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STEPHEN SZECHENYI 157 prospect, the future of Hungary. Throughout the time of his literary activity, Széchenyi vigorously prosecuted his various schemes of reform. He commenced impor­ tant engineering works for improving the channels of the Danube and the Tisza, inaugurated a steamboat service, reconstructed the ancient road made by the Emperor Traj an, dug canal s to facilitate commerce, and did much to develop and beautify the young capital. Nothing escaped his attention, whether great political problems or the desirability of an omnibus service, the planting of trees in the public squares or the culture of th e. silk-worm . He went abroad to discover the best model for a bridge to unite Buda with Pest, and it was at his instigation that the handsome suspension bridge was built under the direction of an English engineer, Thomas Clark. By means of this bridge, Széch enyi achieved a great demo­ eratic reform. In the time of the pontoon bridge a glaring injustice was continually perpetrated. The poor peasa nts, to whom the toll was a serious burden, were c ompelled to pay it, while the burgesses and nobles, who wou ld not have felt it, were exempted. On the new bridge, however, a uniform toll of rather Iess than a balfpenny was levied upon ali. About 1840 Széchenyi's life became over-shadowed, and in time even his intellect became affected. His good luck and his popularity forsook him, while a new figure, that of Louis Kossuth, more and more filled the popular imagination. Széchenyi's ideal, the gradual growth in wealth and power of the commonwealth and the development of culture among the people,. came into conflict with the aims of a victorious democracy and its demand for i ndependence.