The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-08
Recent Publ cations.

Memoirs of Prince Metternich. Edited by
| Prince Richard Metternich. Translated by
| Mrs Alexander Napier (New York: Harpers;
| Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony The
| reader of this remarkable volume will find not
| only that he is confirmed in high regard for
| the personal character and great statesman
ship of Prince Metternich, but that his politi-
| cal ideals and especially his understanding OF
| the affairs of monarchical nations are sensibly
| enlarged. The period covered by the memoirs
| (1773-1S15) was one of the greatest moment in
settling the balance of power in Europe and
| during this time Metternich had the best of
reasons for not writing history. that he was
making it, 1t was, therefore, left for his son to
| collect and arrange the papers left by the IL
| lustrious father; and, filling In gaps OF the
narrative from State archives placed at his dis
| posal, to complete full and vigorous picture.
| Prince Metternich was admirably fitted by
natural gifts for the great part he was to play
Wise and far seeing, quick and apt in the fine
points of diplomacy, steady and not to be
thrown from his just poise by excitement or
circumstance was man ready to direct
political events with master-hand. His
commentaries upon political science illustrated
by special action and correspondence fitted to
occasions as they arose for him to encounter,
are exceedingly instructive.
The two volumes which compri SO the me-
moir are iudiciously arranged so that events
and topics are grouped in an effective and in
| telligible fashion
| Prince Metternich was born at Coblentz in
| 1773, and received liberal and elegant train
| ing under various masters, some of whom were
prominent in political circles. His fencing
master was M .Fustel, who also taught Napc-
leon, and who later expressed hope that his
two distinguished pupils might "not take it
into their heads to come to blows
with each other, At the early age of
seventeen Prince Metternich was appointed
master OF ceremonies at the coronation OF the
Emperor Leopold; and two years later per-
formed the same courtly duties for the Emper-
or Francis. He was constantly placed where
he had opportunities to study practical politics
and was in the midst of diplomatic circles
while he gratifed his natural tastes for learning
and science without having any desire at that
time to take an active part in politics. A Sc
we're and pure devotion to truth gave him to
see the faults of management which occurred
in the course of public affairs, while the suita-
BILE difidence of very young man withheld
him from unfavorable comment upon the per-
sonages whose action he could not approve.
Already the moderation, directness and integ-
rity of his ripe career showed themselves in
promising bud.
In 1901, at the desire of the Emperor, who
had frequently wished to lead Prince Meter
mich into public affairs, he took the Dresden
embassy, with the determination, as he re-
cords, to be useful and thorough diplomatist
and with remarkable sense of the dignity, re-
sponsibility and independence required in poll
tics. His observations ON the nature of politics
are, If not precisely novel, profound and clear
ly formulated upon basis of truth and hu-
manity. His conscience and theories were op-
posed to the cunning and selfish policies of the
prevalent political types of his time; and he re-
cords his resolve to retire from public service
at the moment when he might no longer be
able to reconcile expediency with right. This
early formed Political idea was that to which
Prince Metternich steadily adhered; and his
brilliant career is founded upon this solid basis
of accountability to political conscience.
In the rich mass of recollections
which make up the memoir we ind
continual interest and information. 1t
is particularly noteworthy that the dazzling
course of Napoleon, q great comet in the heav-
en- of history, did not at all bewilder the eye
and Judgment of Prince Metternich. Indeed
the statesman not seldom encountered the
emperor with marked success; and observed
his methods of diplomatic warfare with cool and
critical temper. In Prince Metternich's opin-
ion, Napoleon touched the zenith of his fame
at Jena and the prince further observes that,
had the conqueror's ambition limited itself to
the weakening of Prussia, annexing it to the
Rhine Confederation instead of destroying it,
his power would have been enlarged and Sc
cured; but that the hard terms of the peace of
Tilsit were strained till peace was broken.
The chronicle Of Prince Metternich's embas-
sy at the French court is full of anecdote and
history In 1909, the Emperor Francis gave to
Prince Metternich the portfolio of Foreign
Affairs resigned by Count Stadion; and from
this time forth he conducted the international
relations of Austria with strong hand. His
sketches of famous contemporaries, his COM
ments upon public affairs and incidental notes
upon the society and literature of the time are
most valuable. He wrote upon the Eastern
au estion and upon the French Intervention In
Spain with the same illuminated and humane
iud.yment that he applied to the politics OF his
own nation.
It hss seemed proper to dilate in the limits OF
brief review, not SO much upon the history Oh
Prince Edetternich's career-a subject too am
pie and involving too many topics for such no
tice-as upon the significance Of his political
morality and the steadfast and practical expo
sition of his convictions. The course and aim
of the great statesman are best expressed in his
own words
envy life was full OF action in time OF rap
idly moving events This narrative shows
that from my EARLIEST youth to the thirty-sixth
year OF laborious ministry, when l write
these lines, have not lived one hour to my
self. / acknowledge, therefore, the
right and the duty to point out to my descend
ants the course by which alone the consclen-
tious man can withstand the storms OF time.
This course have indicated by the motto 1
have chosen as the symbol of my conviction
for myself and my descendants: True strength
lies in Right save this all is transitory."
Messrs. Ig. Kohler & Co. OF Phlladelpnia
publish a series of pamphlet volumes contain
ing the compl etc works of Schiller In the Trans
lations by Cole. idge, Bulwer, Theodore Mar
tin and others. The work is also to be mad IN
various degrees Of elegance Of binding. Fifty
six illustrations said to be by the best German
artists do small credit to designers and engrav-
ers; but in ether wayst he mechanical e4ecu,
tion of the work is very Goa. Inc eui'or y
these volumes, DR.. Charles - hempei' oon-
tributes biographical sketch OF Schiller some
comments and notes, and also se'me 'i"i,Sie. :.
tions. The work includes ey cry 1ains 'Ho.
Schiller ever published, with Il 70 excel '''I
his translations from other langu' sges' Oh A-o-
q re-translation would be useless.
German without Grammar or dictionary.
BY DR.. Eur Briicke, (Chicago: s. Q. Griggs g
Co.; Portland Loring, Short & HARMONY is a
reasonable and exceedingly attractive manual
of the German language 1t is for.ued upon