^T. &8.] JOURNAL. 219 



see Baron Hiigel, and the extensive collection of living 

 plants he has collected during his travels. I think I 

 have not told you the cause of his long journeying. 

 He was, it appears, the accepted lover of an accom- 

 plished and beautiful lady of very good family here, 

 and their union was considered as a settled affair. 

 But unfortunately for poor Hiigel, Prince Metter- 

 nich looked upon the lady and determined to have her. 

 So he sent Hiigel upon some humbugging political 

 mission, to Paris I believe, and during his absence he 

 made his propositions to the father and mother, who 

 were not slow in discovering that Metternich, with aU 

 his riches and power, malgre his sixty-odd years, was 

 the fittest bridegroom ; and I am sorry to add that they 

 persuaded the daughter to the same opinion, though 

 she could have had little liking to the old fellow per- 

 sonally, and was said to be much attached to Hiigel. 

 The latter at length found out why he was sent to 

 Paris, and came back with all speed, but he was too 

 late. His intended became Princess Metternich, and 

 Hiigel set out to cure his disappointment or forget his 

 love by traveling in foreign lands. Metternich, being 

 glad to get rid of him, threw facilities in his way, and 

 being fond of plants he collected and sent home an 

 immense quantity for his garden. At the same time 

 he made extensive collections of dried specimens, etc., 

 which all reached Vienna safely. He spent nearly 

 all his fortune in traveling, and would have been in a 

 quandary, but the government, that is to say, Metter- 

 nich, bought all his collections of dried plants, ani- 

 mals, etc., for the Imperial Cabinet, giving for them 

 an immense price, some thirty times more than they 

 are worth, and so Hiigel is able to enlarge and embel- 

 lish his place, improve his garden, and build most 



