The reopening of the Eastern Question, of which much is
said, might afford some hope to Austria, but not to the extent that is
supposed; for she is not strong enough at this time to be a powerful
ally of Russia as against Turkey, or of England in support of Turkey.
She has parted with her old importance; for there is no further hiding
from the world that her system is vicious, and that nothing could be
gained from an alliance with her, while any country with which she
should be associated would have to extend to her much support. She may
rise again, but how, or in what manner, it is not in any man's power to
say.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] The following is the epigram of Matthias Corvinus:--
"Bella gerant alii; tu felix nube!
Nam quae Mars aliis dat tibi regna Venus."
Which Mr. Sterling thus renders:--
"Fight those who will; let well-starred Austria wed,
And conquer kingdoms in the marriage-bed."
Some other hand has given the following translation, or rather
amplification, of the epigram:--
"Glad Austria wins by Hymen's silken chain
What other states in doubtful battles gain,
And while fierce Mars enriches meaner lands,
Receives possessions from fair Venus' hands."
There would seem to be an end of these fortunate marriages, no member of
the Austrian imperial family being now in condition to wed to much
profit.
Pages:
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314