The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-23 00:00:00

31. FRANCOIS DEAR.

A letter from Presburg in the Presse gives the
following sketch of M. Desk :
"Francois Deak, who was born in 1805, is the son of a
country gentleman; his mother died in childbed, and his
father very shortly after. It was his brother Antoine,
his senior by 20 years, who brought him up. He displayed
in early youth considerable natural talent. His conversa-
tion was animated ; of a rare purity of manners, he ob-
served the most delicate reserve when in the presence of
ladies, without, however, carrying it to the extent of pm-
dell- His corpulency, which makes him appear shorter
than he really is, his rough hair, his low but ample brow, a
short straight pointed nose, a long chin, a thick moustache
almost wholly covering the lip, and large ruddy cheeks,
altogether give him a vulgar appearance. But when he
speaks and is animated, his countenance becomes lighted up
with the spark of intelligence; his eyes are bright, and his
smile is ironical but not bitter. At five o'clock in the
morning M. Deak is sure to be seen commencing his long
walk dressed with scrupulous neatness, with a black coat
and white waistcoat, and carrying a large cane. He is a
declared enemy to all unnecessary labour—a letter from
him is as rare as it is precious. But it is only at
intervals that he indulges in this love of repose.
In 1841 and 1843 we have seen him at work lying
on his back, for 10 hours out of the 24, drawing up the cri •
minal code, and that going on without rot Arunt ciaT so day.
His evenings are passed at the Cos cle, smoking and de-
lighting his friends by his brilliant and animated conversa-
tion. In the Chamber, where he keeps himself aloof from
party intrigues, he speaks little, but never without produc-
ing a great sensation. If attacked, he replies with bitter-
ness and violence. His arguments are overpowering; he
does not amuse himself with flowers of rhetoric, and never
quits the field until he has overthrown his enemy. His
voice is not pleasing, being harsh and husky. He is
cruelly positive and irresistible. He is, however, afflicted
with a real infirmity ; to listen to platitudes even for a very
short time' gives him a frightful headache. One of the
most noble traits in his character is his straightforwardness.
Thus the people call him " the just one"—neither more nor
less than Aristides. In 1843 the Government determined
to defeat his election at any price ; his friends thought it
right to use the same weapons, and a combat unequalled in
Parliamentary annals followed. He came off with the
honours of war, but soon afterwards resigned, as he would
not sanction any corruption by his example. In 1848 he
formed part of the Ministry of Count Batthyani for the de-
partment of Jutice, and the Diet deputed him, in company
with the count and the Bishop Souvasis, to go to the camp
of Marshal Windischgraetz to attempt a last arrangement
with Austria. The prince did not receive them, as he would
not treat with rebels. Count Batthyani was put under
arrest, and the two other deputies of the Diet trades the sur-
veillance of the police. Deak could not, therefore, follow
the Hungarian Government to Debreczin, and he remained
at Pesth during the War of Independenhe. At the time of
the Bach Ministry full powers were offered to him for
the organisation of justice. Great embarrassment
existed between the abolished Hungarian laws
and the unpopular Austrian code. Deak frankly refused to
assist the foreign Administration, and continued to lead a
solitary and retired life at Pesth on an annuity which he
received from the Szechenyi family, in payment for estates
which he had sold them. At the present Diet, some agents
of the revolutiOnary party, being jealous of an eloquence
capable of eclipsing even that of Kossuth, endeavoured to
raise a suspicion of his wish for a reconciliation with Aus-
tria at any price. The majority remained firm for a moment,
but his first address, disfigured by the Vivady amendment,
was unanimously re-established, and the second enthusias •
tically accepted, as )ou are aware."