eigned from China to the Volga. The Pannonian colony preserved a
correspondence of trade and amity with the eastern Turks on the confines
of Persia and after a separation of three hundred and fifty years, the
missionaries of the king of Hungary discovered and visited their ancient
country near the banks of the Volga. They were hospitably entertained
by a people of Pagans and Savages who still bore the name of Hungarians;
conversed in their native tongue, recollected a tradition of their
long-lost brethren, and listened with amazement to the marvellous tale
of their new kingdom and religion. The zeal of conversion was animated
by the interest of consanguinity; and one of the greatest of
their princes had formed the generous, though fruitless, design of
replenishing the solitude of Pannonia by this domestic colony from the
heart of Tartary. [21] From this primitive country they were driven to
the West by the tide of war and emigration, by the weight of the more
distant tribes, who at the same time were fugitives and conquerors.
[2111] Reason or fortune directed their course towards the frontiers of
the Roman empire: they halted in the usual stations along the banks of
the great rivers; and in the territories of Moscow, Kiow, and Moldavia,
some vestiges have been discovered of their temporary residence. In
this long and various peregrination, they could not always escape the
dominion of the stronger; and the purity of their blood was improved or
sullied by the mixture of a foreign race: from a motive of compulsion,
or choice, several tribes of the Chazars were associated to the standard
of their ancient vassals; introduced the use of a second language; and
obtained by their superior renown the most honorable place in the front
of battle. The military force of the Turks and their allies marched in
seven equal and artificial divisions; each division was formed of thirty
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven warriors, and the proportion of
women, children, and servants, supposes and requires at least a million
of emigrants. Their public counsels were directed by seven vayvods,
or hereditary chiefs; but the experience of discord and weakness
recommended the more simple and vigorous administration of a single
person. The sceptre, which had been declined by the modest Lebedias,
was granted to the birth or merit of Almus and his son Arpad, and the
authority of the supreme khan of the Chazars confirmed the engagement of
the prince