Alphabet. A nearer approach to the Phenician than the Jewish, and probably another form.

Era.-National existence terminated A. D. 721. Since then either extinct or incorporated. Equivocal remains in the neighbourhood of Nablous.

JEWS.

Era.-Natural existence terminated A. D. 89. Since then dispersed, but not incorporated.

Physical Conformation.-Differing from that of the Arab in greater massiveness of frame, thicker lips, nose more frequently aquiline, and cranium of greater capacity.

Intellectual Culture.-Pre-eminently early and pre-eminently continuous, i. e., from the time of the Prophets to that of the Rabbinical writers of the Middle Ages, and from these to the present moment; in the latter case the medium generally being languages other than the Hebrew, i.e., those of the respective countries of the different writers.

Moral Influence.-1. As manifested by Jewish writers of Modern Europe, identified with that of the literature of the particular country which produced it.

2. As manifested by the Rabbinical writers anterior to the revival of literature and subsequent to the dispersion, limited or nearly limited to the Semitic nations.

3. As manifested in the evolution of Monotheistic creeds, co-extensive with Judaism Proper, Christianity, Mahometanism."

These notices are in most cases followed by explanatory observations, and some historical facts bearing upon the particular subject. All who take an interest in that exceedingly interesting subject, the varieties of man on the globe,-will find in Dr. Latham's volume abundant information.

Dr. Radcliffe's work, of the "Law of Nature," is a book more or less of profound thoughts on natural subjects. His idea of the law is of the unity of nature-of a uniform law acting equally in the organic as the inorganic world. He supports his idea by arguments drawn from the unity of the organs of living bodies as of plants and animals, and of the unity of their entire organism. His reasonings on these subjects display great knowledge of natural history, of anatomy, and botany. Having, as he conceives, brought forth such evidences of unity, in the forms of organic and inorganic nature, as prove the fact well nigh absolutely, he next seeks to give yet added strength to his strong position, by arguments drawn from the unity of force in organized and inorganized substances.

It is no common mind that can reason thus deeply upon subjects naturally so obscure; and the reasons are such as do equal honour to the writer's heart as to his understanding. All his words betoken reverential feelings; his is a language that gives a clear indication of what spirit he is of the Christian is seen in every line,-the true philosopher, who draws all his wisdom from the only one fountain of truth, and whose writings, therefore, give sound knowledge to the reader, while they secure added blessings to the writer. It is very rarely that we meet with a work of this description,-so philosophical and so scriptural, so able and so pure, so good in intention and so correct in language and execution.

VOL. XXVIII.

D D

LOUIS KOSSUTH AND HIS FAMIL Y.

WITH A PORTRAIT.

[THE following sketches are from the pen of a Hungarian lady who lived on terms of friendly intercourse with the family of Kossuth. At Pesth and Debreczen she had constant opportunities, during the great Hungarian struggle for independence, not only of forming the personal acquaintance of many of the most distinguished men, remarkable in that period, but of gaining an insight into the scenes and events in the midst of which she lived.

Her sketches are drawn with a conscientious regard to accuracy and truth, however much their colouring may owe to the enthusiasm of the writer; and as faithful pictures of life, they will, I have no doubt, be regarded with general interest.

BAYSWATER, Aug. 15th, 1850.

THERESA PULSZKY.]

The political character and the moral influence of the man who in these last eventful years stood at the head of the Hungarian nation, have been illustrated by the events themselves, and by more than one graphical sketch. To those, however, who have admired the lofty genius and the brilliant talents of KOSSUTH, it may be of interest to trace him into the recess of his private relations.

I remember when I first met him, that he struck me as cold and reserved, even to his intimates. I had previously seen him only in Parliament uttering the inspiring accents of noble enthusiasm. It then appeared to me impossible for the mighty orator, whose voice re-echoed in the hearts of the multitudes, to adapt himself to the calm tone of every-day intercourse. I was mistaken. Serious and considerate as he was at an age when careless vivacity might have been justified, the sufferings of imprisonment had imparted a melancholy tinge to a temper predominantly mild; he rarely gave way to mirth and gaiety, and only when surrounded by a small number of friends. His fame as an orator and political writer, the general interest his re-appearance excited after three years' imprisonment, the charm of uncommon beauty, all these were elements to create in more than one maiden's heart revolutions of no political kind. Kossuth was hardly aware of the feelings which he excited; he had given his heart to one, who, without knowing him personally, had manifested the warmest sympathy for the unfortunate prisoner. Though his bride possessed as little wealth as himself, he preferred the blessings of affection to the material advantages of connexions, which, in the enthusiasm for the liberal cause, were offered to its admired champion. The love which endeared his home certainly was of no common kind: it was not subject to the weakening influence of time. Mrs. Kossuth, serious and severe in her disposition, seemed to concentrate the glowing warmth of her passionate feelings upon her Lajos (Louis). With anxiously zealous care she sought to isolate him from every one who might have shared-as she deemed too amply in his regard. This applied to his intercourse with relatives and friends; as for the jealousy more natural to a

woman's heart, she herself acknowledged that she had never had the least occasion for it. But when the sacred love of country grew daily more powerful, when the great patriot restlessly devoted every thought, every breath to the duties imposed upon him by the confidence of the nation,-the doting wife was at last compelled to give up her sole and exclusive claim on his attention. To this reluctant sacrifice her intimates attributed the moments of irritation and despondency, regarded as haughtiness and ill-humour by persons less acquainted with her character. But Kossuth, in the midst of his most pressing occupations, when he had not a single moment to spare for himself, always found leisure to calm the nervous excitement of his consort. He often suffered from fever, yet pursued his labours without interruption, turning a deaf ear to the physician's pressing advice. But any indisposition of his Theresa never failed to disturb him. One morning when she suffered from a nervous attack, not unusual with her, he repeatedly left his study to attend her. At last she was asleep. "Thank Heaven," he said to the physician then present, "thank Heaven that she is better! you can hardly imagine how necessary for my mind to-day is the certitude of her recovery." And he returned to his cabinet, and applied himself again to his work.

When he was with the army, his wife every day received a letter from him. "Angel of my soul!" he once wrote from the camp to Debreczen;" rejoice with me, we have won a new victory. Our young Klapka is driving the enemy resistlessly before him. Kiss the children and sister Louisa; I request of her not to leave you a moment alone. Take care of your health: do not forget that my love and my life are one and the same."

Simplicity reigned in Kossuth's family. After his appointment as minister, he allowed but few alterations in his household concerns; and Theresa, in accordance with Hungarian custom, still attended to all the details of domestic management. There was no luxury; no sumptuousness disturbed the quiet course of this life, in which Kossuth found happiness unmixed with the disappointments of ostentatious vanity. When a servant once addressed him as "Excellency," his master at first rebuked him with mildness; but when the fault was repeated, Kossuth drily said, "János,* if you absolutely will have an excellency you must seek it elsewhere; with me you have no chance to find one." Harshness was strange to his

nature.

His old servant, one morning, in lighting the fire, had destroyed certain papers on which Kossuth's pen had been busied all night. The old man trembled, when by his master's exclamation he became aware of what he had done. Kossuth smiled at his discomfited countenance, and sat down to rewrite the long document. As Márton, with woeful accents, began to apologise, Kossuth objected in a good-natured tone: "But tell me, Márton, why did you want such a quantity of paper for your fire; would not one sheet have done?"+ With his children he often played, and enjoyed their

• John.

+ Márton had been a soldier, and as such appointed to guard Kossuth in his dungeon. When he was set at liberty, he engaged as servant this old man, who had shown him kind regard during his imprisonment.

joys with loud cheerfulness. He delighted in his Vilma's noisy vivacity, whose features most resembled his own. To this she probably owed her mother's fond predilection. He tenderly caressed his affectionate Feri,t and listened with a father's pride to the strikingly clever repartees of little Lajos. He joked with them all, and was amongst them like a harmless child himself. Yet but few persons ever chanced to witness this intercourse of genuine felicity. Even the presence of friends,-his immediate relatives exceptedbroke the spell, recalling him to less bright realities, and to that natural calm dignity, which impressively charmed all who met him.

His widowed mother had for several years lived at Pesth. Here she was with two of her married daughters, and with her only sonher Lajos. Hers was a warm heart; time had not chilled it. Susceptible to every interest, she grieved and rejoiced with her children. Mindful of all their concerns, she had little thought for herself. Her venerable countenance brightened whenever Lajos was mentioned, and a tear of motherly pride then not seldom escaped her. She gladly indulged in recollections of his childhood, remembering how, at the dawn of his existence, with the very first prayer, she had been anxious to impress him with the love of his country and of freedom. At the period of the Polish revolution her house afforded hospitality to many a homeless wanderer. Though not rich she for years willingly supported the exiles who had sought an asylum with her. The generous woman freely imparted a share of her very small income, convinced that her children would never blame her for this, though she lessened their humble inheritance. When she was above seventy years of age, her mind was still elastic enough to view without prejudice the mighty course of events, which, in an impetuous flood, broke in from all sides.

One of her daughters, Susan Meszlényi, but recently a widow, lived at her house with a family of young children.

Whoever knew her respected the unusual qualities of this gifted woman. Her judgment was characterised by the same acuteness, her thoughts by the same clearness as Kossuth's.

Mrs. Meszlényi was not beautiful. Early deprived of cherished illusions, manifold sufferings had swept from her pale countenance the charms longer preserved in the perfumed atmosphere of more ordinary natures. But her soft eyes animated by the bright rays of intellect, and the rich tresses of her fair hair, indicated the youth which had prematurely faded.

Shrinking from intercourse with the common world, she abandoned herself to the interest in her country's welfare, with all the energy of her richly endowed mind. She could not calmly view the crisis which Hungary had to undergo. A true patriot, of warm feeling, and anxious solicitude, she was ready for any self-sacrifice. When Kossuth, with intense grief, became convinced of the sad state in which the military hospitals still were, in spite of his repeated exertions to supply their deficiencies, he sought every means to remedy this calamity. Susan then offered herself, requesting him to entrust her with the care of this difficult task. Kossuth, though for some time he had had little intercourse with his sister, could perfectly appreciate her excellence. He affectionately pressed her hand, and + Francis.

* Wilhelmina.

said, with deep emotion, “Thank you, Susi, nothing could be more fortunate for the poor wounded men ; you will be richly blessed!”

Now for the first time was this woman's character able fully to develop itself. Regardless of fatigue, she journeyed from one hospital to another; all her regulations testified a talent for organization rarely to be met with. The physicians acknowledged the practical merit of her activity; its results were surprising. The abode of suffering soon wore a more consolatory aspect, with the ready support of ladies, who in every part of the country exerted themselves to supply linen, money, and lint. Every one joyfully contributed to the sacred duty of providing for the brave men helplessly stretched on the couch of sickness; thus, at least, they could repose in comfort. Fresh linen, fresh air, cleanliness, with its restorative strength, were soon established by Susan's conscientious attendance. Her name, no doubt, was remembered in the prayer of the convalescent soldier,—her name was not forgotten in the farewell blessing of the dying man.

Before long her merits were generally acknowledged; wherever her duties led her, she was greeted with joyful welcome: the sister of Kossuth,-of the man prized as much by every Hungarian heart, as his name was familiar to every tongue. The Ministry of War addressed an official letter to Mrs. Meszlényi containing the minister's thanks in the name of the country for the generous achievements of the devoted woman. She was named superintendent of all the hospitals, and her sphere of action was thus enlarged.

Louisa Ruttkay, the elder sister of Kossuth, often lived in his house. She was the only one of the family whom the jealous mind of the passionate wife willingly tolerated. I never could account for this preference, as Louisa was utterly different from Theresa, and similar to Kossuth in her soft and amiable disposition. This, I often thought, must have been apt to awaken in Mrs. Kossuth the feelings of exclusive desire, to which she was so prone. But it seemed that her over-agitated mind felt soothed in presence of the peaceful Louisa. Less strikingly talented than her sister, she was characterised by feminine sweetness and warmth of heart. Her countenance, though not regularly beautiful, was eminently graceful. The limpid blue of the eye, overshadowed by mild melancholy, resembled her brother's. An indefinable loveliness seemed to proceed from her: whoever saw her felt the attraction, and desired not to remain a stranger to her. She partook of woman's primitive nature, being sensitive and shy, easily frightened and melted to tears; yet in extraordinary cases, when called upon to testify courage, she overcame her natural disposition. Her heart was warmed by the same love of country which inspired the genius of Kossuth. She is ever present to my mind as in the act of addressing the Polish battalion, which had elected her "patroness of its standard."* To utter words in public was so contrary to her inclinations, that when I saw her on the morning of the solemnization, her heart throbbed at the very thought of her task.

We drove together to the large Museum-place, then covered with multitudes. After the priest had consecrated the standard, it was

• In Hungary, as in Austria, it is customary for ladies to embroider standards. A lady selected by the battalion witnesses the consecration of the standard, and presents it to the soldiers.