ground with an elasticity and eagerness of research that is quite refreshing, and that frequently inspires the drudgery of compilation with a new and original interest; and exhibits a boldness of spirit in assailing established views and time-honoured prejudices, that will stir the pulses of his readers, and compel them to think and feel, instead of suffering them to drop quietly into the procession of events. He is open to the imputation of a certain hastiness of tone that may militate against the implicit reception of his judgments; but the reader soon gets accustomed to this broad energy of utterance, and, discovering that it is the northern temperament of the writer, and not the superficial rashness of mere animal spirits, that pours such impetuous eloquence into the book, he is not unwilling to give way to its excitement and to surrender himself to the influence which is inseparable from courageous and vigorous writing.

Mr. Macgregor demands to be accredited for independence and impartiality. So do all historians. But he is neither more independent nor impartial than others. He has his own side of the great questions he discusses, and he takes his stand firmly upon it, believing, as all sincere men believe, that he is thoroughly unprejudiced. It is no deduction from his real merits to say, that he has not produced a narrative of the Civil Wars and the Commonwealth which materially differs in spirit and tendency from some other histories in which similar views are adopted. He is more urgent in his views than most other writers; but we should do injustice to his predecessors if we were to admit that he possesses any superior claim on the ground of fairness and dispassionateness. Few writers are less dispassionate, although none may be more honest. His criticisms on preceding authors, who have devoted their researches to the age of Cromwell, are not in all cases as temperate as we could have desired, and in some instances are too sweeping and decisive. There must be no monopoly set up in qualities which are, in their nature, tolerant and liberal; and if there be anything seriously to regret in this work, it is that Mr. Macgregor does not sufficiently recognize the just claims of others who have laboured with success in the same quarry.

We must not dismiss the work without adding, that the colonial history of the Commonwealth and Protectorate is treated more fully in its pages than in any work with which we are acquainted; and that in all matters relating to our trade and navigation it displays an amount of knowledge and a perspicuity of statement which confer the highest value on the publication, and display to the utmost advantage the ability of the author in dealing with questions of a laborious and intricate character.

THE EMPEROR JOSEPH II.

REGULATIONS DRAWN UP BY THE EMPEROR FOR THE EDUCATION OF HIS NEPHEW, THE ARCH-DUKE FRANCIS, AFTERWARDS FRANCIS I.

NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.

THE following curious documents have just appeared in Vienna for private circulation, and complete the remarkable series of regulations * drawn up by the Emperor, Joseph II. of Austria, for the education of his nephew, the Arch-duke Francis, and given to Count Colloredo and the two Adjutants-General, who were appointed his tutors.

They present a striking proof of the watchful care devoted to the education of the Princes of the Imperial House, and depict in vivid colours the great, but rash and injudicious, Reformer himself.

The overstrained ideal of his exalted duties which Joseph entertained, and strove to impress on the mind of the future ruler; the harsh severity with which he regards even the most venial frailties of youth; the greatness and the weakness of his character, are all equally strongly indicated.

For the characters and qualifications of the Arch-duke's tutors, the historical student should consult a work published in 1799, entitled, "Observations on the Character and Government of the Emperors, Joseph II, Leopold II., and Francis II." In the same book there is also a curious account of the youth of Francis.

A.

Thoughts on the better education of the Arch-duke Francis.

"That I found the mode of education adopted in Florence towards the Arch-duke Francis, neither suitable to his high destiny nor his personal character, is incontestably proved by my having brought him. here to the increase of my own cares, though in accordance with the wish of his parents, who recognized in my so doing the only means of his advancement.

"Looking at him as a youth of seventeen years old, and comparing him with others of the same age; or calling to mind what we were ourselves at the same period, we shall immediately perceive that his physical development has been entirely neglected, his growth and vigour retarded, and that he is very backward in all graceful and athletic exercises. In short, he is presented to our view as a mother's darling, a spoiled child, who considers everything he does, or which affects his own personal convenience, as all-engrossing, and regards as of no importance what he sees others do or suffer on his account.

"Sixteen years and a half passed in such a way must, of course, give rise to the erroneous idea that the preservation of his person is the chief end to be kept in view on all occasions; not because he may here

See Schimmer's Kaiser Joseph II., 4th ed. 1850.

+ Indeed they still lead lives almost monastic. A very little while since even the court balls began at six o'clock in the evening; even now they commence at seven and end at twelve. The Arch-duchess Marie Louise, who married Napoleon, was a remarkable exception to the general character of her family.

after give hope of becoming a useful and an honest man, but because chance has placed him in a position to be the principal object of every one's notice and of the whole state, whereas the slightest exercise of common sense proves the contrary. Any simple citizen may tell him that when his son turns out well, he will also be useful; and should the boy turn out badly, and have no capacity to fill any employment, he can do no harm. But an Arch-duke, or an heir-apparent, is a very different person; being destined hereafter to the most important offices of state and the conduct of important affairs. It should be no longer a question how he will succeed? He must be in a condition to succeed. For, on every occasion, when he is not sufficiently acquainted with the course of business, or when his knowledge is not based on sound principles, or where he does not possess a mind or body adequate to execute and govern, his inability becomes detrimental to the public welfare.

"It is the good or bad opinion entertained of a Prince that gives his government its real character,* and the love of his subjects will supply the place of armies and treasure. That such opinions, at least with the multitude, are mostly derived from his outward deportment, daily experience in all countries amply teaches. Few persons have the opportunity of scrutinizing the real qualities of the mind and heart, but every one has the power of judging from outward appearances; of weighing expressions, and observing behaviour in great and sudden emergencies. It follows that, as such things decide the opinion of the world, the most necessary part in the education of the future regent, is not alone the acquisition of knowledge, but its right application and employment; under which heads are included everything relating to external behaviour.

"In accordance with these principles, the Arch-duke must do his utmost to make good this part of his education; its neglect has already affected his moral character, and is generally very detrimental to him. Every one about him must exert his vigilance in recalling it to his mind. "Count Colloredo must entirely lay aside the system pursued in Tuscany, and continued there up to the present moment. That the system hitherto followed, is by no means suitable to the personal character of the Arch-duke, appears from no affections, not even the commonest and most general, having been excited in his mind by his effeminate and defective physical education. Boundless self-love, apathy in thought and deed, indifference and irresolution of behaviour and conduct, have arisen in their stead.

"The active mind is accustomed to think for itself, and waits not for a prompter it regulates itself from principle and reflection, without waiting for the instigation of others, or debasing itself by servile imitation. It has an opinion of its own, speaks with decision, is neither timid in asserting itself, nor affects diffidence when the opportunity offers; is neither false, dissembling, nor reserved, the consciousness of its innate power rendering it free, sincere, and determined.

"Immoderate self-love fears and avoids everything that causes trouble, and dreads to hear the truth, so necessary to him who desires to exercise the faculty of self-control.

"The Arch-duke is fond of displaying only those powers which nature has given him, memory and a quick conception. He assumes a

i.e. in absolute countries?

feigned stoicism, but when he is required to exert his real strength, when a claim is made on the sweat of his brow and the marrow of his bones, he is a nonentity, imbecile in body and intellect. He is incapable of attaining greatness, unfitted for a statesman, and gives himself over entirely to the guidance of other people. Such are the consequences of an indolence that leaves it to others to think and to act, what duty bids him do himself. His littleness of mind holds it not only convenient, but prudent, to abstain from interfering; and, in order to incur no reproach, he submits himself blindly to the guidance of others. The man who neither can nor will be his own master, is still less adapted to be the master of a state. Nothing can be indifferent to us if we give ourselves the trouble to reflect and compare, and do not falsely assume a character, or affect an exclusiveness, that becomes troublesome to all around us.

"With a character like the Arch-duke's, partly natural, and partly formed by circumstances and example, it would be highly improper, and a general sacrifice of time and trouble, to continue the former prejudicial and lethargic routine. Count Colloredo, and the two Adju tants-General, should therefore, on all occasions, carefully and strictly urge the Arch-duke to persevere in the way I have here pointed out; for nothing else has been hitherto attempted, save to give him health without vigour, an easy deportment, without the flexibility of limb adapted for emergencies: his mind has been rendered subject and pliant to foreign influence, not vigorous and independent. His memory has been crammed with facts and definitions, without regard to their development and practical application.

"Everything which improves the intellectual or bodily faculties is essential to the education of man.

"To act the Arch-duke on occasions of ceremony, such as audiences, compliments, and etiquette, will follow of itself, and only narrow minds will attach any weight or importance to such miserable trifles.

"Having it much at heart that the education of the Arch-duke should be immediately proceeded with, after so much lost time, on the principles herein laid down as most proper and indispensable, it is my will that, during my absence, he keep a journal, to chronicle in writing from day to day everything which may occur worthy of notice, and that Count Colloredo and the two Adjutants-General also enter in a journal whatever passes, and whether in all these points they find any progress or improvement. Count Colloredo is hereby especially appointed as obersthofmeister, with the superintendence of the household audiences and public ceremonies, but the two Adjutants-General are placed about the person of the Arch-duke, as permanent counsellors for the cultivation of his mind and body; they are also charged with the military instruction of the Arch-duke, which can by no means be dispensed with.

"The conclusion of all this is, that the greater the Arch-duke's opinion of his own exclusive perfections, the more often must opportunities be taken of letting him know the truth. The more deficient he is in all the qualifications a man in his position requires for the proper fulfilment of the duties of his high office, and, particularly, as the Archduke is more childish than his years allow, passing his time in trifling amusements; the greater the necessity for removing all unmeaning boys not suitable to his age, and retaining only those who shall tend to the

improvement of his bodily skill and dexterity, so that when he finds the time hang heavily on his hands, he may seek the means of shortening it by thinking, reading, or bodily exercise.

"Reading aloud in different languages is an essential and necessary thing.

"Since he is unintelligible in his speech, coarse in his expressions, loud in his tone, and swallows his words through indolence or negligence, or from unbecoming timidity, he must be admonished, persuaded, and corrected unceasingly, as it is quite necessary for him, not only to make himself understood, but also to express himself creditably on public occasions.

"Vienna, 18th August, 1784."

"JOSEPH."

On the back is the following remark written in another hand :

"Rien au monde ne peut faire plus d'honneur à l'esprit mâle, aux grands principes, au cœur et au jugement sain de l'Empereur Joseph, que tout ce qui découle de sa plume dans cet écrit admirable et digne d'être transmis pour servir de modèle à tous les monarques futurs, de la postérité la plus reculée.

B.

"J'ai lu avec plaisir et satisfaction, Messieurs, le Rapport que vous m'aevz fait au sujet de mon neveu; il y règne autant de clarté que de justesse dans la façon d'envisager les choses comme dans le choix des moyens. Le tout bien combiné, il ne faut que de la patience pour attendre le développement de son physique et préparer avec soin les voies afin qu'il réussisse. Etant convaincu que vous voyez très bien tout ce qu'y est relatif, je ne veux pas non plus faire de démarche sans en avoir préalablement votre avis. Or je me propose de demander à mon neveu et au Comte de Colloredo les journaux qu'ils auront faits et de vous les communiquer ensuite. Ils seront sans doute très matériels, et ne contiendront que l'usuel appliqué aux dates et aux heures; mais je compte d'en prendre occasion pour demander à mon neveu qu'il réponde lui-même sur les points d'instruction que je lui ai donnés, afin de l'obliger de raisonner là-dessus et de me marquer dans quels points il est avancé et dans quels il se trouve encore reculé, en y ajoutant les raisons de chaque chose. Comme ce travail exigera qu'il relise mon Instruction, qu'il y réfléchisse et qu'il se rappelle en même tems ses défauts cela pourra produire quelque bon effet. Mais j'attendrai en

core ce que vous en pensez.

Vienne, le 3 Novembre, 1784."

"JOSEPH."

On the reverse, in the same handwriting as the remarks to letter A, is the following:

"Lettre que m'a écrite l'Empéreur Joseph au retour d'un voyage qu'il fit en 1784, ou proprement sa réponse au grand rapport que je lui avais fait sur S. A. R. l'Archiduc François, après le retour de sa Majesté de ce voyage."

C.

"During a stay here of almost eight months, by the Arch-duke Francis, the indefatigable endeavours of the two Adjutants-General