Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-05-31

The following brief sketch OF the three SOW
ereigns of Europe, and chiefs in the present Eu-
ropean war, we copy from the Philadelphia
Press:
FRANCIS JOSEPH, EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA.
Francis Joseph Charles, Emperor of Austria,
was born August 18th, 1880. His uncle, Ferdi
nand l., abdicated on December 2, 1S49, and
this Young gentleman assembled the throne as
next heir. The young Emperor commenced his
reign by issuing proclamation to his subjects,
full of promises. Under his rule, Austria was
to have freedom and constitutional govern
ment-the monarchy was to be reformed-tbe
people were to have equality of government on
the basis of true liberty, and on the basis OF their
equal participation in the representation and leg
isiation. Scarcely was his signature dry on this
document, when he closed the national repre-
sentative assembly which met at Kremsler; can
celled the ancient constitution OF Hungary, sub
stituting new charter, which, being a dead let.
ter. was withdrawn in eighteen months; called
on the aid of the late Emperor OF Russia to crush
all vitality Of Freedom in Hungary, and, under
Radetzky, suppressed all attempts at liberty in
Lombardy and Venice.
He made his ministers accountable, not to the
law. but personally to himself Some few con-
cessions he appeared to make to the masses. but
in Austrian Italy, his will is supreme, and In
Austria he has substituted his own personal
command for the wholesome restrictions OF the
law. He has maintained an immense army,
even in time of the greatest peace, at cost 80
vast that the national resources have been greatly
injured. Loan after loan, each at rulnous rates,
have kent Austria in difficulties, and under q
great weight of taxation: His latest financial
neasure. since the war with Sardinia commenc-
ed was to suspend the payment of specie by the
Rank of Austria, and to create fictitious money
hv the issue of assignats In 1854, he took part
with France and England against Russia. Ever
s;nce his accession to the throne he has treated
his Italian subjects with great tyranny. In their
discomfort they looked for aid to free Sardinia,
and the appeal, which has once more made
France a cornbatant on Italian soil, and will
probably drive the Austrians out of Italy, has to
he decided now by force of arms. Francis Jo-
seph is said to be well Informed, bold, scheming
and upscrupulous. In April, 1854, he was mar
ried to a Bavarian Princess. In the private re-
stions of life his conduct is said always to have
been highly moral and exemplary.
VICTOR EMMANUEL, KING OF SARDINIA.
Victor Emmanuel ii. was born March IA,
1920. His mother was an Austrian Princess
and his father was the late King, Cha rles Albert
Brought up under clerical instruction, Victor
Emmanuel, then bearing the title OF Duke OF
Savoy, went largely into society, bore COM
mission in the army and was well known as
keen lover of field sports. In ls42 he married
the Archduchess Adelaide, of Austria, since
dead. When the French Revelation OF ls4s
caused political commotion in Italy, the Pope
actually taking the lead as political regenera,
tor. King Charles Albert raised the banner OF
Piedmont and a few days after the Austrians
were driven out OF Milan, proclaimed the war OF
Italian independence. All through the campaign
which followed Victor Emmanuel spiritedly
fought by bis fathers side, and greatly distin-
puished himself on March "a, l849, in the battle
of Novara, when the Sandman army was de.
feated. That very evening Charles Albert abdi
Gated and Victor Emmanuel became King OF
Sardinia-whch kingdom really includes not
only the island of Sardinia, but also Piedmont
Savoy, the Lomelina and Genoa, all in Italy,
Charles Albert retired to Portugal, where be
died soon after.
Little was expected from Victor Emmanuel
His subjects rather distrusted him, and, for a
| time he had to encounter many internal difficult
ties. Austria offered him the Duchy of Parma,
if he would repudiate the Constitution, to which
he had sworn, with his father, in February, 1949
but he refused the bribe. Genoa proclaimed q
Provisional Government against him, but he
speedily put down the Eaeute. After the be-
ginning of 1850, when the Sandman Parliament
tardily ratified the peace with Austria, public
confidence began to rely on the wisdom, patriot
! ism and boldness of the King. He broke with
Rome, asserting the national independence of his
kingdom in temporal matters, and may be said
to have become Independent of the Papal See,
in spiritual matters also. In January, 1856, he
formed that alliance with France and England,
against Russia, which led to his sending Sar-
dinian army to the Crimea. At the close of the
war he visited France and England, and was
| warmly received in both countries. In the Con.
gress at Paris, to adjust the terms of peace after
the Crimean war, Austria strongly objected to
Sardinia being represented there by Minister.
This was overuled, on the ground that having
fought, Sardinia had earned the right to have a
voice in the terms of peace. Victor Emmanuel,
bold and dashing soldier, commands in person
during the present campaign.
LOUIS NAPOLEON, EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH.
Biographical particulars relating to Napoleon
III. are so well known by newspaper readers,
that it seems nearly superhuous to give any here.
Louis Napoleon, born at the Tuieries, in Paris,
April goth, lS0S was the second son OF Louis
Bonaparte, King of Holland, and Hortense Beau
harnais only daughter OF the Empress Josephine.
After the fall of Napoleon l., the Bonaparte fam
lily had to live out of France. Louis Napoleon,
with his elder brother and mother, lived in
Switzerland when the revolution of July placed
Louis Philippe on the throne of France. In the
following year, Louis Napoleon and his brother
went to Italy, where both took part in an nsur-
reetion at Rome. The brother died the same
year. From 1882 to 1886, Louis Napoleon, who
by the death Of his cousin, the King of Rome,
had become head of the Napoleon family, devo-
ted himself to study, and produced several
works, political and military. His Manuel sur
pArtilerie" has been highly spoken of by mill