Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29

Arab writer. According TO them, the Mag
vars were tribe Of Turkish nomads, who,
being driven from their own territory by
the encroachments OF their more power
full countrymen, wandered westward, and
eventually reached Hungary by way or
the Lower Danube, I'm response to an in
vitatlon Of King Arnulph, of Bavaria
who needed their military assistance
against the Slav King OF Morayia.
For nearly a century the Magyars set
tied In Hungary continued their priml-
tive mode Of life as warlike nomads. I'M
dertaking periodical raids TO all parts or
Europe, and capturing numerous prison
ers: these they employed in agricultural
pursuits, while the Magyars themselves
remained the dominant race. Toward the
close OF the tenth century the Magyars
embraced Christianity, and, blending in
one political body the various clinical ele-
ments which had become resident In Hun
gary, constituted the Hungarian nation.
For centuries the Magyar minority con
tinued TO rule over the on-Magyar ma
jority by sheer force OF their warlike ana
governing characteristics. BY the aid OF
their liberal institutions and the hospi-
tally which they extended to foreigners
they succeeded in maintaining their SUI
premacy through all vicissitudes. From
these Asiatic nomads the present Hun
garian nation descended.
Professor Vambery then went on TO say
that Hungary had invariably formed an
.nslrmountaDle barrier against the bar
barlsm of the East. Had 1t not been for
the stubborn resistance offered by the
Christian armies of Hungary to the in
roads OF Turkish hordes. the progress
and civilization OF Western and Central
Europe would have been retarded for hun
dreds of years. Indeed. 1t could be said
that Hungary had acted as the sentinel of
western civilization, but, in consequence
Of its being I'm perpetual readiness for
war, the intellectual condition OF the
country had remained behind. During the
past two centuries this had been remedied,
and In all respects the progress and de-
velopment OF the nation had been re-
marlIable. At the beginning OF the pres
ent century the Magyar population OF
Hungary numbered only about 100000.
To-day il exceeds 100000.
There is scarcely any trace left OF his
Asiatic extraction In the modern Magyar.
He still retains. however, those liberal,
generous, and chivalrous traits which as
sisted him in conquering the various nom
Magyar elements OF the country, and
which have given him that extraordinary
power OF absorption by means of which
a mere handful Of Asiatic wanderers have
gradually grown into powerful nation,
which is about TO celebrate the one-thou-
sandth anniversary OF its existence.
An account Of the new flre-proof paper
prepared by L. Frobeen. OF Berlin, shows
the production OF a valuable article for
Industrial and other purposes. Ninety-five
parts OF asbestos fibre OF the best quality
are washed in a solution of permanganate
OF calcium and then treated with sulphur
ic acid. the fibre being thus bieached. At
ter treating the fibre in this manner, five
parts OF ground wood pulp are added, and
the entire mass placed in the agitating
box, with an addition OF lime water and
borax After being thoroughly mixed the
material Is pumped into regulating box
and allowed to flow cut OF gate into an
endless wire cloth, where II enters the US
ual paper-making machinery Paper pro-
duced In this way. II is reported. will re-
sist even the direct influence OF flame,
and may be placed In white heat with
impunity. Ordinary paper may be made
fire-proof by treating IL with fluid con-
sisting Of thirty-three parts manganate
OF chloride, twenty parts OF orthophospho-
rio acid, twelve parts carbonate OF mag
nesia, ten parts boric acid. and twenty
Ave parts chloride OF ammonia In one quart
OF water; this solution is applied several
times, and paper saturated with IL will re-
sist great heat and the direct influence OF
flame for some time.