, 1860-01-27
Austrian Historieal stetebes.

Albert Veneesaus Eusebius Wallenstein, Duke
oi iMecklenburgh and Friedland, was born IN Bohe-
mia In 1888, and began as page to the MArgVave Of
burgAu, son Of the Archduke Ferdinand. After
having Travelled over nearly all Of Europe, he
married widow possessed Of immense riches,
who lett him q. widoWer at the end Of four
years. At the head Of formidable army raised
by him for the service Of the Emperor, and
pad nom his own resources, and from unlimited
plnnder, be for several years distinguished him.
sell BY bis successes in Bohemia, MoFayia, and
northern Germany, and was rewarded with the
apkedoms above mentioned His enemies at
length succeeded IN procuring bis dis srission.
and Ne retired to Prague, where he lived with all
the state Of sovereign. The progress Of Gus
tavus Adolphns Of Sweden compelled the Aus
TRAN Emperor, in 1889, to place Wallenstein
again IN command Of his forces, with almost re-
gal authority. He ioiled Gustayus at Nuremberg,
but was defeated At Leipsie. AT length he was
accused Of treason, and his commission was
revoked; and while he was meditating projects
Of oi,reyenge, be was assassinated. in l63L by
some Of his own officers Wallenstein's I'M
mense riches, his profound reserve aud theatrical
manners were the principal means be employed
10 exalt the imagination Of the masses. He a.
ways appeared in public surrounded BY extFaor-
alnary pomp, and allowed al those attached 70
ms house % share bis luxury. His officers lived
sumptuously at his table, whore never less than
one hundred dishes were served. Asheroward-
Cd with excessive hberality, not only the multi
tnde but the greatest personages were dazzled BY
this Asiatio splendor.l Six gates gave entrance
20 his palace at Prague, to make room for which
ne had Pntted dOCR one hundred houses SINH
lar chateaux were erected BY bis orders on Al his
numerous estatea Twenty.lour ehamberlains,
sprung from the most noble families disputed
the honor Of serving him, and some sent back
the golden key. emblem Of their grade, 10 the
hmperor, N order that they might wait on Wal.
lenstein. He educated sixty pages, dressed IN
blue velvet and gold, 70 whom be gave
the first masters; fifty tFabants guarded
his ante.chamber night and day, six barons
and the same number Of cbevaliers were con-
ltantly within cali to bear his orders. His mditrs
ahotsI lchief Of his hOusehOld) was a person, Of
distinction. A thousand persons usually formed
his household, and above one thousand horses
tilled his stables, where they fed from marble
managers. Wkenhe cot on Dis travels. / hundred
carriages drawn BY four or six horses, conveyed
his servants and baggage; sixty carriages and
ntty led horses carried the people Of his suite I;
ten rumpeters with silver bugles preceded The
procession. The richness Of bis liVeries, the
pomp Of his equipages, and the decoration Of his
apartments were in harmony with all the rest,
In ball Of his palace at Prague he had painted
In . triumphal car, with wreath Of hurels
round bis head, and star above him.
Wallenstein's appearance ives enough in itself
toinspire fear and respect His tall thin figure, his
naughty attitude, the stern expression Of bis pale
face, his wide forehead, that seemed formed 70
command, his black hair, close shOrn and harsh,
little dark eyes IN which the flame Of authority
shone, his naughty and suspicious look his
thick mustaches and tufted beard, produced, at
the hrst glance, astarting sensation. His usual
dress consisted Of justaucorps Of elk skin, cover
ed BY white doOblet and cloak; round his
neck no wore Spanish ruff in bis hat huttered
. large red plume, while scarlet pantaloous and
boots OF Cordovah leather, carefully padded on
account Of the gout, completed his ordinary at.
tire. While his army devoted itself 70 pleasure,
the deepest silence Teigned around the general
lie could not endure the rumbling Of carts, loud
conversation, or even simple sounds One Of his
ehamberlains was hanged for waking him with.
out orders and an officer secretly put TO death
because bis spurs clanked when be came 10 the
genera. His servants glided about the room Ike
Phan.oms, and adozen patrols necessarily moved
round bis tent or palace 10 maintain perpetual
tranquility. Chains were stretched across the
Streets, In order 10 guard him against any sound
Wallenstein was ever absorbed in himself ever
engaged with plans and designS lie vas never
seen 70 smile, and bis pride rendered him mac
eessible 20 sensual pleasure. His only hnatic.lm
vas ambition. This strange chief meditatcd
and acted ineessantly, only taking counsel Of
himself and disdAihiRg strange advice and in
spirations. When be gave any orders or expla-
nations, be could not bear 10 be looked At curl.
ously; when be crossed the camp, the soldiers