Preface

To furnish in a convenient and popular form, the most important and interesting facts in the Annals of Hungary, and in the eventful lives of its brave and devoted patriots and distinguished Chief, is the aim of these pages. No attempt has been made at eloquence or philosophical discussion, and it is believed, this plain narrative, will be found to possess the instructive interest of those facts which are "stranger than fiction."

Although the book is, of course, partly compiled, a large portion of it is original; and the substance of the most appropriate parts of many works and scattered documents is collected, arranged and condensed into one volume for popular reading.

Among the valuable books from which extracts have been made, are, "Hungary and Transylvania," by Paget; "Memoirs of the War of Independence in Hungary," by General Klapka, the defender of Komorn; and the "Memoirs of a Hungarian Lady," by Theresa Pulszky, wife of one of the members of Kossuth's Cabinet. Valuable information has also been derived from a work on the "Hungarian Revolution," by John Pragay, a distinguished Hungarian officer. Official and other documents, letters and accounts of travelers, and articles from the most reliable reviews, magazines and newspapers, both American and foreign, as well as the Speeches and Letters of Kossuth, and of Count Pulszky his present Secretary, have been consulted and compared. The proof-sheets have also been submitted to the inspection of Hon. Henry J. Raymond, whose sources of information on this subject, as the well known friend of Hungary and Kossuth, and as the editor of a highly influential journal, are apparent. His opinion of the work is expressed in the able introduction, where will be found a valuable review of the whole subject.

Historic accuracy and impartiality have been a principal aim. That they have been fully attained in matters where the authorities - often themselves interested parties - vary, and where the smoke of a recent contest has not yet disappeared, will hardly be expected.

No attempt is here made to glorify the distinguished Kossuth as a perfect hero, nor to answer the several newspaper charges which have appeared against him. The record of history, to which this is a humble and imperfect contribution, will assign him his just place, among the defenders of human liberty. It may not be improper, however, to remind the reader, that Power, Gold, and Diplomacy have long arms, which can easily span an ocean; that the immense interests of Despotism are at stake; and that ambition, vanity, envy, partizan animosity, selfish fear and other unworthy passions, may be, as they ever have been wielded by great existing powers, against their prominent assailants. Every friend of truth, then, will hear both sides, before allowing a noble sympathy for an oppressed nation, to be crushed by personal attacks upon its most eloquent champion.