Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-12-11
Matthias Sandorf.
JULES VERNE.
ArrrHoR OF JOURNEY To THE CENTRE
or THE EARTH, "TRIP TO THE MOON,
"ARoUNp THE WORLD IN EIoHIX
nays MICHAEL SfROoOFf,
TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES
UNDER THE SEA. ETC, Ere.
TRANSLATION COPYRIGHTED. 1851
CHAPTER III.
COUNT sANpoRP.

The Magyars settled in Hungary to-
wards the end OF the ninth century OF
the Christian era. They form thiu! of
the population-more than five millions
in number Whence they came Spain
Egypt or Central Asia, vine her they are
descended from the Huns of Attia OF
the Firms OF the North--is disputed
question, and is Of little consequences
One thing is very obvious. that they are
neither Sclaves nor Germans, and have
no desire TO become so.
They still speak their own language
language soft and musical. lending
itself to all the charm OF poctical ca
dence. less rich than the German, but
more concise. more energetic, alanguage
which between the fourteenth and six
teenth centuries took the place of Latin
in the laws and edicts and became the
national tongue
IL was on the 2lst of January, 1899,
that the treaty of Carlowitz gave Hun
gary and Transylvania 10 Austria Twen-
ty years afterwards the Pmgmatic sane
ton solemnly declared that the States of
Austria Hungary were thenceforth midi
visible In default of son the daughter
was TO succeed TO the crown according
to the rule OF primoceniture. And it
was in accordance with this new statute
that in l749 Maria Theresa assembled the
throne of her father. Charles VI, the
last of the male line of the House OF
Austria
The Hungarians had 10 yield to SUI
perior force but $50 years afterwards
people were still TO be met with among
all ranks of society who refused 10 ac-
knowledge either the PIagmatic sanction
or the treaty OF Carlowitz.
At the time tins story opens there was
Magyar OF high birth whose whole
life might be summed mp in these two
sentiments the hatred of everything
German, and the lope of giving his
country her ancient independence Al
though still young he had known Kos
suth. and although his birth and cdu-
cation kept HIM apart from him on inn
portant political questions, he could not
fail to admire the patriots nobility Of
heart
Count Matthias Sandorf lived in one
of the counties OF Pennsylvania in the
district of Fngnras His old castle was
Of feudal origin But on one of the
northern spurs Of the Eastern Carpa-
thians, which form the frontier between
Hnnsylvania and Wallachia, the castle
rose amid the rugged scenery in all its
savage pridea stronghold that con-
spiIators could defend TO ,hc last
The neighborin9 mines, rich in iron
and copper ore, and carefully worked,
yielded considerable income TO the
owner of the Castle az Artcnak. The
estate comprised "a part of the district OF
Fagaras. and the population exceeded
10000, who, all OF them, townsfolk and
countryfolk. took pains TO show that for
Count Sandorf they felt an untiring
devotion and an unbounded gratitude
for the constant good he had done in the
country. This castle was the object Of
, particular attention on the part OF the
Chancery of Hungary at Vienna, for the
ideas OF the master of ,r,euak were
known in high quarters and anxiety
was felt about them. although no anxiety
was betrayed about him.
Sandorf was then in his thirty-sixth
year He was rather above the middle
height and of great muscular strength.
A well shaped, noble looking head rose
above his broad. powerful shoulders
OF rather derk complexion and square
in feature, his face was of the pure
Magyar type. The quickness of his
movements, the decision of his speech.
the firm. calm look of his eyes, the con-
slant sm,le ON Inns lips that unmis tax
able sign of good nature, certain play
fulness of gesture and speech-all went
10 show an open, generous disposition.
1t has been said that there are many re.
semblances between the French and
Magyar characters Sandorf was a liv-
ing proof Of the truth Of this observa-
ton.
One Of ms most striking pecularities
isworth nothing Although Count San
|. dorf was careless enough or what con-
-" cerned only himself, and would pass
lightly over any injury which affected
HIM alone he had never forgiven and
never would forgive an offence of which
his friends were the victims lie had IN
the highest degree the spirit Of justice
and hatred of peridy. and hence pos
sessed a sort Of impersonal implacabil-
ity. being 10y no means one OF those who
leave all punishment in tins world TO
Heaven.
Matthias Sandori had been highly edu.
Gated Instead Of combining himself to
the life Of leisure his fortune opened
out TO him, he had energetically fol
lowed his tastes and been led to the
study Of medicine and ia physical sci
ences He would have m ale an excel.
lens doctor had the nee ssiiies Of life
forced him 20 look after tie sick He
was content to be chemi Il in high re-
pute among the learned The Univer.
sity Of Pesth, the Academy Of Sciences
at PcsburP, the Royal - iool Of Mines
ut Cnemnitz and the Nom lal School al
Tcmcsoar had all counte him among
their most assiduous pupils His stud.
Gus life had improved n ID intensified
his natural gifts. In sh' IT, he was q
man W the fullest accep alton ii the