13 
RAMBLES IN HUNGARY. 
(Illustrated by the Lantern). 
By W. H. SHRUBSOLE, F.G.S. 
January 12th, 1909. 
Very little is known of Hungary by the people of the British 
Isles, and not merely is there negation of knowledge with 
respect to the country, but there is also very much positive 
error. As far as the Lecturer could gather during his travels 
at home, it seemed to him to be the general belief of the 
majority of the English people that Hungary was a part of 
Austria, and that the Hungarians were subordinate to the 
Austrians. The actual fact was that Hungary and Austria 
were two independent states who had agreed to perform 
certain details of the national business in common, but in 
so doing neither of them had surrendered one jot or tittle 
of its national individuality or independence, and in the 
arrangements between the two nations it has always been 
most expressly stipulated that in making these arrangements, 
the Hungarians still maintained the independence for which 
their forefathers had fought and bled and died for a thousand 
years. 
The errors which prevail in the British press at the present 
time with regard to Hungary 7are veryjstaggering and very 
numerous. We read in almost every paper we take up that 
“ Austria ” is doing this and “ Austria ” is doing that when 
the fact is that it is Austria and Hungary, for while the present 
agreement continues in force neither country can move a 
step in foreign affairs without the consent of the other. It is 
of course true that Emperor Francis Joseph rules over both 
countries ; he is Emperor of Austria and he is King of Hungary 
but as Emperor of Austria he has no power or authority in 
Hungary. He has two distinct characters to fulfil, just as 
the same gentleman may preside as managing director over 
two banks or insurance companies, and yet no one would 
make the mistake of believing that the two companies, having 
the same managing director, necessarily become one company. 
