Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1797 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. IV. NATIONAL DISLIKE TO THE AUSTRIANS--CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM--STATE OF THE NOBLES, CITIZENS, AND PEASANTS--THE URBARIUM--STATE OF THE CLERGY--INNOVATIONS OF JOSEPH II.--ANTIENT ORDER RESTORED TRANSACTIONS OF THE DIET OF 1790--AND STATE OF THE PROTESTANTS. At Vienna I learned that the Hungarians neither liked the Austrians, nor the Austrian government, and during my stay in Hungary, in every society I found a confirmation of it. In antient animosities, handed down from father to son in opinions kept alive by vulgar proverbs and sayings, we may often find the cause of national hatred; so to the frequent wars which were carried on between these two nations may be attributed some part of the mutual dislike now subsisting. But Hungary has been at war with its other neighbours, and yet with these, national animosities have ceased: we must therefore look further. Hungary Hungary has had its turbulent times, and its public misfortunes, like other nations, probably more than an equal share; and what history of a country is not so full of them, as almost to deter one from turning over the page of history, which is hardly more than a recital of disasters; where years, if years there have been of peace and public happiness, are passed over in a few words, whilst wars, famines, pestilences, and other great calamities which vex society, are detailed in forcible language? But that page of history fills the Hungarian with the deepest sorrow, which records that the crown of Hungary was worn by a prince from a foreign house, and that he kept his court out of Hungary. This has now been the case for a long series of years. The crown from being elective has become hereditary in the house of Austria, whose court is at Vienna. The sovereign seldom...