The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-01-15
CHAPTER III.
COUNT SANDORF.


The Magyars settled in Hungary to-
wards the end of the ninth century of
the Christian era. They form a third Of
the poprlation-more than five millions
in number. Whence they came-Spain,
Egypt or Central Asia, whether they are
descended from the Huns of Attila or
the Firms of the North-is disputed
question, and is of little consequence
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 poetical 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
1t was on the 21st of January, 1892
that the treaty of Carlowitz gave Hun
gary and Pennsylvania to Austria. Twen-
ty years afterwards the Pragmatic sane
tion solemnly declared that the States Of
Austria Hungary We're thenceforth imdi-
visible. In default of a son the daughter
was to succeed to the crown according
to the rule of primogeniture. And it
was in accordance with this new statute
that III 1740 Maria Theresa ascended the
throne of her father, Charles VI, the
last of the male line of the House of
Austria
TIL g Hungarians had to yield to su-
perior force but $50 years afterwards
people were still to be met with among
all ranks of society who refused to ac-
knowledge either the Pragmatic sanction
or the treaty OF Carlowitz.
AT the time this story opens there was
Magyar of high birth whose whole
life might be summed up in these two
sentiments-th hatred of everything
German, and the .ope Of giving his
country her ancient independence. Al
though still young he had known Kos
su'h. and although his birth and cdu-
cation kept hun apart from him on im-
portant political questions he could not
fail to admire the patriots nobility of
heart.
Count Matthias Sandorf lived in one
of the counties of Transatlantic in the
district of Fagaras. His old castle was
! of feudal origin. But on one of the
northern spurs of the Eastern Carpa-
! thians. which form the frontier between
TmMsvlvania and Wallachia, the castle
rose amid the rugged scenery in all its
savage pride-a stronghold that con-
| spirators could defend to the last.
The neighboring mines, rich III iron
and copper ore, and carefully worked,
| welded Il considerable income to the
| owner of the Castle of Artenak. The
| estate comprised Il part of the district OF
| FapaIas. and the Dopulation exceeded
20, COO who. all Of them, townsfolk and
| countryfolk. took pains to show that fol
| Count Sandorf they felt an untiring
| devotion and an unbpunded gratitude
for the constant good he had done III tn,
country. This castle was the object OF
| particular attention ON the part of Ia,
| Chancery of Hungary Mt Vienna, for the
ideas of the master of Artenak were
known in high quarters and nNiet,
VAS felt abou, them, although no anxiety
WAS betrayed about him.
SmdoIf was then in his thirty-sxtl
year He was rather above the middle
height and of great muscular strength
A we'll shaped, noble looking head ros,
above his broad, powerful shoulders
OF rather derk complexion and squar,
in feature, his face was of the pur'
Magyar type, The quickness of hi
movements the decision of his speech
the firm, calm look of his eyes, the con
s'anl smile on his lips, that unmistak
able sign of good nature, certain play
lulrr-s OF gesture and speech-all wen
to show mn open, generous disposition
II las been said that there are many re