Hugh Agnew writes:
> Dear fellow-listmembers:

>     I agree that to judge the 10th century with the eyes of the 20th
> is ahistorical and probably unlikely to get anyone very far.  I
> generally find arguments that depend on distant historical "rights"
> whether by conquest or prior occupation not terribly useful in resolv-
> ing current political problems, though it's certainly the stock-in-
> trade of almost all kinds of nationalism.

I have heard in the past the expression "history in the making" and it
always interested me, but I abhorr when it is applied retroactivly. There
seems to be a general tendency by some "historians", that when no
historical data is available, to invent their own in adjective ridden
manner and pretty soon their inventions are quoted as references in school
books.

But maybe the Hungarians should take pride in preventing (I think the
contemporary records actually indicate stopping) the earlier occurance of
brotherly love as expressed today in Bosnia and other sundry places.

Regards and Happy New Year,
Jeliko.

Sorry, I don't know where my head was when I wrote "Jan" instead of
Frantisek. As soon as I sent it off I had the nagging feeling that I
misidentified his given name.

I am extremely glad that Hugh took the trouble of translating the passage in
question. I always read only references to it in secondary sources and the
last time I spent any time on this period was almost twenty years ago. So, I
may not have been entirely accurate but I was close. I am just as aware as
Hugh that Palacky is considered to be the greatest Czech historian of the
nineteenth century (I assume just as the Hungarian Gyula Szekfu3 of the
twentieth century). However, let's face it, this is nothing but nationalistic
drivel just as some of Ba1lint Ho1man's and Gyula Szekfu3's claims and
interpretations were a bunch of nationalistic junk. This is exactly the kind
of heritage we must get rid of in Eastern Europe. It will be hardgoing
because these attitudes are so ingrained. But if we don't, we will be in
trouble. I must say that at the moment Czech-Hungarian relations are
excellent--the best in centuries. It is maybe so, because there is now an
independent Slovakia between them.

Wishing everybody a very happy and prosperous 1995.

Eva Balogh

Rosza Bandi asks about magyar-language reading materials in the U.S.--
*Amerikai Magyar Szo*, published in New York in magyar, is a pretty good
weekly, with coverage of U.S. politics, Hungarian history and the arts,
plus a medical column and some recipes, as well as listings of Hungarian
events on the East Coast (mostly New York and Daytona Beach, Fl.)  It
costs $30/year.  I have the feeling that the grammar and syntax are
somewhat "Americanized," as is some of the vocabulary.

If still interested, the address for subscriptions is 130 E. 16th St.,
N.Y, NY 10003.

I might also suggest, if Rozsa is in the New York area, to try American
Hungarian TV, on Ch. 25 on Sundays at 2 pm--nice rounded 1/2 hour program,
with homeland politics, culture, interviews, etc., all in magyar.

Good luck in the new year!
Be'la