Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1996. Vol. 1. Eger Journal of English Studies.(Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 24)

George Cushing: Eger - British connections

The title of his book is accurate, for it contains a mixture of descriptions, historical tales and stories of 1848, ending with a portrait of Klapka. One of the longest chapters is entitled 'Erlau and its vine culture', and in it Mednyánszky describes his birthplace in glowing terms: 'Nearly midway between Pesth and Tokaj, two miles north of the road running along the southern declivities of the rugged Mátra mountains, a smiling valley opens towards the plains; disclosing the vista of an extensive town with glittering spires and cupolas, crowned by the mighty ruins of a fortress. Gentle hills dotted with countless villas enclose that charming spot, which in its picturesque and sequestered nook looks the very type of rural plenty, content and peace. This is Erlau, the capital of the county of Heves, and one of the prettiest provincial towns of Hungary. It rises in terraces from the banks of a small river, arched over by several massive bridges, each ornamented with statues of saints. The peakedroofed houses are whitewashed and, though of simple construction, display an air of neatness and prosperity.'

1 He then goes on to describe the cathedral and 'its noble rival the so-called Lyceum. This gorgeous structure with its gilded cupolas and towering observatory, its painted halls and chapel is truly worthy the residence of the mightiest of the sovereigns of knowledge.'

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1 He then relates the famous story of the encounter between Joseph II and Bishop Esterházy, when the monarch asked him how many princes had contributed to its construction and the bishop replied, 'Only three unpretending people, the Bishop of Erlau, Count Esterházy and the Lord Lieutenant of Heves.' He also states firmly that the stones for the building of the Lyceum were taken from the fortress ruins, and declares that in his opinion 'the bastions of the fortress first became genuine bulwarks of civilization and humanity when they were transferred to their present destination.'He praises the elegance of the Turkish minaret and the care with which it is preserved, so that 'the Moslem pilgrims who now and then visit the graves of one or other of their holy men interred in Hungary may rejoice at the sight of the Crescent still shining though from a deserted building, with undimmed splendour above a Christian town.'

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3 There follows an extended account of the viticulture of Eger, in which Mednyánszky attributes the hospitality and general good temper of the citizens to their acquaintance with wine-making. 'Incessant occupation in the vineyards has endowed the people of Erlau with a rich vein of good 57