122 M. BeudanCK Travels in Hungary. 



shoulders. The former is then tucked up and thrown behind, or 

 otherwise wrapped about the head, as we wrap a napkin about 

 eggs. The men have mostly round hats, or else, feltcoifs or 

 caps ; many had ill-looking hoods of coarse white cloth, and large 

 linen pantaloons ; some, rather more elegant, had a culotte of 

 strong blue cloth, over which the shirt hung down, with a cloth 

 waistcoat of a bluish grey colour. All these accoutrements met 

 me in every direction, and my promenade was frequently winding 

 into new paths, to enjoy the variegated prospects before me the 

 whole, however, accompanied with horrible tintamarre. 



I arrived at Keszthely, at night-fall, and repairing immedi- 

 ately to the chateau of Count Festctits, was received with all that 

 benevolent philanthropy and tender respect, which form admirable 

 traits in the character of an Hungarian gentleman. The count 

 sent for the whole of my baggage, which he would not suffer to 

 remain at the inn. 



In lieu of making mineralogical excursions about Keszthely, 

 I intended visiting the different establishments of rural economy 

 which count Festctits had created on his estate. These required 

 a particular attention both from the manner in which they are 

 conducted, and from their being an inlet for the introduction of 

 agriculture into Hungary. This was the first object I was eager 

 to explore next morning, and the count and his son accompanied 

 me, to detail the particulars. Among these, I was most struck 

 with the Georgicon, or school of agriculture, designed to qualify 

 young persons for the superintendance and management of estates. 

 In Hungary such are called officers of economy. It is intended, 

 also, to provide the peasants with such instruction as may make 

 them expert in gardening and farming. This establishment is 

 maintained entirely by the count, who has endowed it, for the 

 purpose, with a considerable farm ; there being different profes- 

 sors for different courses of study. These, for such as are to be- 

 come officers of economy, include what is necessary in geometry, 

 mechanics, the art of drawing, and, more especially, architecture, 

 with the designing and construction of plans, &c. In the latter 

 part of their time the pupils are practically employed in various 

 concerns about the establishment, as keeping accounts, and, alter- 

 nately, through a round of other duties. Some part of their 

 time is devoted to botany, and to the acquiring of some know- 

 ledge in physics and chemistry. On finishing their studies, the 

 young persons either return home with certificates of their profi- 

 ciency, good behaviour, &c. or are disposed of by the count, on 

 his own domains, or transferred to other lords that may stand in 

 need of their services. 



The young peasants intended for gardening and farming, are 

 taught reading, writing, and accounts ; nor is instruction in reli- 



