160 HUNGARIAN LITERATU RE Deák's lucidity and wise moderation convinced them. Kossuth 's strength lay in his ability to rouse the emotion of his audience more and more by his inexhaustible fire and enthusiasm ; white Deák excelled in linking one con vincing argument with another. The work of the former braced the nat ion to action on the eve of a revolution, while the latter led the nation out of a eritical situation with wisdom and with dignity. - Kossuth's parliamentary career was very short, lasting littie more than twenty months, but it was brilliant and effective . In 1848 he was the leader of the Partiament . and captivated every one by his oratorical gen ius. At that time he had well-defined aims, which he also pro claimed in his English addresses, namely the emancipa tion of the peasants and the defence of the Constitution . To English audiences he gave the follawing explanation of his ai ms. 11 Excepting the citizens of the privil eged towns, the only persons in H ungary and in the countries under the Hungar ian crown, who before the year 1848 enj oyed any of the priYileges, social or political, of the Constitution, were the nobles. Moreover the privileges of a noble family were not confined to the eidest son, as in England, but ali the sons of a nobl eman were thero selves nobles, with th e same privileges as their father. Their numbers might grow without limit, and reach ed about five or six bundred thousand, or about the number of the enfranchised citizens of England. We should not have been worthy of the name of patriot had we not seized the chance of securing the constitutional freedom and independence of our country. And Hungary must be free and indepenclent in accord ance with her rights and the terms of ancient contracts. Hungary is not bound to any other country, but enj oys a separate
