ich deserves to be handed down. The
devil was dragging a Szekler along on his back. A neighbor of his met
him and said: 'Which way are you going, my good friend?' 'I am being
dragged to hell,' replied the other. 'Indeed, that is truly
unfortunate,' said the other. 'It would be still more unfortunate,'
replied the rogue, 'if the Devil should seat himself on my back, drive
his spurs into me and make me carry him.' I leave you to make the
application. For my part I should not know how to decide aright which
I ought to fear more, the enmity of the one, or the friendship of the
other. And what is to be the result of this war? If we conquer with
the aid of the Sultan Transylvania becomes a Turkish pashalic. If we
are conquered we sink into the condition of an Austrian province,
while now we are, by God's grace, an independent country. Hungary's
fate anticipates improvement in every case, and it lies just as
heavily on my heart as on the hearts of those who think that the sick
man can be healed by the sword. But nothing is to be attained in this
way. How much blood has already flowed without the slightest result!
Let us try at once another way. Ought not the Hungarian to possess so
much strength of soul that he can overthrow, by intellectual
superiority, the foe whom he cannot conquer by force of arms? Subdue
your conqueror. You who in understanding, activity, wealth and manly
beauty are the first of the kingdom, why do you not take the high
position which is becoming you? Were you there where the Pazmans and
Esterhazys spread themselves no empty place would then remain for a
Lobkowitz. If, instead of fighting these small battles without result,
you would fight it out with your intelligences and your influence you
might make your land prosperous and that without the cost of a drop of
blood. It rests with you to conjure up again the period of Louis the
Great. At that time when the foreign prince was so enamored of his
chosen people he understood how to become a Hungarian and so, with the
help of the nations, became strong and powerful. If in your eyes the
prosperity of the nations is of the first importance, change your
role: let the states of Transylvania undertake to promote peace
between the Emperor and the nation, to get back for you your property
and your rank and I will be the first to offer a helping hand for that
purpose, and Michael Teleki surely will be the second. If you do not
accept this proposition then consider wh