Maria Theresa of Austria BY J. ALEXANDER MAHAN AUTHOR OF VIENNA
YESTERDAY AND TODAY FAMOUS WOMEN OF VIENNA AND C MARIE LOUISE
NAPOLEONS NEMESIS THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY PUBLISHERS - NEW YORK
10JJ2 BY THOMAS Y. OROWKTjJL COMPANY All right ro irvad No part ojp
thin book wmy bo roproduood in any form without por-mlnnicm in
writiug Jtrom tho publinhor. P R I N T K P IN THE U N I T K X STATX
OV A M fc I C A BV THE VAIL-BAX. LOU rRBBfl INC., HI N OM AM TON,
N. Y. MARIA THURKKA AT FORTY To ELSBETH PREFACE In this brief
biography of Maria Theresa of Austria, the author addresses himself
to general readers who are assumed to be unfamiliar with the
details of European history. Care has been used to explain as
sociated characters and events as they are mentioned in the
narration, and two explanatory chapters have been introduced
dealing with the Holy Roman Empire of the Germans, the Austrian
Monarchy, and the con temporaries of the queen. We have aspired to
make this book such that the average American reader may be able to
understand and enjoy the text from beginning to end without the use
of reference books. But the author also hopes this work may be
deemed worthy of a place in the libraries of historians. Due
attention has been given to accuracy in the statement of facts, and
all inferences drawn from them have been carefully considered. Many
citations of authorities have been given and their use made as
practical as pos sible by supplying a complete list of the works
men tioned, with full data concerning publishers and dates of
publication This seemed necessary to avoid confu sion, since many
of the works cited have been repeat edly printed in editions which
are not uniform in vol umes andpages. To save space nearly all the
citations are given in an abbreviated form of the complete entries
placed at the end of the text-For the most part, letters have been
referred to by names and dates so vii viii Preface they may be
easily located in any publication con taining them. Perhaps we
should explain that the references arc given not merely to support
the authors statements, hut also to indicate where further infor
mation may he found, and to enable the reader to learn how the
subject under discussion has been regarded by other writers in a
few instances, it may be discovered that the citations present
views which diverge from those of the author. We believe the House
of Hapsburg is looked upon too unfavorably by the English-speaking
race, espe cially in the United States of America. We are prone to
forget that this, the greatest ruling dynasty in modern history,
spanned the long period from the Crusades to the World War, and
that during much of that time it formed the main bulwark which held
back the rising tide of Mohammedanism threatening to en gulf Europe
and sweep Christian culture from the face of the earth The
Hapsburgs were not only strong, but also appeared upright and
honorable when compared with most of their contemporaries. Kven
when the House, after six centuries of power, went into decline, it
never sank to the low level of degradation and im potency occupied
by most of the dynasties of Kurope when approaching extinction.
Maria Theresa was the only ruling queen of the House of Hapsburg
and many we think very justly regard her as the most capable,
honorable, and con scientious ruler of the entire dynasty. For the
author, she has always had a peculiar charm becauseof her supreme
courage, lofty aspirations, and good common sense in the presence
of apparently overwhelming dif ficulties, debased contemporaries,
and erratic advisers. Preface ix To write her biography has been a
pleasant task, in spite of the fact that many of her convictions
seem to have been fundamentally wrong...
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