History of the House of Austria (Volume 4); From the Foundation of the Monarchy by Rhodolph of Hapsburgh, to the Death of Leopold, the Second 1218 to 1792 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1820. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER OIL 1742. Blockade of Prague--Distressed Situation of France--Overtures of Cardinal Fleury--Indignantly rejected by Maria Theresa --Attempts to relieve the French in Prague--Advance of Maillebois--Checked by Prince Charles--Masterly Retreat of Belleisle from Prague to Egra--Maria Theresa crowned Queen of Bohemia--Return of Belleisle, ivith the Remnant of the French Army, to France. THE joy and exultation of the court of Vienna at these successes were equalled only by the consternation and despair of cardinal Fleury. The aged minister, worn out with infirmities, seemed to sink even below his natural timidity; he was deeply affected by the internal distresses of the nation, the great scarcity of provisions, the increasing derangement of the finances, and the clamours of the people, who were irritated at the total defeat of those wild schemes of glory, with which the war had been commenced, and trembled at the dangers gathering on their own frontiers. He saw the king devoted to his pleasures, and governed by a violent and dissolute faction; he saw the troops under the duke d'Harcourt mouldering away on the marshy banks of the Danube; and that army which, in the preceding year, had given law to Germany, cooped up within the walls of Prague, a prey to disease and famine, and with little hopes of escaping from destruction, except by surrendering themselves prisoners of war. He saw his country deserted by Prussia and Saxony, and left without a single ally in Germany, except the new Emperor, who was stripped of his territories, and draining the exhausted coffers of France for his subsistence. He saw the hostile spirit of England pervading every part of Europe, and the House of Austria rising with fresh vigour from its late depression, and forming the center of a...