Vámbéry Rusztem: Az élő múlt. Politikai téveszmék - társadalmi babonák (Budapest, 1931)
My dear Mr. Strassburger, You are a descendant of those Huguenot refugees who, on the strength of Professor Beard’s testimony, two centuries ago „made Philadelphia the most tolerant city on the Continent by promoting intellectual activity of a humane and realistic character.” Prompted by the traditions of this historical spirit you have broadened the range of activity of your ancestors through the practical encouragement of a better understanding between the United States and Europe. Your foundations at Paris and Berlin, your Historical Prize for Hungary, your assiduous and unswerving efforts to heal the mental wounds, caused by the War, bear evidence of your profound comprehension of Renans maxim: les v r ai s h о m m e s d и p г о gr e s iont с e их, qui ont le respect pour le passé. This book of mine, entitled: The Living Past which I venture to dedicate to you in admiration of your work and as a token of my sincere gratitude for the friendship you have so kindly bestowed upon me, is far from a disavowal of the high value of History. At the same time my argument points to the disastrous influence which subconscious survivals of bygone times exert on our current notions of moral, political and social life. These invisible spectres of the human mind are chiefly responsible for the reactionary spirit that unfortunately prevails nowadays in certain parts of Europe. By helping to dispell prejudice, bias and misapprehension, these deep-seated roots of all