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Below is a historical magazine article from 1891 about an American tourist being detained in Hungary. Back then the capital was Pesth, which is another spelling of Pest, which is the second part of modern-day Budapest. This article is an interesting example of potential touristic and diplomatic issues in those days. Among the political trials set down for future hearing in the voluminous records of the Austrian courts, is that of Mr. Brace, who was arrested while traveling in Hungary; and if the trial should proceed, it will be watched with very peculiar interest. It will be a lesson for many parties. It is well known that the United States sympathize with the Hungarians; and that, in spite of Jefferson's precept of non-intervention, backed though it was by Washington, they do not always confine their sympathy to words. Mr. Brace is a young gentleman of literary pursuits; he spent the last two years in the University of Berlin; a republican, a traveler, a student, be is naturally acquainted with the active men of many countries and of different political views. He formed the desire to travel in Hungary, for the purpose of studying its political institutions on the spot; and he went accordingly. Several exiles had requested him to see their relations, that he might bring some news from their home; and amongst his luggage he had a card conveying the briefest possible introduction from General Czecz to a friend, a letter from Eugenius Boëthy to his brother, Dr. Schütte's book, and Madame Pulzky's: at Grosswardein, openly, in reply to an open question at a table d'hôte, he expressed some admiration of the character of General Ujhazy, whom personally he did not know. At Pesth he was arrested ; and then he found that the order for his arrest had been given six hours after he crossed the frontier. He was examined by the police; his very candor excited suspicion; his knowledge of persons opposed to the patriot party was pronounced to be "a screen;" the brevity of General Czecz's introduction disguised "a complot;" and carrying out this spirit to the Commissary of Police continually gave to Mr. Brace's answers an interpretation the exact opposite to that which they affirmed. He was lodged in prison. Through an Englishman, however, he managed to convey a knowledge of his situation to Mr. M'Curdy, the American minister; who immediately demanded his release. Prince Schwarzenberg hesitated, and tried to get off with excuses; but Mr. M'Curdy insisted, and threatened to demand his own passports. The prisoner was given up. He had been imprisoned thirty days, lodged among felons in almost Neapolitan filth; the Austrian ministers showed every disposition to keep him there; but the influence of America prevailed. The affair is not ended yet. Mr. M'Curdy accompanied his demand with the offer of a condition -- that if Mr. Brace had violated the law, he should appear to take his trial. This trial will be watched with interest. It will take place in the sight of Europe and America, and also in the sight of Hungary. The oppressed subjects of Austria will see the right of personal freedom vindicated, in the person of a gentleman whose own government will do no more than insist on the strict fulfillment of the law, but will not be content with less. Austria will be obliged to submit to the law, and will be forced to that hateful submission at the dictation of a distant state. It will be brought to that submission, that dictation, before the eyes of Europe, even before its own subjects. It will be a very instructive trial. We do not see how Austria can evade the lesson except by one course --that of not proceeding with the trial. But that would be almost as instructive. Budapest airport transfer Budapest from the inside: Living in Budapest Budapest taxis Budapest Statue Park Hungarian language learning CD-ROM Hertz car rental Current exchange rate Western Union CNN Weather |
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