HUNGAEY. 101 



It is to his musical talents that the gipsy is principally indebted for the tolera- 

 tion granted to him by the Magyar, for no fête can take place in Hungary without 

 gipsy musicians. The gipsies are undoubtedly a mixed race, for some amongst 

 them are nearly black, whilst others are fair-complexioned. The majority of them 

 can, however, be recognised by the expression of their features and the glow of 

 their eyes. 



In addition to the nations mentioned above we meet in Hungary with French, 

 Italian, and Spanish colonists. It is quite impossible to state the number 

 belonging to each race. Language alone can be our guide, but the numbers 

 given by different authors vary exceedingly, according to their national pre- 

 judices. Many claim to be Magyars who in reality are of different race. If the 

 number of schools could be accepted as a test, the Magyars would actually appear 

 to form an absolute majority of the population.* 



Agriculture, Mining, and Commerce. 



Hungary is almost exclusively dependent for its wealth on the abundance and 

 excellence of its agricultural products. There are sterile tracts, no doubt, but the 

 extent of rich black soil is very considerable, and 92 per cent, of the entire area 

 is capable of cultivation. The wheat grown in the Alfold and the Banat is highly 

 appreciated by the merchants of Western Europe. To an agriculturist there is 

 no finer sight than the wide plain of Hungary with its waving corn-fields. Hemp 

 and flax are cultivated with success, and Hungarian tobacco, in spite of vexatious 

 fiscal regulations, is exported into all the countries of Europe.f 



Hungary is one of the most productive European wine countries, and some 

 of its growths are amongst the most esteemed in the world. The wine of Tokaj, 

 which is grown on the volcanic rocks of the Kopasteto, its cultivation having 

 been introduced by Italians in the thirteenth century, has not its equal in any 

 other part of Europe. Ex.cellent wines are also grown on the southern slopes 

 of the Matra ; on the hills bordering upon the Maros, in Transj Ivania ; around 

 Arad ; and in the vicinity of Yeszprem, Oedenburg, Pressburg, and Buda. Even 

 the plains are being invaded by vineyards, and grapes are exported as far as 



* Nationalities and religions of Hungary and Tiansjlvania in 1877 : — 



Srhools, 15,445; viz. 8,404 Magyar, 2,184 German, 2,130 Paimanian, 2,057 Slovak, 520 Euthenian, 

 350 Servian, 71 Croat, 2 864 mixed. 



t Arable land, 31,145,000 acres; vineyards, 787,500 acres; meadows and gardens, 8,445,000 acres. 



