The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-30
INTERESTING, rr UNTRUE.
The Begns Hnngarian csmmis.
saener as the Centennial Expssi-

AAo hoBue EAAn8 ukAah V9MnAs'
saoner at the Osnssnnaal Expssi.
tion. " ia.'uf- 'Ni
tLondon Tslesrspn.l
Somoskeoy, the renowned Hungarian
swindler, whose extraordinary career ia
America has recently bssn intersered
with in manner which will seclude him
from society for some yean to come
must be man gifted with singular
pluck and elf-posession II half the sto.
ries of his exploits be founded on fact.
According to cur Magyar contemporary,
Pesti Hiriap, the Philadelphis Ekhibi,
ton was the scene Of more than one bold
mystifcation on his part. A few min
utes before the time appointed for the
opening ceremony, Somoskeoy, arrayed
in Hungarian national costume and
wearing the star Of an Austrian order on
his left breast, drove up to the Palace ID
Industry in splendid equipage.
Passing with dignifed mien through
the lines Of attendanta, heentered the re-
ception hall, where the Exhibition Com
missioners, headed by their Chairman.
were drawn up to receive the lhstriona
personages invited to take part in the fec.
tive celebrations of the day. He then
advanced toward the Chairman and &C.
costed him with the words: "Sir, am
Count Veyczey, the Royal Hungarian
Commissioner" The Chairman bowed
and held out. his hand in welcome, but
cast = perplexed glance toward the real
representative Of Hungary, who had al
ready arrived and WAS standing hard BY.
The latter stepped forward and, speaking
in the Magyar idionb observed, II beg
your pardon, but I am the Hungarian
Commissioner" Somoskeoy stared at
him contemptuously, and replied in Eng.
lish, "Within three days you will receive
your recall. Meanwhils, begged enough
10 remember where yeu are and speak
English"
Just at that moment the President Of
the Republic entered the building, and
his arrival diverted the attentions Of the
puzzled Commissioners from the rival
representatives of Magysrlaad.
With unheard OF audacity Somoskeoy
kept his place In the group Of dignitaries
gathered around the Commission; and,
as soon as the President had been duly
greeted the openin ceremony commenced
with the delivery Of several long
speeches. Finding the official eEatory
somewhat tiresomn, Somoskeoy soon
clipped out of the circle and coatrived to
make his way 70 the grand entrance, at
which the Foreign Secretary was sta
toned to receive certain expected guests
Of imperial and royal rank. To this por-
tai the Empress Of Brazil presently drove
up, whereupon Somoskeoy, pushing aside
the Secretary Of State, gracefully assisted
Her Imperial Majesty to slight from her
carriage, and. offering her his arm with a
profound obeisance, led her into the
building.
1t is positively asserted in the account
of this amazing adventure published by
the Pesti Hirlap, that the American Of
fcials, not wishing to run the risk Of
alarming the Empress, and desirous to
avoid public scandal upon 10 impor-
tant an occasion, forebore from all inter
ference with the prince of impostors and
that he acted as Her Majesty's cicerone
during her whole stay in the exhibition
Palace, which lasted for several hours.
Upon the imbroglio being subsequently
explained to the Empress, she is report
ed to have said that, "judging by the
manners and conversation Of the person
who had accompanied her through the
Exhibition, she had imagined him to be
some European personage of exalted
rank" 1t would appear indeed by the
evidence given by foreign diplomstists
and American statesmen at his late trial
that Somoskeoy, as far ~ his outward
bearing and demeanor are concerned, lisa
refined and polished gentleman. 'lt