He was absent and so was not able to prevent the Bourbon solution proposed by Talleyrand , Castlereagh and Alexander 6 April, In Vienna he hosted the Congress there, which after a brief interruption of activities during the Hundred Days, opted finally for a preservation of the international status quo through balance of power, and he is generally regarded, along with British foreign minister Castlereagh, as the architect of the lasting peace agreement that emerged from the Congress of Vienna.
Metternich played one final role in the downfall of the Bonaparte family by overseeing the detention of the Duc de Reichstadt Napoleon's son. He is even said to forbidden his wintering in Naples which could possibly have cured the fatal tuberculosis. The duke died in Metternich was Austrian Foreign Minister and arbiter of European continental politics until the Revolution of March in Vienna in , when he was forced into exile in London and then Brussels.
He was allowed to return to Austrian capital in , and he died there on 11 June at the age of 86, his death it is said hastened by hearing the news of the Austrian defeat at Magenta 4 June, Prince Metternich married three time. Eleonore Kaunitz, his first wife, died in of pthisis.
Two of their daughters and their eldest son, Victor, had died of the same disease. He married his second wife, Antoinette de Leykam, in and she died of complications following the birth of their son, Richard , two years later January The eight volumes of Metternich's memoirs were edited and published by his son Richard Paris: Plon who was also Austrian ambassador to Napoleon III See all related overviews in Oxford Reference ».
Austrian statesman. As Foreign Minister —48 , he was one of the organizers of the Congress of Vienna —15 , which devised the settlement of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. He pursued policies that reflected his reactionary conservatism at home and abroad until forced to resign during the revolutions of View all related items in Oxford Reference ».
Search for: 'Prince Metternich' in Oxford Reference ». All Rights Reserved. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a PDF of a single entry from a reference work in OR for personal use for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice. Oxford Reference. The Dictator wishes to introduce order where there is only room for ungoverned violence. Revolution is in- compatible with order and moderation. From Cracow there is no news; thus, on the long line from Warsaw to Cracow nothing is to be seen but peaceful levies of troops or men joining the colours.
This stamps the outbreak and its consequences as a political war. Count Lobkowitz pledges his word there will be no outbreak in Galicia. No hostile bands will penetrate into your Majesty's territory. This is an unavoidable error on the Dictator's part, but it is none the less to our advantage. Orders have been given to carry out the Governor's wishes in every respect; your Majesty has therefore done all that was incumbent on you.
Of the probability of the Lithuanian army remaining loyal Count Lobkowitz can form no opinion. The fact of the Grand Duke having thrown himself upon its pro- tection seems to me, at any rate, to prove that he must count upon its fidelity. Affairs in Poland begin to be more intelligible than they could possibly be during the first moments of the outbreak.
Every day and every fresh fact goes to prove that the rising of the 29th November was the attempt of a mob of students and the cadets of the Military School, and that the insurrection Avould never have degenerated into a revolution had measures, which the fidelity of the troops rendered not only possible but easy, been taken at the right moment.
Much of the blame seems to lie at the door of the Grand Duke, whom public opinion censures as having failed in resolution. The condition and organisation of the kingdom of Poland have, on their part, quickly and inevitably reduced the revolution to a mere political question, a quarrel to be fought out between Poland and Russia.
It has thus become a matter of necessity for patriotic enthusiasm seriously to estimate the relative strength of the two contending parties. The Russian provinces once belonging to Poland not having joined the revolt, the result of this numerical calculation is not in favour of the insurgent kingdom. Lithuania, Yolhynia, Galicia, and the Grand Duchy of Posen not only continue to enjoy perfect tranquillity, but, up to this moment, not a single insurrectionary symptom has appeared.
It was not till the evening of December 7 that the Emperor of Russia received the first tidings of the out- break at Warsaw. As our official reports do not go beyond that date, we take from a private letter, emanat-. On the 8th December, St. George's Day, the Emperor Nicholas personally communicated the tidings of the outbreak at Warsaw to his army, making use of the following terms :. Shall we permit this? I rely on you, on your patriotism. You may trust in me! The Emperor Alexander declared that he would not lay down his arms so long as an enemy remained in the country, and the nation kept the pledge.
I declare that I will not sheathe my sword so long as this blood remains unavenged. Peace to those who wish peace ; death to rebels and assassins! The first troops despatched towards the western frontiers of the Empire, in pursuance of previous dis- positions, exceed a hundred and fifty thousand men.
They are distributed in six corps, and are in a con- dition to undertake operations against the kingdom of Poland before the loth January. The Emperor lias apparently given orders that the army should be reinforced by nearly a hundred thousand men.
We may therefore look for great events in that quarter during the next month. One or other of two alternatives must take place; either the leaders of the revolution leaders who have been improvised, like the revolution itself will throw themselves on the monarch's generosity, or Poland will be exposed to the horrors of war. There is the third alternative of the revolution spreading, but in the present posture of affairs this appears the least probable of all.
The courier despatched by Count Ficquel- mont on the 14th instant, and to whom you entrusted your letter of the 21st, arrived here in the course of last night.
This is the first news which has come direct from St. Petersburg subsequent to the Polish revolu- tion. The moral attitude of the Emperor Nicholas appears to us to be excellent. To unite unshaken firmness with wisdom in the choice of measures and vigour in carrying them out, is all that should or could be demanded of the monarch and the man. The justice of the cause which his Imperial Majesty is called upon to defend is patent ; the most audacious theories could not vindicate what has recently occurred in Poland, and the thesis that insurrection is the most sacred of duties not as yet forming part of the code of civilisation, except with those who have already employed that fictitious prin- ciple, or those who seek to make capital out of it, a moral force of very decided character ought, in so flagrant a case as the present, to come to the support of the material force which the Emperor will be enabled to employ for the maintenance of his just rights.
The news that reaches us from Warsaw and Cracow tends to prove to us that the opinion which the Cabinet of Berlin is. We take the same view of things as they do in Prussia. The kingdom of Poland, from its first creation, has appeared to us neither more nor less than a powder- magazine. A spark must have reached it sooner or later ; therefore, when we heard of the explosion, the one feeling we did not experience was that of surprise. During the first moments we were in uncertainty as to the exact nature of the occurrence.
Each day and each fresh fact shows us more clearly that the fruit has been plucked before it was ripe. I have been in too many and various relations with him not to be able to form some estimate of his character ; an estimate, as it seems to me, justified by the events of his life.
Louis Philippe, with many undeniable good qualities, had faults which were not counteracted by his education. On the contrary, they were stimulated and developed by those whose special task it should have been to with- draw the children of Philippe Egalite from the influence, never wholly obliterated, which the example of their father and the anomalous condition of France at that time, could not fail to exercise upon them.
This prince had inherited, together with the name of Orleans, that captious spirit of opposition to the reigning branch of the House of Bourbon, which during the last century distinguished the Orleans family. As he was born in , the same coternporary influences affected us both; nor was there a single incident of his life that escaped my notice. I was in correspondence with him when he wished to enter the Imperial army in , in order to fight against Napoleon. Marriage and honeymoon.
Reception by the Emperor. Insurrections in Italy. Birthday of the Emperor. Home topics. News from France and Italy. Apprehensions of war. Conversation with Maison. Affairs in the Papal States. France and Turkey. Dwernicki's infringement of neutrality. The Prince's birth- day. The Prince's memoirs. Physical sufferings. Domestic happiness. The Prince's revenge. Devotional exercises. Critical days. At Baden. Gentz and the Prince's memoirs. Blowing babbles.
Projected removal to Baden. Despatch for the King of Prussia. Louis Philippe's speech from the throne. January 30, my wedding-day. I began the day by confessing to Father Schmitt ; after- wards we all received the communion with my father in the Schottencapelle.
Clement came in the morning and brought me my diamonds, which are charming and beautifully set. We dined at Clement's at six with Adela and Wilhelm Taxis, after which I dressed, putting on the lace-trimmed dress, diamonds, veil, and myrtle- flowers, which Aunt Lichnowsky sent me from Graz.
This attention touched me deeply. A number of people had come to see me. I begged my parents for their blessing, and then we proceeded to the Xuncio's. There were more than ninety persons. The Nuncio, who married us, delivered a very fine discourse. The ceremony did not last too long ; in short, everything went off as well as could be.
I did my best to make a good impression on all, and everyone was most kind to me. We supped enfamille; afterwards mamma accompanied me to my new house. God grant me all I require to make him happy! February 1. He spoke much of Clement, begged me to make him happy, and naturally bestowed great praise on him, saying repeatedly, ' He forgives all his enemies and never cherishes any ill-feeling against them.
February 5. We went to a musical entertainment at Louis Szechenyi's house. Young Thalberg, the adopted son, as it is called, of Prince Dietrichstein, played the clavier. He has incredible talent, a most pleasing execution and wonderful readiness. Louis Szechenyi ended with short German songs, which greatly delighted Leontine. February Clement was awoke by half-a-dozen couriers, who brought bad news from Italy.
Ferrara and Bologna are already in open revolt. Clam came to breakfast ; he had just arrived from Italy, where he had passed through Mantua, and seen the Duke. The latter was fully resolved to defend himself and hold his own.
I put forth my best endeavours to do honour to my reputation as a good wife, but did not altogether succeed to my own satisfaction. The Nuncio drank to the health of our good Emperor, who was waited on by a deputation of the townspeople this morning, asking permission to play beneath his windows, and to pass in procession through the city shouting vivat, in order that they might see him.
The Emperor replied that he could not permit this to take place in the city, as no regiment had a similar privilege ; but that if they would station themselves at St. Stephen's Square, he would drive thither in his carriage. The shouts that greeted him were as hearty as they were unanimous. To-day I breakfasted alone with Clement for the first time since my marriage. He spoke much on business, and initiated me into all his views and plans.
I was astounded at my excessive ignorance. I should like to get to understand him at the first word, to be of use to him in every way, to follow his discus- sions, and be able to enter into them myself; in a word, I should like to be more than merely a loving wife, which is certainly a far too easy task.
Gentz interrupted our conversation. March 2. Clement told me he was satisfied with the news from Paris, as the Ministry had admitted, in answer to his last important despatch, that it was quite permissible for Austria to interfere in the affairs of Italy, and not give in to the false principle of non-intervention ; a sure proof that France, so far from desiring war, dreads it.
This news did not come to him officially, but he is very pleased at it. In the evening he talked in the most interesting manner over the events of the day, and continued the conversation when we were alone. What a wonderful man he is! God preserve him to me and to the world! March Gentz and Clement are more than ever disturbed at what is going on in the world.
I delight in hearing them talk together, for the former, w r ith all his whims, has a fund of wit, which is never at a loss. In England, things seem to be going rather badly ; and the worst of it is that my poor Clement, after having been at the utmost pains to devise a plan embracing the only means of safety open to us, finds no one to support him, but is thwarted at every turn.
I dined at home with General Mazzu- chelli, who was very entertaining. He is uncommonly droll, and of an excitable, amiable disposition. He spoke earnestly about Italy, whence he has just come. According to him the Piedmontese army is not to be trusted, and I am quite of the same opinion.
I found Clement sad and thoughtful ; things iii France give him great anxiety, and he anticipates war. I cannot tell how it is, but in the depth of my heart I do not feel any anxiety ; I feel God will have pity on us. The conversation this evening turned on battles, and the various effects produced by cannon-balls.
This discussion was hardly calculated to impress the mind with the prospect of a peaceful future. April 2. Maison had a long conversation with Clement. He admits to the full our superiority at the present moment, and laments the follies which have. His own wish is they should give up their warlike projects there, but he believes there is no real likelihood of it.
He has as yet received no formal despatches from Paris, but expects them at any moment. They are sure to contain threats for us, should we fail to respond to the proposal at once to withdraw our troops from the Papal States, and, in concert with France, guarantee the freedom and tran- quillity of the Pope. Things once set in order in Italy, and the Pope reinstated in all his rights, our presence there is no longer needful, and we should only conflict w r ith France in the event of her making common cause with a new revolution in Italy.
In this way, and with God's blessing on my husband's wise and honest plans, we shall obtain a peace which will assure his fame for all time, for it required more than wisdom to attain this end.
April 4. We have good news. By a despatch from Paris, Clement learns that even before the receipt of our last despatches, the Ministry were taking lower ground, and seeking to allay the irritation which they feared might have been aroused on our part by their arrogant tone. At any rate I have the satisfaction of perceiving clearly that we imbue them with proper respect, and that they are decidedly moderating then' pretensions.
Our position is a splendid one, while they stand ex- posed on every side and in the eyes of all Europe. April I was with Clement for an hour, and read some papers out to him. Among them were some im- portant despatches from Constantinople. They announce that France has declared to Turkey her intention of making war upon Russia and Austria, and her expecta- tion that the Porte will place itself entirely on her side and declare war immediately against both Powers.
Turks, however, are cunning 1 , and replied that they were accustomed to look upon such intimations from French Ambassadors as exaggerations. Their reputation seems made. Clement received a gracious note from the Emperor, conferring on him the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Stephen, set in diamonds, for the successful termination of affairs in Italy. This mark of recognition gives him little pleasure, since, as he says, it will be looked upon with disapproval by so many.
My breakfast-hour passed in the most agreeable manner. Clement and Gentz discussed the mistakes that were made when Stadion, Cobenzl and Colloredo had the management of affairs. The poison of the Revolution was even then spreading among us. All Clement said was of. He told me, however, that all these facts were mentioned in his memoirs, which would shortly be put into my hands.
If one could only find time to talk with him! After mass I went into the garden to prepare for a festivity for Clement on the 15th. Two pieces have been chosen, and the players appointed. They want me to take one of the parts, and I will do so if I can. The theatre is in the garden ; the place is excellently adapted for a small festivity. God grant that everything go well and give him pleasure!
I shall have music in short, everything that may ensure him a cheerful evening. May G. Clement was with me a moment to say that Dwernicki had laid doAvn his arms ; while fighting with the Russians he had passed over into our territory. He and his Poles and five thousand Russians with them were disarmed at the same time, and remained under. The Russians were sent back over the frontier ; it is now, however, thought that this affair will soon be over. May This evening I had a really ridiculous number of people.
I give no names, for the whole town was there, so that I realty felt quite confused. They brought Clement congratulations for his birthday to- morrow. I had stupidly forgotten to order a supper, which had at least this advantage, that all the guests went away very early.
All my festive plans and surprises for Clement vanished into air. I had nothing for him but simple congratulations, though indeed they came straight from a loving heart. But he made me feel, with the most touching kindness, that he needed nothing beyond myself to make him happy. Clement was seized with the idea of going to the Leopold stadt theatre to see Schuster.
We enjoyed ourselves very much, and after returning home had very few visitors, and none of those troublesome ones, so that Clement felt in the humour to talk on all kinds of subjects.
He spoke much of Napoleon, and the three interviews he had with him, each of which lasted seven hours. He also returned to the subject of his memoirs, which he wishes one day to give to the world. He has, he declares, entrusted their revision to Gentz, who, how- ever, has always shown an unwillingness to undertake the task. It is absolutely needful that I should myself take up the work with zeal and interest, and, should it be needful, induce Gentz to assist me.
I beg him to give me another physician, if he will only cease to torment himself, for that is what really makes life unhappy. Marenzellei' is much inclined to think I may be in an interesting condition, and this opinion, indefinite as it is, gives me patience to wait and to take as much care of myself as possible.
May God listen to my wishes and prayers, more particularly as this will complete Clement's happiness and give me a fresh claim on his love! June 6. This morning I saw my family ; afterwards Richard came to me. Clement also came and had a long talk with me, kind and thoughtful as usual. He cannot pass a moment with me without speaking of serious things, of the business with which he is occupied in a word, of everything that interests him so deeply, and his confidence touches me.
In the evening came the Princess Kaunitz and a few gentlemen, among whom was Marmont. He had a long conversation with Clement about the fortifications and towers of Linz. I found I could not do better than go to bed, and was very much astonished to see Clement come up so late. He kept from me that he had had a severe fright, and that little Richard had been attacked by croup. June A young Frenchman, editor of the Journal des Debate has arrived here.
He is a bitter opponent of my husband and of his policy. Clement invited him at once to dinner ; that is so like his way of revenging himself! I confessed to Father Schmitt, who ad- ministered the communion to me at his own house, as he considered the weather too bad to permit of my going to the church. He had a long talk with me ; he is so. I felt constrained to this exercise of devotion, because I wished to offer up my thanks to God for the new bless- ing He vouchsafes me. Clement was waiting for me at home ; we breakfasted together, and he had a very interesting conversation with Gentz.
July 1. In spite of a fearful storm, Clement and I set out, at eleven o'clock, on the way to Baden. My husband wished to speak to the Emperor. In political affairs, he can look nowhere without finding cause for anxiety. One really does not see in what way things are to take a more favourable turn.
We are threatened with terrible crises, and I see no outlet. Clement was with the Emperor till three. The events which are impending inspire Clement with mournful forebodings for me and everything he holds dear.
May God preserve us from the misfortunes which threaten us! My poor husband was so kind, so loving and tender. For my part, I thank God that he finds in me a consolation for so many griefs and anxieties. July 4. The cholera is raging violently in Hungary. Clement was very uneasy.
This terrible scourge, coming upon us as it does at the very moment when our efforts were exclusively demanded to make head against the moral cholera, is a fearful addition to our anxieties.
At Pesth they have taken away the bridge of boats, in order to cut off all communication. A cordon is to be drawn throughout the whole of Hungary.
July 7. Clement had a highly interesting conver- sation with Gentz on the condition of France and England, who are now making common cause together.
Russia and Prussia are verv much astonished to see. God have mercy upon our ancient Europe, for it is in terrible case. July 9. The accounts of the cholera in Hungary are less alarming ; people are even beginning to think it was not the cholera at all. July I talked with Gentz about my husband's memoirs ; I want him to assist me with them. No one but he can help him to get through this difficult task.
G-entz, however, will not assent to this, as he fears it will give him too much to do. He says it would be necessary to devote one's whole life to the work, and he has not the requisite strength ; the day's duties tire him too much for him to think of fresh ones.
I had a walk with Clement in the Belvedere. He told me what it was proposed to do in the event of the cholera reaching here. There are two alternatives : the Emperor is either to shut himself up in some castle Schonbrunn, for instance, or the Belvedere taking such persons of his Court as it is absolutely needful he should have with him, or else he is to set off with those same persons, God knows whither!
Clement went very early to the Emperor, who held a conference on the cholera and the affairs of Hungary.
The rising at Pesth was more serious than people suppose. It is a very sad story. Clement played with Richard, and was so well amused that at last he took to blowing soap- bubbles with Gentz, which means something nowadays. I found time to copy out a few fragments of his memoirs ; afterwards we dined with Tatistscheff at Lady Cowley's at Weinhaus. Clement and T set out at eleven for Baden ; the weather was very hot, but fine.
We read. Clement then asked me how I should like to pass a few weeks at Baden. I am much pleased with this proposal, for, with the weather a little cooler there than in town, his hours of work will be better arranged, and he will be able to have his evenings free.
We had scarcely arrived when Clement went off to the Emperor, who pressed him strongly to take up his residence at Baden. We started to return at eight, and I was thoroughly tired when we got back to Vienna.
Luckily we had no visitors. Clement read me King Louis Philippe's speech at the opening of the Chambers weak and destitute of character, but full of arrogance towards Austria. Here is one sentence : ' In accordance with my demand, the Austrian troops have evacuated Italy,' and so on.
It is really pitiable. Removal to Badeu. The Belgian question. Approach of the cholera. Conversation with the Empress. Young Leykam.
Residence at Schonbrunn. Speeches by Perier and others. Conver- sion of the Emperor Nicholas. Russo-Polish affairs. Outbreak of cholera. End of the Polish insurrection. Good news from Berlin. Murder of Capodistria. Visit to the Empress. Baden, August 5. We dined very early with mamma, and then set out for Baden, Clement and I in our close carriage, the children following. We found the house we had taken very comfortable and fairly large.
We made a beginning in setting things straight,.
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