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abominable war?〃
〃Your majesty; I regret to say that the negotiations are progressing
very slowly;〃 said Count Metternich; mournfully。
〃The Emperor of the French persists with stubborn petulancy in all
his demands; and refuses firmly to abate them。〃
〃Indeed; is Bonaparte so stubborn?〃 asked the emperor; kindly。 〃How
far have you advanced in your conferences with Minister Champagny?〃
〃Your majesty; we have not advanced yet beyond the difficult
questions concerning the contributions in money and the fortresses。
France refuses obstinately to take less than two hundred and thirty…
seven millions of francs; and insists on the cession of the
fortresses of Gratz and Brunn; which her troops have not even
occupied up to this time。〃
〃That is to say; you have not advanced in your peace negotiations
beyond what both sides were willing to concede at the outset?〃
〃Pardon me; your majesty。 In the beginning of the negotiations we
were entirely ignorant of the demands of France; while we are
familiar with them now; and know what course to adopt in regard to
them。 After learning the adversary's intentions; one may more easily
devise ways and means to frustrate them。〃
〃But you have been devising them a long time already without
obtaining any results;〃 said the emperor; shrugging his shoulders。
〃Well; what do you think; my dear count; will be the upshot of your
peace negotiations?〃
〃Will your majesty permit me to tell you the truth?〃 asked Count
Metternich; with his most winning smile。
The emperor nodded his head。
〃Well then; your majesty; I believe that war will be the upshot of
all these peace negotiations。 The demands of France are so
exorbitant that Austria cannot submit to them。 Austria's HONOR will
compel us to resume hostilities; for a government may; if need be;
acquiesce in the loss of some of its territories; but it must never
submit to a violation of its honor。〃
〃But do you know that a resumption of hostilities will endanger not
only some of our territories; but our existence? Our armies are
disorganized; disheartened; and without a competent commander…in…
chief; and my distinguished brothers; who are at the head of the
different corps; are quarreling as though they were old women; and
not princes。 Besides; money; the best general in war times; is
wanting to us。〃
〃Only declare your determination to resume hostilities; your
majesty; and money will not be wanting to you。 Your people will
gladly sacrifice all their property for this purpose; for your
people hate Napoleon and desire vehemently that hostilities should
be resumed。〃
〃See here;〃 exclaimed the emperor; almost menacingly; 〃let me advise
you not to allude to my people; if you want me to remain on good
terms with you。 I have no people; I have subjects; and want only
subjects。 'Footnote: Schlosser's 〃History of the Eighteenth
Century。〃' If I need money; I shall impose additional taxes on my
subjects; and they will be compelled to pay them; but they need not
offer me any presents; for I think it would be incompatible with my
imperial honor to accept them。 An emperor must not accept any thing
as a present at the hands of his subjects; not even their love; for
it is the duty of the subjects to love their emperor。 Bear this in
mind; count; and do not repeat again this new…fashioned word
'people;' I cannot bear it; it smells so much of the republic and
guillotine。 Well; I have told you that; if we resumed hostilities;
we should be destitute of three very essential things; namely; a
good army; a great captain; and money。 There is no doubt whatever
that we should lose the first battle again; and if we were compelled
then to sue for peace; Bonaparte would impose still more rigorous
terms upon us: we should be obliged to accept them; and should lose
both territories and honor。 Now you know my views; count; and you
shall know also the principal reason why I sent for you。 Look at
this paper。 Do you know what it contains? The treaty of peace!〃
〃The treaty of peace?〃 cried Metternich; in dismay。 〃Your majesty
does not mean to say〃
〃I mean to say that I have made peace with the Emperor of the
French。 Here is the paper; take it。 The whole thing is done now。〃
〃Your majesty;〃 exclaimed Metternich; looking at the paper which the
emperor had handed to him; 〃it is really true; then? You have
already signed the treaty without being so gracious as to employ
your ministers or even inform them of it?〃
〃Yes; I have; for I thought we needed peace; hence; I signed the
treaty; and Prince Lichtenstein and Count Bubna have taken a copy of
it to the headquarters of the Emperor Napoleon at Schoenbrunn; and I
believe he will sign it also。 Well; do not look so dumbfounded;
count; and do not wonder any longer that I succeeded in making peace
without your assistance。 I allowed you and Stadion to go on with the
negotiations; and did not prevent you from displaying your whole
diplomatic skill at Altenburg against Bonaparte's minister;
Champagny; but all this could not prevent me either from promoting
the affair a little here at Totis; after my own fashion; and now all
is over。 For the rest; my dear count; bear in mind what I now say to
you。 I appointed you my minister; because you are an able and clear…
headed man; and an industrious and reliable functionary。 I shall let
you act; decide; and govern; and not complain if people say that you
are all…powerful in Austria; and that your will alone guides the
ship of state。 Let people say and think so; but YOU shall not think
so; count; you shall know once for all what our mutual position is。
I allow you to govern so long as you govern in accordance with my
views; but if I am not satisfied with the course you are pursuing; I
shall pursue my own course; and it will only remain for you to
follow me; or retire from public affairs。 Now decide; my dear count;
will you follow me; or〃
〃Sire; there is no 'or;'〃 interrupted Count Metternich。 〃It is your
majesty's incontestable right to lead the way; and indicate to me
the course I am to pursue。〃
〃That is right; I like to hear that kind of language!〃 exclaimed the
emperor; holding out his hand kindly to the count。 〃You may depend
upon it now that we two shall remain yet a long while together; and
that; since we are going to have peace in the country; we shall rule
together in tranquillity and harmony。 There; take the paper now to
your room; and read it attentively; that you may become thoroughly
familiar with it; above all things; do not forget the secret
articles; for you know they are always the most important of all。
Pray return to me in an hour from now; we will then work together。〃
〃Sire; I shall be here punctually;〃 said Count Metternich; bowing
deeply; and walking backward to the door。
〃I believe he WILL be here punctually;〃 said the emperor; smiling;
after Metternich had left the room。 〃He is afraid; if he should not
be promptly at my door; it might never open to him again。 I want
them all to feel that I am their master and emperorI alone! Now I
am through with Metternich; and it is my brother's turn。 I will give
him to…day a lesson which he will not forget all his life long。〃