Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
IsOi,lnlnrp Nf W IL.


The first portion Of "kossuih and His
General" s"-now publishing by Phinncy x
Co., Buffalo, is occupied by History OF
Hungary, WI hich is pleasantly in,erspersed
with the romantic and striking incidents Of
chvalrous age From the Siege Of
Murany," in the seventeenth century, we
extracl:l
Murany, one of the most important for
1 tresscs in the possession of the Transy Iva
mans, was lost in manner characteristic
Of the aye Of chivalry. A castle, Of grea,
strength, il the centre Of a country 50 Of
ten the seat of civil war, the name of Mu-
rany frequently occurs IN Hungarian HIS
tory. AT one time the Diet complaas OF
il as harbor for traitors and robbers; al
another. a solemn decrecc Of The nation
indicates il as the safe guard Of the king
dom, and appoints it as the place where
the sacred crown ofSt. Stephen should be
deposited. At this period ii was in the
hands Of woman. Maria, the lady Of
Murauy. Young and beautiful widow,
educated protestant had little difficulty
in choosing the party she should adopt;
/
Transylsaniu troops to strengthen rhe gar
rison Of her castle, but only on condition
that she should retain the command Tie
i'll disciplined soldicry Of Pennsylvania
were easily conquered in the field, but as
long as Murany protected their retreat,
their entire sullugation was almost hope
less. A strong body Of troops under
! 4 4 Il.
castle. AS Wesselenyi surveyed its ma
tural and artificial deienccs, he almost des-
paired Of efecting its reduction; and whcn
he heard that Maria commanded the gar
rison, lis despair was embitered by the
thought that his hard earned laurels might
now be tarnished by defeat at the hands OF
a woman.
All the arts of war were expended in
vain against the huge mountain fortress;
every attempt cost the blood Of some Of
the kings best troops, and served only as
amusement to the garrison. A protruc,-
ed siege rarely improves tie discipline of
an army, and rumors Of victories on the
side oi the enemy were not wanting to
discourage the siegcfs. Time, too, now
pressed; and, as force was sill evidently
powerless against Murany, Wesselenyi at
last determined to try what persuasion
might eliecton its cemmandress. Disguis-
ing himself in the dress Of an inferior Of
fcer, the General appeared before the
gates as bearer Of q flag Of truce, to demand
parley with the mistress of the castle; and
cunnngly did he talk of favorable condi-
tons and royal rewards, but his opponent
only laughed at his offers. as she had done
al his threats. A good General, however,
always finds out the weak points in his
enemy's deiences; and perhaps the eyes of
Maria had expressed no dispIeasure at the
| handsome face Of the envoy, nor probably
were the beauty aud courage Of the com
mandress without their influence on Yves
sclcnyi's determination. Certain il is, that
the next day another trumpet summoned
The garrison 10 parley, and that this time,
the herald bore a letter offering the heari
and hand of Wesselenyi to his beautiful
enemy, to whom he confessed the rusc he
had practised, but avowed that love had
taken ample revenge for his temerity.-
Caught with the romance, but determined
10 test its sincerity. Maria answered that if
the writer's courage equalled his audacity,
and he was willing to pursue the fortune
he tempted, he might fnd at midnight a
ladder against the northern tower, in
which light would be burning, and where,
i he came alone, he might Lear further Of
his suit
Wesselenyi was too good knight 10 re-
fuse the bidding ofa ladye fayre." hazard
Gus though it might be- At midnight, and
alone. he left his camp, and gaining the
summit Of the rock, found the promised
light il the Northern tower. The ladder
hung from an upper window,and silently.
cautiously did the lover gam the height;
but no sooner had he sprung into the tow
er than be found himself suddenly seized
from behind and dragged to the ground,
while body Of armed men entered the
chant er and bound him In chains. Blind
folded he was led forward, lie knew not
WHITTIER, ill harsh voice commanding
halt, thus addressed the prisoner:-"Sir
knight, strategy is fair il love as well as
war; you have delivered yourself into the
power Of your enemies and it is for them
to dispose of you as they choose; but the
COMMANDERS of the castle is inclined to
mercy. and on condition of your dese4tng
the cause Of the king, she is willing not
only to give you your freedom, but to be-
stow herself and her vast possessions on
yon by marriage. In an hour come to
receive your nswer-acceptance or
deathi' Rude as was the trial where love
and life pleaded against loyasy and duty,
the solder withsiood It nanfully; and at
the hours conclusion returned only sui |
len answer-"Better die than betrayl"-I |
Scarce had the words passed his lips when
the bandagc fell from his eyes; Szecsi Ma
ria stood before him, il al her beauty; |