, are all 

 vei-y popular ; much more so, indeed, than French ideas. The 

 traveller may find himself in positions in which he requires a 

 knowledge of Slavonian, and occasionally of Polish and Croa- 

 tian. The Hungarian is naturally a linguist, and this aptitude 

 is most probably produced by the circumstances by which he is 

 surrounded. A Hungarian count is usually able to converse 

 in French, German, and English ; he has, besides, Hungarian 

 as his mother-tongue, and, in order to act as a master or magis- 

 trate, he must know Slavonian. If he, further, has acquired 

 Latin — which is by no means an uncommon accomplishment 

 even now — he is able to express himself in six languages. I 

 met a steward who told me he was oblisred to give his orders to 

 his work-people in five different languages. The following 

 table shows the varied character of the population, as well as its 

 number : — 



When I was advised to procure the heaviest greatcoat I could 

 purchase in preparation for a trip through Hungary during the 

 months of June and July, I was a little surprised. The wisdom 

 of the suggestion was justified by the comfort that this article of 

 clothing proved to be on many occasions. 



The climate of Hungary is proverbially uncertain and extreme. 

 Hence I understand that a wise Hungarian never leaves his furs 

 behind him when he is journeying through his own beloved land. 



