The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-04
A PAIR Of AUSTRIAN STATESMEN.


From Chambers Journal
A PAIR Of AUSTRIAN STATESMEN.
A work has recently been translated from
the German, forming part of series of vol.
umes, by the same author, entitled the History
OF Me German Courts since the Retormation
and 1t Is perhaps the most important and most
interesting portion of the work-certainly the
portion likely to have most attractions for the
English readers The authors STYLE of writing
is not remarkable for its elegance or brilliancy:
he Is no Macauay or Carlyle in the historical
composition; his work commands attention,
ana owes Its acceptabilhy to certain minute.
ness OF historic detail, and to a liberal adniix
ture OIL personal anecdote, such as would rarely
De presented by writer's who aspire to what is
called the dignity of history" DR.. Vehse.
indeed, altogether disclaims the pretensions
implied IN this imposing term. Quoting the
saying of Horace Walpole, he says: 81 am no
historian; L draw characters, preserve anec-
dotes, which my superiors, the historians, may
enchase INTO their weighty annals, or pass over
at their pleasure" The result of his research
es Is mass of facts and anecdotes, sufficiently
significant and curious to form more than
usually picturesque and entertaining compla-
ton.
One feature of these Memoirs, which we can
not but consider admirable, is their marked ap-
pearance of veracity. The author tells the
truth, so far as he knows it, without the slight
sest apprehension or misgiving-tells it. indeed.
WITH certain iAsouciallce and innocency of
manner which seems to indicate that he con-
ceived that was the sole thing required of him.
AS consequence of his simplicity, he has in
volved himself in difficulties; for, while his
books have been extremely popular in Germany,
ne himself has been exceedingly unpopular
with the ruling powers; most Of his volumes
have been prescribed by one or another of the
German States; and we learn from the news
papers that he Is now, or was lately, expiating
little extra carelessness or audacity, in rela-
ton to the Court of Wiirtemberg, by six
months Imprisonment.
The Court of Austria has not been remark
able for the talent or magnanimity of its repre-
sentatives. The rulers of this nation have had
fortune out Of all proportion to their merits.
Were it not proverbial that the world is govern
ed by very little wisdom, one would be surprised
at the number of imbecile and halfinsane per-
sons who have exercised despotic sway as mem
bers of the House of Hapsburg. With two or
three exceptions, they have all been foolish,
tyrannical, and bigoted in excess; but they
were all, or nearly all, extremely lucky in their
dynastic and political relations. No royal fam.
lily in Europe has been so highly favored by ac-
cident and circumstances. This is accounted
for, in part, though not entirely, by the circum-
stance, that most of the Austrian potentates,
through lucky accident or judicious choice, had
able generals and statesmen in their service,
who, using the power acquired by their talents,
gained or took upon themselves considerable
liberty OF action. 1t is not of such men, how
ever, as Wallenstein or Prince Eugene we wish
| to speak; we will rather turn to what may be
called the curosities Of the Austrian Court.
Prince Aobkowitz for instance, Prime Minister
for while under Leopold 7, is worth CHANGING
at, as member Of the class of officials who
have exercised great power in the country.
"Lobkowitz was fond of pleasure, and a
master of the art Of enjoying it, such as Vienna
had never seen before; but unfortunately he
was also slave, fettered by those chains of roses
which he forged for himself; women and money
brokers were said to have had the key to all his
secrets. Lobkowitz possessed neither virtue
nor greatness; but he possessed much gentle
mesa Of disposition and refined taste, which
gave him the superiority over all his country
men. His jovial, easy humor impaired to his
conversation singularly fascinating charm !;
the Emperor, who, notwithstanding his own
of the society of merry people and merry minis
tiers, was never happy without him. He was
full OF animal spirits and liveliness, tseming
with wit, and always ready with some pretty
6onnaot or other. happy knack of intrigue,
by means of which he understood how to push
affairs served him instead of confirmed habit
of business and industry. His keen wit turned
everything and everybody into ridicule; not
even sparing the Emperor of whom, with a
frankness bordering on the most thoughtless
indiscretion, he one day said to the Marquis de
Gremonville, the French ambassador: The
Emperor is not like your King, who does every
thing himself; but like a statue, which is car
ried about and placed or moved at conve-
nience.'
Lobkowitz always hated and opposed the
Jesuits, and did his utmost to circumvent their
schemes of policy. His keen wit had been d.
rected against them in all sorts of scurrilous
pamphlets and gross cancatures. The Empe
ror, on the other hand, weak and superstitious
devotee, rather favored them and they did not
fail to take advantage of his friendly disposition
According to DIR. Vehse "His treasury was
constantly at the very lowest ebb; but whilst
the troops, kept for months without their pay
often plundered their own masters provinces,
Leopold lavished his bounties on the Jesuits
with unsparing hand. Lobkowitz in several
instances prevented these foolish gifts, and even
had the courage to annul one of the most i'm
portant by tearing the title-deed in shreds,
which would have conferred on the order the
whole Of the rich county of Glatz, in Silesia.
Even his last will, which was execu-
ted in all legal form, and publicly read, bore
witness to the sarcastic humor with which he
loved to lash the Spanish priests Ihe intro,
ductiOn was oouched in terms OF the most pite-
GUS and humble contrition; after which, he
proceeded to bestow on the reverend fathers, as
token of the love he always bore to them, and
for the gladdening of their hearts, SO, 000-here
the page ended; when the reader turned the
leaf, he found bosrd-nails for a new build.
ing" Fancy the face Of Jesuit changing
from the flush of expectation to the glummest
expression of mortified discomposure, on hear
ing such bequest read forth in public
The fall of Lobkowitz as minister was sudden
and unanticipated. He was driving, at ten
o'clock in the morning, on the 18th Of October,
1874, to his usual audience with the Emperor,
when he was arrested by captain of the body
guard, and found himself unceremoniously de.
prived of all his dignities and honors. The
Imperial order was to the effect that Lobkowitz,
being dismissed from his offices and honors
should leave, within three days, the Court and
the Imperial Capital, and betake himself to his
estate of Raudnitz, in Bohemia, where he was
to remain in exile without ever absenting him.
self or corresponding with any one. The cause
of all this he should never ask to snow ii he
dared to disobey, he should forfeit his life and
all his property" During his reverse of for.
tune, his jovial spirits never failed him. ale
had at Rsudnitz a hall got no, ono half with
princely splendSy, End toe other half as miser-
able howell. In one halt, he lived and occupied
himself as beloved hia former splendid station
in the other, as was suited to his deep fall; and