HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (HUNGARY, ante). The origin .of the language is involved in obscurity, but its vitality is remarkable. It was no doubt spoken and written by some of .the tribes in middle Asia at a very early period. It is now accommodated to the Latin alphabet, and consists of 26 simple and 6 compound sounds. Whatever changes it has undergone, it yet retains all its essential features. It indeed embodies many foreign words, but it has assimilated them in accordance with its own fundamental laws. Its system of suffixes gives it great plasticity, enabling it to meet in the readiest way difficulties that other languages can only overcome in a very awkward fashion. It is capable of expressing with ease and fidelity every shade of meaning conveyed in other tongues. The literature of Hungary is of comparatively recent date, its growth having been checked by the introduction of Latin as the language of priests and teachers as well as of the court under Stephen I., who introduced the Roman religion and reigned from 997 to 1038. The remnants of Hungarian writing from this time till the Protestant reformation are very scanty. This,great movement promoted the cultivation of the native tongue, but the German 'element coming in with the Hapsburgs offered a new check to the development of the national literature. In the 16th c., parts of the Bible were translated into Magyar, and distinguished orators and poets made the language the vehicle of their appeals to the national feeling. In the 17th c. the entire Bible was translated into Magyar, the Hungarian muse found new votaries, and eminent orators arose to stir the hearts of the people by addressing them in their native tongue. But the influence the German dynasty arrested the national movement, and Latin again predominated. Near the close of the last c. there was a reaction, and societies for the cultivation of the Magyar tongue were formed, and various periodicals founded in the same interest. The new movement, identical as it was with
the regeneration of the nation, was successful; and within the first 25 years of the present c. all foreign elements gave way before it. The credit of this is largely due to Francis Kazinczy, the great linguistic reformer, and the poets Csokonsi, Dayka, V erseghy, Alexander, and Vinig. The golden age of Hungarian literature was the 30 years pre ceding the revolution of 1848-49. Charles Kisfaludy, brother of Alexander, created the Hungarian drama by his tragedies and comedies. Kolesey by his logical poems, ballads, prose writings, and orations, exerted a potent influence upon the patriotism of the nation, Fay's fables, and Cznezor's and V6rOsmarty's popular epics also did much to evoke and foster a true national feeling. Bajza was not only an eminent lyrical poet, but a his torical writer and wsthetical critic. Jimsilta and Eotv0s, eminent in the field of historical faction, exercised a large influence. Belenyei, Csaszar, Bartholomew Szemere, and others wrote books of travel. As political writers Szezhenyi, Kossuth, DAV:is, and others took high rank; while in the field of history Horvath, Peczely, Jaszay, and Bajza did excellent work. Szontagh, Marki, Gregus, and others wrote historical treatises; while the natural sciences, theology, languages, and antiquities did not lack for exponents. The revolution of 1848-49 many gifted writers to the dungeon, the scaffold, or exile, and the literature of the List 30 years is not on the whole equal to that of the pre ceding period. The restoration of time Hungarian constitution has, however, brightened the literary prospects of the country.