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The studies of the author of this work, for the last ten years,in writing the "History of Napoleon Bonaparte," and "The FrenchRevolution of 1789," have necessarily made him quite familiar withthe monarchies of Europe. He has met with so much that was strangeand romantic in their career, that he has been interested toundertake, as it were, a biography of the Monarchies ofContinental Europe—their birth, education, exploits, progressand present condition. He has commenced with Austria.
There are abundant materials for this work. The Life of Austriaembraces all that is wild and wonderful in history; her earlystruggles for aggrandizement—the fierce strife with theTurks, as wave after wave of Moslem invasion rolled up theDanube—the long conflicts and bloody persecutions of theReformation—the thirty years' religious war—themeteoric career of Gustavus Adolphus and Charles XII. shootingathwart the lurid storms of battle—the intrigues ofPopes—the enormous pride, power and encroachments of LouisXIV.—the warfare of the Spanish succession and the Polishdismemberment—all these events combine in a sublime tragedywhich fiction may in vain attempt to parallel.
It is affecting to observe in the history of Germany, throughwhat woes humanity has passed in attaining even its presentposition of civilization. It is to be hoped that the human familymay never again suffer what it has already endured. We shall beindeed insane if we do not gain some wisdom from the struggles andthe calamities of those who have gone before us. The narrative ofthe career of the Austrian Empire, must, by contrast, exciteemotions of gratitude in every American bosom. Our lines havefallen to us in pleasant places; we have a goodly heritage.
It is the author's intention soon to issue, as the second ofthis series, the History of the Empire of Russia.
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.
Brunswick, Maine, 1859.
CHAPTER I.
RHODOLPH OF HAPSBURG.
From 1232 to 1291.
Hawk's Castle.—Albert, Count of Hapsburg.—Rhodolphof Hapsburg.—His Marriage and Estates.—Excommunicationand its Results.—His Principles of Honor.—A Confederacyof Barons.—Their Route.—Rhodolph's Election as Emperorof Germany.—The Bishop's Warning.—Dissatisfaction atthe Result of the Election.—Advantages accruing fr