LIFE AND WORKS
OF
ALEXANDER CSOMA DE KÖRÖS.
A Biography compiled chiefly from hitherto
Unpublished Data;
WITH
A BRIEF NOTICE OF EACH OF HIS PUBLISHED WORKS AND ESSAYS,
AS WELL AS OF HIS STILL EXTANT MANUSCRIPTS.
BY
THEODORE DUKA, M.D.
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND;
SURGEON-MAJOR HER MAJESTY’S BENGAL MEDICAL SERVICE, RETIRED;
KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF THE IRON CROWN;
CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF HUNGARY
LONDON:
TRÜBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL.
1885.
[All rights reserved.]
Ballantyne Press
BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
PREFACE.
Scanty as are the authentic data from which this biography was
compiled, they form, nevertheless, a connected narrative of the chief
events in the life of a remarkable man of science, who, although a
foreigner, never published anything but in the English tongue. Few, if
any, foreign savants have been honoured by Englishmen as he was; a fact
to which the memorial standing over his grave bears ample testimony.
It is hoped that the reader will follow with sympathy the details of an
arduous scientific career, the best years of which were offered to the
service of the British Government, and will agree with us also in
thinking that Alexander Csoma de Körös attained in some measure the
reward he looked for, in so far that his name will never be omitted
from any work bearing upon Tibetan literature or Buddhistic learning.
This biography is herewith presented to the reader in the sincere hope
of a generous indulgence for its many shortcomings, although the
production of it, imperfect as it is, has, in the circumstances under
which it was prepared, necessitated the attention of many years before
it could be brought to its present state of completion.
When the late Mr. Nicholas Trübner first saw the manuscript of this
book, he at once kindly expressed his readiness to undertake its
publication, and even suggested the desirability of editing a complete
collection of all the works and essays of Csoma de Körös, which, at the
present time, are only to be found scattered over many volumes of
publications, extending over a period of more than thirty years.
Perhaps Mr. Trübner’s successors may see their way to carry out the
project he had in view, and to rescue, for the benefit of European
students, the important work in manuscript which is noticed in the
Appendix xvi. at page 207 of this volume.
The reader will observe that a certain latitude has been permitted in
the spelling of Indian names and Tibetan words occurring in this work.
In the text Dr. Hunter’s system has been generally followed, but in the
quotations, both from print and manuscripts, the ancient forms of
spelling have in most cases been retained. As to the Tibetan words
Csoma’s authority was decisive; moreover, instead of adhering
invariably to the strict rules of Tibetan orthography, with its
frequent use of mute letters, the abbreviated forms have been
preferred. The strict rendering of accents and diacritical marks seemed
hardly requisite in a work like this.
The author desires to express his acknowledgments to Mr. Frederic
Pincott, M.R.A.S., for important assistance rendered by him in
reviewing and passing through the press the Sanskrit and Hindi part of
the vocabulary at the end of the volume.
London, 55 Nevern Square,
South Kensington, February 1885.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGES
Introduction—Csoma’s birthplace, parentage, and early
childhood—Studies at Nagy Enyed in Transylvania, and at the
University of Göttingen in Hanover—Plans and preparations
for the journey—Departure for the East 1–14
CHAPTER II.
Biographical sources—English and French authorities—Baron
von Hügel’s data examined—First news of Csoma in India—His
appearance at the frontier—Detained at Sabathú—Csoma’s first
letter to Captain Kennedy—Moorcroft’s introduction 15–38
CHAPTER III.
Government orders respecting Csoma’s stipend—His report
regarding his past studies in Hungary, Germany, and at the
Buddhist Monastery of Yangla in Zanskar—Account of his
journey across Central Asia—Plans for the future 39–66
CHAPTER IV.
Second journey into Tibet—Sojourn at Pukdal in Zanskar—
Csoma’s position as to the Asiatic Society of Bengal—
Return to Sabathú 67–72
CHAPTER V.
Embarrassing situation—Csoma petitions Government to be
allowed to visit Calcutta, or to go to Tibet for three
years more to complete his studies 73–78
CHAPTER VI.
Government orders on Csoma’s last application—Third journey
into Tibet to Upper Besarh—Dr. Gerard’s visit to Kanum, and
his letter to Mr. W. Fraser on the subject 79–98
CHAPTER VII.
Csoma completes his Tibetan studies at Kanum—Correspondence
with Dr. Horace Hayman Wilson, Captain Kennedy, and Mr. Brian
H. Hodgson 99–111
CHAPTER VIII.
Csoma’s arrival in Calcutta—Resolution of Government of India
as to the publication of his works—Was elected Honorary Member
of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 112–118
CHAPTER IX.
The Tibetan Grammar and Dictionary are published at Government
expense—Mr. Prinsep’s letter to Government on the subject—
Prince Eszterházy to Mr. James Prinsep—Mr. Döbrentei, of Pest,
to the same 119–130
CHAPTER X.
Csoma applies for a passport in November 1835 to enable him to
travel in Hindustan—Leaves Calcutta—His last letters to Mr.
Prinsep—Return to Calcutta in 1837—Dr. Malan, Secretary of the
Asiatic Society of Bengal 131–142
CHAPTER XI.
Csoma’s stay in Calcutta as Librarian to the Asiatic Society
of Bengal from 1837–1842—Last arrangements—His bequest to the
Asiatic Society of Bengal—Leaves Calcutta for the last time
—Sets out on his journey to Lassa—Death at Darjeeling—
Dr. Archibald Campbell’s report to the Secretary of Government
—Csoma’s grave and tombstone 143–162
CHAPTER XII.
Prince Eszterházy’s inquiries regarding Csoma’s papers—List of
some of them—Renewal of his tombstone at Darjeeling, which is
placed on the list of public monuments by Government—His
portrait—Conclusion 163–167
APPENDIX.
PAGE
List of Csoma’s works 169
I. Analysis of the Kahgyur and Stangyur 170
II. Geographical notice of Tibet 176
III. Translation of a Tibetan fragment 179
IV. Note on Kála-Chakra and Adi-Buddha Systems 181
V. Translation of a Tibetan passport 182
VI. Origin of the Shakya race 182
VII. Mode of expressing numerals in Tibetan 186
VIII. Extracts from Tibetan works 189
IX. Interpretation of the Tibetan inscription on a Bhotian
banner taken in Assam 193
X. Note on the white satin-embroidered scarfs of the
Tibetan priests 194
XI. Notices on different systems of Buddhism extracted from
Tibetan authorities 195
XII. Enumeration of historical and grammatical works to be
met with in Tibet 198
XIII. Remarks on amulets in use by the Trans-Himalayan
Buddhists 199
XIV. Review of a Tibetan medical work 201
XV. Brief notice of Subháshita Ratna Nidhi of Saskya Pandita 205
XVI. A Manuscript Dictionary of Sanskrit and Tibetan words,
phrases, and technical terms 207
XVII. A Comparative Vocabulary of Sanskrit, Hindi, Hungarian,
&c., words and names. A fragment 217
LIFE OF ALEXANDER CSOMA DE KÖRÖS.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction—Csoma’s birthplace, parentage, and early
childhood—Studies at Nagy Enyed in Transylvania, and at the
University of Göttingen in Hanover—Plans and preparations for the
journey—Departure for the East.
Towards the end of 1843 Dr. Archibald Campbell, the Government Agent of
British Sikkim, wrote as follows:—“Since the death of Csoma de Körös I
have not ceased to hope that some member of the Asiatic Society (of
Bengal) would furnish a connected account of his career in the East. It
is now more than a year and a half since we lost him, but we are as yet
without any such record in the Journal of the Society, to show, that
his labours were valuable to the literary Association, he so earnestly
studied to assist in its most important objects.”
It was Dr. Campbell who, in April 1842, watched the closing scenes of
Csoma’s life at Darjeeling, and his was the friendly hand, which
performed the last services at his grave.
The 4th of April 1884 was the hundredth anniversary of Csoma’s
birthday, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences thought this a fitting
occasion to render homage to that distinguished man of science, who was
a Fellow of their Society. The method of commemoration which suggested
itself was the publication of a collected edition of his scattered
works and essays, translated into the Hungarian language, and
accompanied by a biographical sketch. In the compilation of this
sketch, advantage has been taken of the disjointed and imperfect data
which have as yet appeared on the subject; and at the same time
important facts have been brought forward which had previously remained
unknown.
In the archives of the Foreign Office in Calcutta, many letters are to
be found which refer to Csoma de Körös and to his Tibetan labours,
during the prosecution of which he enjoyed the support of the Supreme
Government of India. Copies of these letters have been placed at the
writer’s service by the courtesy of Mr. Durand, under-secretary of that
department. Six original letters of Csoma have also been found in the
library of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which will be noticed in due
course.
The narrative as it now stands will, it is hoped, make those interested
in philological science better acquainted with the details of Csoma’s
early years, and enable them to follow without interruption the steps
of his long and arduous wanderings. These were for the most part
accomplished on foot, and extended from Europe across Central Asia,
Bokhara, through Afghanistan, the Panjab, and Kashmir towards the
borders of China, and afterwards into Tibet and Hindustan down to
Calcutta.
The motives which led him to devote himself to these literary and
historical researches, and the causes which induced him to sacrifice so
many years of his life to the study of the Tibetan language and
literature, will be set forth on the authority of hitherto unpublished
data; and it is confidently expected, that they will clear up many
still obscure points in the career of this remarkable student, and
dispel the erroneous, and sometimes even unjust, judgments which have
been formed regarding his works and merits.
Of Alexander Csoma’s early years but few data exist. According to the
parish register he was born on the 4th of April 1784, in the village of
Körös, in the county of Háromszék, in Transylvania. Körös is situated
in a beautiful valley below the town of Kovászna, and its inhabitants
carry on a flourishing trade in the manufacture of sieves (for which
there is a special demand), and various articles of fancy woodwork.
Körös is a pure Székely village, where the occupier and the proprietor
are one and the same, where landlords and subject-cultivators of the
soil were never known. It is the only frontier community in which no
Wallachian ever settled. [1] The house in which Alexander first saw the
light was destroyed by fire, but it is known that the dwelling which at
present bears the number 143 on the village register, was built on the
same plot of ground as the house stood in which Csoma was born. [2] His
father’s name was Andrew, and the mother’s Ilona Göcz. His family was
poor, but belonged to the military nobles called Széklers, a tribe
which had for centuries guarded the frontiers of Transylvania against
the invasions of the Turks. Csoma’s family is still known there; one of
his nephews, also called Alexander, fell as a Honvéd in the War of
Independence during a street fight at Nagy Szeben [3] in 1849. Gabriel,
his only brother, left a son, also Alexander by name, who survives. A
cousin, Joseph Csoma, was Protestant pastor in the small village of
Mono, in the county of Middle Szolnok. The proprietor of the village,
Baron Horváth, whilst residing there, met him almost daily. We learn
from this source, that our Csoma’s near relations, and those friends
who knew him in early life, are all dead, and we are therefore unable
to gather much information of the incidents of his boyhood. Baron
Horváth, however, tells us, on the authority of Joseph Csoma, [4] that
Alexander, even as a boy, showed a keen desire for knowledge, and was
of a restless disposition, which, “like a swallow, is impelled on a
distant journey when the autumn arrives.” He was endowed with a strong
body and a sound constitution, and by continual exercise became fitted
for extraordinary feats of endurance, such as we witness in the course
of his life.
“He was of an elastic nature, and a Székler of powerful frame,
resembling me to a certain extent,” was the remark of Joseph Csoma, a
remark which he made with evident satisfaction; “but yet we were not
quite alike,” the pastor added with a smile, “because if I walk much, I
like to rest betimes, but my cousin Alexander, if once started off, did
not stop till the end of his journey was attained. As boys, we could
never compete with him in walking, because when he happened to reach
the top of a hill, that did not satisfy him, but he wished to know what
was beyond it, and beyond that again, and thus he often trotted on for
immense distances.”
Alexander Csoma’s early education began at the school of his native
village, and it appears, that in or about the year 1799 he entered the
College of Nagy Enyed as a student. One of his masters, afterwards a
faithful friend, Professor Samuel Hegedüs, always took a warm and
kindly interest in the lad; and the memoir which he has left regarding
Csoma, being based on personal knowledge, will ever remain a valuable
source of information respecting Csoma’s early career. Professor
Hegedüs has described in vivid terms the parting scene when Csoma set
out on his life’s destiny. “I knew him,” the Professor said, “from his
childhood, and I may say I lived in most intimate friendship with him.
We held a long conversation up to the moment of his departure; and I
can therefore conscientiously say, from all I know of him, I do not
recollect, that he ever gave his superiors or teachers cause for
reproof, or his fellow-pupils an occasion for a complaint. I include
Csoma among those fortunate and rare individuals, against whom nobody
has ever had a grievance, nor have I heard him make a complaint about
others. He bore work and fatigue to a wonderful degree, a power which
he owed to temperate habits and purity of life and conduct.
“He was of middle stature, with dark hair and complexion; his face was
oblong, the expression of his countenance full of sympathy, his eyes
replete with thoughtful melancholy. He spoke little. If he happened to
be of a contrary opinion to those around him, he never pressed his own
point obstinately. I do not believe,” says Hegedüs, “he could ever be
very angry with anybody, a trait in his character which secured him
friends and sympathy everywhere.”
In dress he was neat and simple, easily satisfied, and economical; and
he was particularly careful in money matters. The small savings, which
as a senior student he was enabled to effect, from fees paid to him by
his juniors for private tuition, he stored so carefully, that he was
considered one of the richest in the school.
The generality of Székler students, except the higher and well-to-do
nobles, have to undergo many hardships during their years of public
school-life. The College of Nagy Enyed has, however, always lent a
helping hand to the sons of this nationality. Some of the Székler boys
perform menial services for their richer fellow-pupils, and in return
obtain food and lodging; others are employed to keep the lecture and
public rooms clean and tidy, for which food is given them at the
college-board. For others again, if there are sufficient funds,
provision is made free of all payment. The number of such poor students
amounts often to two hundred and more.
Csoma’s education at the College of Nagy Enyed was obtained under the
arrangements here described. Hegedüs knew him first as a pupil-servant
[5] in the lower form, and afterwards in the upper school, when he gave
Csoma private lessons in ancient literature and mathematics, and was in
the habit of correcting his Latin and Hungarian compositions. As
regards intellectual powers, Csoma was not considered in any way a
genius, but rather looked upon as an example of industry and
perseverance.
In 1807, Csoma finished his career at the Gymnasium, and was promoted
to the higher course of academical studies. At this time the desire to
travel in Asia was kindled in him. As, while attending lectures at the
college, history happened to be a favourite branch of study, owing to
the popularity of Professor Adam Herepei, the teacher of this subject,
it was natural that frequent and interesting debates and conversations
should arise among the students regarding the ancient history and
origin of the Hungarian people. It is recorded that Csoma and two of
his fellow-pupils had made a vow, to undertake a scientific journey,
with the object of discovering some trace of the origin of their
nation. Ten years later, we find Csoma at the German University of
Göttingen animated by the same desire. Here he came under the influence
of Professor Eichhorn, the celebrated historian and oriental scholar,
and under him, the student’s long-cherished design was fully matured.
Csoma used to say that he heard from Eichhorn statements about certain
Arabic manuscripts which must contain very important information
regarding the history of the Middle Ages and of the Hungarian nation
when still in Asia, and that much of these data remained unknown to
European historians. This induced Csoma to devote himself to the study
of Arabic under Eichhorn’s guidance, and made him resolve not to
proceed on his travels until he had studied at Constantinople all the
available Arabic authors on the subject.
Theophylaktes Simocatta, the Greek historian under the Emperor
Mauritius, declares, in the course of his annals of the war against
Persia, that, after dispersing the Avar hordes, in A.D. 597, the
victorious Turks subdued the Ugars, a brave and numerous nation. On
this supposition, certain writers have come to the conclusion that, as
there is a similarity in the sound of the words Ugor, Ungri, Hungar,
Unger, Hongrois, &c., this long-forgotten tribe might possibly be the
ancestors of the Hungarians of the present day. Other writers, again,
according to Pavie, have maintained that the Hungarians are an offshoot
of the ancient nation of Kiang, which took its wandering steps
westward. [6]
We shall find, in Csoma’s own account, the special reasons which
induced him to decide on prosecuting his specific object. He was made
of the right stuff for such an enterprise, for, having once taken the
resolution, he was ready to face all the trials and struggles in the
way, of the magnitude of which he was duly warned. He deliberately
prepared himself for the task, by systematic scientific studies
continued over many years, without patronage or pecuniary aid of any
kind, beyond Councillor Kenderessy’s promise of support, amounting to
one hundred florins a-year. The entire sum of his other resources
amounted to little more than two hundred florins. “Relying solely,” as
Hegedüs says, “on Divine Providence and on the unalterable desire to
sacrifice his life in the service of his country, he started towards
the distant goal,” regarding which Csoma pointedly remarks that he
“cannot be accounted of the number of those wealthy European gentlemen
who travel at their own expense for pleasure and curiosity; being
rather only a poor student, who was very desirous to see the different
countries of Asia, as the scene of so many memorable transactions of
former ages; to observe the manners of several peoples, and to learn
their languages, ... and such a man was he, who, during his
peregrinations, depended for his subsistence on the benevolence of
others.” [7]
But we have still to add a few details to the history of his life at
Nagy Enyed. After completing his studies there, he was elected Lecturer
on Poetry, in which appointment he acquitted himself with credit, to
the entire satisfaction of his superiors. On the pages of a manuscript
Vocabulary in the library of the Academy of Sciences at Budapest
(Appendix XVII.) there are some verses in Hungarian, which tend to show
how versification remained always a favourite occupation with him; and
his skill therein doubtless cheered the dreary hours during his long
sojourn in the Buddhistic monasteries.
We find similar relics of Csoma in the shape of several Greek and Latin
distichs, and a French quotation. They are in his handwriting, and
found on the back of a portrait of Professor Mitscherlich of Göttingen.
This picture, now in the possession of the Hungarian Academy of
Sciences, he gave as a memento to his friend, Szabó de Borgáta, who, it
is said, was instrumental in inducing Csoma to undertake a journey to
the East.
The characteristic quotations are as follows:—
I.
Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.—Virgilius.
II.
Συν Μουσαις [8] τὰ τερπνὰ καὶ τὰ γλυκέα Γίνεται πάντα Βροτοῖς
Εἰ σοφὸς, εἰ καλὸς, εἴ τις ἀγλαὸς Ἀνήρ.
—Pind. Od. xiv.
III.
Σμικρὸς ἐν σμικροῖς, μεγας ἐν μεγάλοις Εστι.
—Pind. Pyth. iii.
IV.
C’est par le plaisir et par la vertu que la nature nous invite au
bonheur.
V.
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci.—Horatius.
VI.
Omnia deficiant, virtus tamen omnia vincit
Per quodvis praeceps ardua vadit iter.
—Ovidius.
VII.
Sit tibi, quod nunc est, etiam minus; at tibi vive,
Quod superest sevi, si quid superesse volunt Di.
—Horatius.
Scribebam dulcis recordationis ergo,
Göttingae, die 10o Aprilis, anni 1817.
Alexander Körösi, [9]
Transylvano—Siculus. [10]
Part of his holidays Csoma was wont to spend as a private tutor. In
1806 his friend Hegedüs left Nagy Enyed to take up clerical duties
elsewhere; but after an absence of eight years, on returning to his
former professorial chair at the old College, he was greeted, on the
part of the students, by Csoma, who then held the position of Senior
Collegian. Hegedüs noticed then, with much satisfaction, that besides
an acquaintance with general literature, Csoma had made marked progress
in the Latin and Greek classics, and had become familiar with the best
works of French and German authors. In 1815 he passed the public
“rigorosum” in the presence of Professor Hegedüs, by which Csoma became
qualified to continue his studies at a University abroad.
This is a fitting place to mention a circumstance, of which probably
few Englishmen are aware. It may be looked upon as another link in the
bond of sympathy which still exists between Hungary and England.
History tells us, that in the year 1704, during the Hungarian civil
wars, the town of Nagy Enyed and its flourishing college were almost
razed to the ground, the students were cut down, and one of the
professors was mortally wounded. Not merely the public exchequer but
private individuals and the municipal corporations became completely
exhausted and ruined, by the long-continued struggle against the
Imperialists, under the national leader, Rákóczy, between the years
1703 and 1711. This calamity was the reason why nothing could be done
at that time by the Hungarians themselves for Nagy Enyed, and yet the
necessity of taking some steps became more urgent day by day. Students
in large numbers were applying for admission, but the College
authorities were not even in a position to put a roof over the ruins
which remained standing, still less to afford that assistance which is
so much needed by the Székler youths. The prevailing distress was
brought to the knowledge of Queen Anne of England and of the Archbishop
of Canterbury, and through them to the English nation. And the cry for
help was not in vain. The aristocracy and the citizens of London came
forward most liberally, the Archbishop caused collections to be made in
the churches for the relief of the distressed; and the result was that
a sum, exceeding eleven thousand pounds, was collected and deposited in
the Bank of England. A great part of the money remains to this day
invested in the 3 per cent. Consols for the benefit of the college, and
is managed by the banking firm of Messrs. Herries, Farquhar & Co.
This contribution from England was the basis on which the future
material prosperity and intellectual progress of the College of Nagy
Enyed was reconstructed after the great national disaster which befell
Hungary at the commencement of the eighteenth century. We may add, that
the funds have been most conscientiously administered, enabling the
managers of the College to found two travelling scholarships in 1816.
Csoma de Körös was one of the first scholars to whom an annual subsidy
of fifteen pounds sterling was allotted, to assist him whilst studying
at the University of Göttingen. The director of the university
boarding-house—the Alumneum—was then the above-named Professor
Eichhorn, and it was from this gentleman’s hands that Csoma used to
receive his modest stipend. In that manner, Csoma was brought into
nearer acquaintance with Eichhorn, and this doubtless had considerable
influence over the future career of the enthusiastic student.
Josef Szabó de Borgáta was a fellow-undergraduate of Körösi in
Göttingen, and the two students lived in intimate friendship with each
other. This gentleman is still alive (May 1884), and from him we learn
that they frequently interchanged ideas on their favourite subject. He
recollects that on one occasion Csoma declared before him, that he
longed to attain celebrity and renown.
In the course of this biography we shall repeatedly have occasion to
notice his striving after this worthy aim, but nowhere more pointedly
is it expressed, than in the lines we find jotted down, in his
manuscript Vocabulary already alluded to, where we read as follows:—
“Ardeo cupiditate incredibili, neque enim, ut ego arbitror, reprehendum
est, nomen ut nostrum illustretur atque celebretur literis Tuis.
“A viro laudato laudari pulchrum est,” &c.
We can never hope to discover what particular incident suggested the
above characteristic quotation; it seems to refer to circumstances
which occurred in later years of his life, and it is probable that a
correspondence with Wilson, Rémusat, or Klaproth, may have furnished
the occasion.
The study of the English language Csoma began at Göttingen under
Professor Fiorillo. “On leaving the German University,” says Szabó, “I
made over to Körösi my English Grammar, Chatham’s Letters, and even my
hat, because his was getting rather worse for wear; but as he would
accept nothing gratis, I sold it to him for ten kreuzers.” What Szabó
tells us is an illustration of Csoma’s studious habits and his spirit
of independence.
This occurred in the summer of 1818. Towards the latter part of 1818,
Csoma returned from Germany to Transylvania. On the last Saturday of
that year he met his late master and faithful friend, Professor
Hegedüs, at Nagy Enyed. Here two appointments were waiting for
him,—one, a private tutorship in a nobleman’s family, and the other, a
professorial chair at the school of Sziget, to which he was appointed
by unanimity of votes. But he declined both.
On the 7th of February 1819, Csoma made known his final determination
to Professor Hegedüs, and at the same time informed him that he meant
to leave for Croatia, to learn first the Slavonic language. Hegedüs
tried in vain to dissuade him from this purpose, by placing before his
young friend, not only the promise of the useful services he would be
able to render to the cause of science and education in his native
country, but the sure prospect of obtaining a first-rate professorial
chair in the College, and securing for himself fame and reputation
similar to that which his own celebrated uncle had earned at Nagy Enyed
before him. “But when I saw,” says Hegedüs, “that he would not yield to
arguments, I placed before him the obstacles and inevitable dangers of
the intended journey.” “If I wished to start for London,” were the
Professor’s words, “I could do so with safety with a walking-stick in
my hand, and nobody would hurt me; but to travel in Central Asia is
hardly a problem for a single individual to solve. But when I noticed
that my remarks were displeasing to him, I ceased to bring forward any
further objections.” “I mention this,” says Hegedüs, “to show how
determined Csoma was in his purpose. Neither the alluring prospects at
home, nor the almost certain dangers of a long journey, nor friendly
remonstrances, were able to turn him aside from his path.” Seeing this,
his friends refrained from further disturbing him by their well-meant
objections. The friendly feelings, however, continued as before, and
they went so far on the part of Körösi as to ask the Professor, to
favour him with certain written instructions for the journey; but
Hegedüs’ answer was, that he needed them not, his knowledge being
already equal to that of his Teacher, on matters connected with Central
Asia, and when once those countries were reached by him, he would know
more than anybody else on the subject.
Csoma’s first plan was to travel viâ Odessa, and thence through Moscow,
where he might find a favourable opportunity to join a caravan for
Irkutsk, and from that place endeavour to reach the northern border of
China. With this view, therefore, he undertook, during the early spring
of 1819, a journey on foot to Agram, in Croatia, to study the Slavonic
language, and he remained several months there. For this Croatian
journey, Councillor Michael de Kenderessy gave Csoma one hundred
florins, and, as was mentioned already, promised the traveller a
similar sum every year, till he should return from Asia. Csoma’s
grateful heart never forgot this unsolicited help. Money was
subsequently raised for him by public subscription in Transylvania in
1836, but this he returned to found at Nagy Enyed a scholarship, which
to this day goes by the name of Kenderessy-Csoma Scholarship.
The circumstances of the farewell, Professor Hegedüs has minutely
recorded as follows:—“It was Sunday afternoon, that Csoma came to see
me saying, ‘Well, with God’s help, I am leaving to-morrow.’ The distant
time has not effaced from my memory that expression of joyful serenity
which shone from his eyes; it seemed like a beam of delight, which
pervaded his soul, seeing he was wending his steps towards a
long-desired goal. We spent some time in friendly conversation, and
drank our parting glass in some old tokaji. Next day, that is Monday,
he again stepped into my room, lightly clad, as if he intended merely
taking a walk. He did not even sit down, but said, ‘I merely wished to
see you once more.’ We then started along the Szentkirályi road, which
leads towards Nagy Szeben. Here, in the country—among the fields—we
parted for ever. I looked a long time after him, as he was approaching
the banks of the Maros, and feelings roused by the words, ‘Mentem
mortalia tangunt,’ filled my anxious heart.”
In the thirty-sixth year of his age, not in a fit of excitement, but
armed with the result of special scientific preparatory studies,
pursued over a period of ten years, Csoma entered on the memorable
journey of his life. He saw clearly his object, and knew what he meant
to attain. We may well say that Csoma belongs to the rank of those
noble minds who devote their lives unselfishly to a worthy, though
apparently thankless object, yet in the pursuit of which nothing but
death will stop their efforts. And if a pioneer on the unbeaten track
meets his fate, as Csoma did, before reaching the end of his arduous
path, what is due to him from posterity is the laurel wreath, and not
commiseration, for which a man of his stamp always entertains a noble
disdain.