EUROPE AND HEIl DESPOTS. 307 



suddenly on the enraptured gaze. How singular has been the fate of 

 Vienna. In its beginning, the head-quarters of a Roman legion in 

 after times, the residence of petty German courts. At present, the 

 capital of a monarchy, and the head of the German confederation ; and 

 yet, little more than a century ago, the turbaned Turk pranced proudly 

 before her walls, thirsting for her destruction ; and the Arabian drome- 

 dary grazed in the valleys of the Danube, while the Tartar and Saphis 

 were skirmishing on the plains around, bounded by the circle of moun- 

 tains on the south bank of the Danube. I pictured in my imagination 

 the camp of the Turkish host. The splendid pavilions of Kara Musta- 

 pha his Pacha's the horse tails waving in the wind and all the 

 glorious pomp and circumstances of Eastern war. Methought I heard 

 the shrill cry of the Turkoman, the " Allah hu" of the haughty 

 Janissaries, as they beheld Sobieski and the chivalry of Poland, shouting 

 the war cry, " God for Poland," descending the mountain side like a 

 torrent, scattering before them the fierce and fantastic barbarian, and 

 carrying death and destruction through the Ottoman ranks. I almost 

 fancied I saw the Vizier, frantic with rage, displaying to the chosen 

 Janissaries, the standard of the prophet, and striving, by a desperate 

 charge, to restore the fortune of the day. On that eventful day, the des- 

 tinies of the Christian world rested on the point of the Polish lances. 

 But for the brave hearts that shed their blood in that conflict, the proud 

 Vienna, now the arbitress of nations, by whose dastardly consent, in 

 later times, the liberties, nay the very existence of her benefactors, have 

 been annihilated, would herself have been a degraded tributary her 

 children slaves ! 



Poland, in thy hour of need, ill has Europe discharged the sacred 

 debt she owed thee.! That gallant, gallant race, that has always stood 

 foremost in the ranks of Christendom, whose best blood has poured like 

 rain whenever honour or duty called, how hast thou been requited ! 

 Deserted in danger, and despoiled in adversity, thy bravery a reproach, 

 when not put forth for others that indomitable spirit which once saved 

 Europe, now made a plea for thy own destruction ! Poland has fallen . 

 but her brave sons are not yet exterminated, they may yet revenge 

 themselves on their oppressors ! 



A few days after my arrival, the garrison was reviewed by the Arch- 

 duke Charles, which afiforded me an opportunity of observing the Aus- 

 trian troops en masse. The Archduke came on the ground attended by 

 a numerous staff; the troops manoeuvred with the utmost precision and 

 celerity. The marching of the Hungarian grenadiers, was, to a military 

 eye, almost godlike. They presented a combination of gigantic stature, 

 manly beauty, and martial character, that I have never seen surpassed. 

 Their white uniform, and pantaloon cf pale blue, is both soldier-like 

 and becoming. The cuirassiers were superbly mounted, and their 

 appointments were in a style of corresponding excellence ; for a match- 

 less union of size, strength, and activity, this heavy cavalry, with the 

 exception of our household troops, are unrivalled. The appearance of 

 the Hungarian hussars disappointed me their appointments were 

 shabby and in bad order, but the men rode beautifully, and looked fierce, 

 and ready for the melee. I did not see the Hungarian gardes-du-corps, 

 which I was told were the most brilliant in Europe. The Archduke 

 Charles is a fine military-looking man ; he has the thick, haughty lip 

 that distinguishes the House of Hapsburg, and the bivouac had left its 



