The catastrophe at Szegedin appears to have been complete. The
waters have not retired, the foundations of the houses have been loosened by the saturation of the marsh, and of 9,700 houses and cottages, only 261 are left standing, a destruction which in its completeness is almost without a parallel. More than 60,000 people are homeless, and though the most contradictory statements are put forward as to the loss of life, the estimate of 4,000 is probably within the truth, hundreds perishing from cold and exposure:rather than by drowning. The Hungarian Ministry intend to drain off the water, and talk of surrounding the town with a circular dyke, a wretchedly clumsy expedient, which, as the river-floor rises, will fail, as shown by the immense experience of Lombardy and Bengal. What is wanted is an artificial channel to tap the river when it is too full, and relieve the pressure, which else will defeat any earthen dyke. There are two accounts of the behaviour of the people, who are accused of robbery and incendiarism ; but the Prime Minister distinctly informed Parliament that it had been admirable, and. all accounts testify to the resolution to rebuild at once.
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