The Family of Prince Sahn-tSalm. 27 



The Salms belong to one of the oldest dynastic families of 

 Germany. Of its many branches that of Salm-Salm is the 

 principal line. 



The father of the Prince was a very kind and excellent man, 

 whose memory is still blessed by his former subjects. He was 

 also a very indulgent father, and as Felix was rather his favour- 

 ite son he was always very generous to him, and perhaps too 

 lenient. Being rich, he supplied him always with ample means, 

 and the consequence was that the young Prince became rathe: 

 extravagant in his habits, never learning the value of money. 



Still very young, Prince Felix was made an officer, and served 

 in the cavalry. In the Holstein war he distinguished himself 

 by his bravery, especially in the battle of Aarhuis, where he 

 was left with seven wounds on the battle-field, and made in 

 that state a prisoner by the Danes. The King of Prujsia re- 

 warded his bravery by sending him a sword of honour, which 

 distinction he rated higher than any other he received after- 

 wards. 



The family of Salm-Salm are Catholics, and though they 

 have become subjects oi the Crown of Prussia, they, like other 

 Catholic princely families or those parts, observe the practice 

 of sending their members not only to the Prussian but also the 

 Austrian army. 



Though his gracious Majesty, the prc^^ent Emperor of Ger- 

 many, kindly tried to dissuade Prince Felix Irom taking such a 

 step, other influences unfortunately prevailed ; he resigned his 

 place in the Prussian army, and entered that of Austria. 



The old Prince zu Salm-Salm died, and his eldest son 

 Alfred, the present reigning prince, became his successor. 

 Prince Felix was handsomely provided for, but being very 

 young and improvident, he lived in Vienna in an extravagant 

 manner, which very soon exhausted his means, and delivered 

 him over to the tender mercy of sharpers and money lenders, 

 who always are very eager to oblige young reckless and thought- 

 less noblemen belonging to families reputed as rich. Not used 

 to penury, the Prince, accustomed to satisiy all his wishes, 

 signed every paper laid before him, even without reading it, if 

 he only got some money ; and he told me that he not rarely 

 accepted bills to a large amount which were presented and 

 paid, though he had never received a penny for them. 



