“FR. PULSZKY.”

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On the 26th of March, 1870, he writes a letter which was brought to us by his son, the Augustus mentioned in the letter I have just transcribed.

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“MY DEAR MRS. AND MR. TROLLOPE,—­Detained by Parliamentary duties and the management of my own affairs, I am still unable to make a trip to Italy to visit my friends, who made the time of my exile more agreeable to me than my own country.  But I send in my stead a second edition of the old Pulszky, revised and corrected ad usum Delphini, though I do not doubt that you prefer the old book, to which you were accustomed.  My son Augustus has now finished his studies, and is D.E.L.—­in a few days Lieutenant in the reserve, and Secretary at the Ministry of Finance.  Few young men begin their career in a more promising way.  As to myself, Augustus will tell you more than I could write.  I have remained too long in foreign countries to feel entirely at home at Pesth, where people know how to make use of everybody.  I am M.P., belong to the Finance Committee, am Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the Delegation, Director of the Museum, Chairman of the Philological Section in the Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the Society of Fine Arts, Vice-President of three Insurance Offices, and Member of the Council of two railroads.  This long list proves sufficiently that my time is taken up from early morning to night.  But my health is good, despite of the continuous wear and tear.

“During the summer vacations I wish to go to England.  For ten years I have not been there; and I long to see again a highly civilised people; else I become myself a barbarian.  Still I am proud of my Hungarians, who really struggle hard, and not without success, to be more than they are now—­the first of the barbarians.

“I have for a long time not heard of you.  Of course, in our correspondence your letter was the last, not mine.  It is my own fault.  But you must excuse me still for one year.  Then I hope I can put myself in a more comfortable position.  For the present I am unable even to read anything but Hungarian papers, bills, reports, and business letters.  I envy you in your elegant villa, where you enjoy life!  I hope you are both well, and do not forget your old friend,

“FR. PULSZKY.

“P.S.—­Augustus will give you a good photograph of me.”

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Here is one other letter of the 13th June, 1872:—­

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