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Editorial Review Product Description
PAST 8 PRESENT By E. J. HARRISON Formerly British Vice-Consul at Kaunas and Vilnius T, FISHER UNWIN LTD LONDON ADELPHI TERRACE First published vn 1922 All wghts reserved Great Britain Sy UNWIN BROTHERS, JJMITED, THE QRESHAM PI SS, X QMBON AND WOKINQ MEMBERS OF 0 HE BEITTSH CONSULATE AT KAUNAS. PREFACE IN the following pages I have not attempted to do more than scratch the surface of a subject which, for adequate treatment, would require several large volumes. My main purpose is to arouse interest among English readers in a country and people whose glorious past and present renascence, under peculiarly moving conditions, are surely an earnest of great future achievement in all constructive activities. To this end I have tried to give a general outline of Lithuanian history, geography, economic position and possibilities, present-day political problems, cultural characteristics, etc., so that Britishers may no longer be able to plead ignorance as an excuse for their unfortunately apathetic attitude towards the legitimate aspirations of the Lithuanian people. Should the reception accorded this modest preliminary essay warrant it, I shall gladly hereafter embark upon a more exhaustive and ambitious handling of this fascinating subject. For much of the material embodied in this book I am indebted principally to Stasys Salkauskis masterly study Sur le Confins de Deu Mondes, W. St. Vidunas La Lituanie dans le Pa et dans le Prdsent, and Dr. Joseph Ehrets Litauen which have rendered readily accessible many facts which otherwise might have eluded com pilation. I make no apology for largely employing the Lithu anian spelling of place names. The sooner we adapt 6 PREFACE ourselves to changed conditions the better. But for the readers convenience, I have appended a short glossary giving the former Russian and present Lithuanian renderings of these centres. A hint on pronunciation. The Lithuanian c is pro nounced like our ch in church the s like sh in shall and the z like z in azure. AUTHORS CLUB, WHITEHALL COURT, LONDON, S. W. 1. March BO, 1922. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE 5 GLOSSARY 13 OHAPTBB I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 15 English Ignorance of Lithuania Lithuanias Former Great ness Chaucers Reference to the Country Early Com mercial Treaty with England Fatal Association with Poland The Great War and German Designs Proclama tion of Independence Polish Occupation of Vilnius Lithuanian Retreat to Kaunas Refusal of de jwre Recogni tion by the Allies. II. A TOPOGRAPHICAL OUTLINE .... 20 Historic and Ethnographic Lithuania Area and Population Vilnius, the National Capital Testimony of Early Chroniclers Other Provinces and Cities Palanga on the Baltic Coast Prussian Lithuania or Lithuania Minor The Port of Memel Configuration of the Land Hills, Lakes and Rivers Nature of Soil. III. THE RISE OF LITHUANIA 37 The Lithuanian People not of Slavonic Origin Lithuanian Language one of the Oldest in Europe Allied to Sanscrit Aestians or Baits Claim to Grecian Ancestry The Early Grand Dukes Struggles with the Teutonic Order Pros perity of the Country under Gediminas, Keistutis and Vytautas the Great Extension of Frontiers from the Baltic to the Black Sea Beginnings of Polish Influence Personal Union with Poland under Jagellon Wars with the Tartars Lublin Union with Poland in 1569 Partition of Lithuania and Poland at End of XVIIIth Century. IV. PERIOD OF DECADENCE 49 The Reformation and LithuaniaCorruption of Catholic Priesthood and Lithuanian Nobility Oppression of the Peasantry Missionaries of New Doctrines Nicolai Radvila, the Black--Re - introduction of Catholicism Polonization of Upper Classes Internecine Strife Extinction of Inde pendence. V... ... Read more |
