Louisa of Prussia and Her Times | Page 7

And the Hungarians, too, have
learned to bow their heads ever since the five noble conspirators were
beheaded on the Generalwiese, in front of the citadel of Ofen. Believe
me, count, that day has contributed more to the submissiveness of
Hungary than all the favors and privileges which the Emperors of
Austria have bestowed upon the Magyars. Nations are always frivolous
and impudent children: he who tries to educate them tenderly is sure to
spoil them; but raise them in fear and trembling, and they will become
quiet and obedient men. And for that reason, I tell you once more, don't
call those men, now that they are dead, accursed traitors, for they have
been very useful to us; they have been the instrument with which we
have chastised the whole overbearing people of Austria and Hungary,
and those were blessed days for us when we mowed down the
high-born traitors of both countries. The sword of our justice performed
a noble work on that day, for it struck down a savant and a poet, a
count and a distinguished prelate. Oh, what a pity that there was no
prince among them!"
"Well, a prince might have been found likewise," said Count Saurau,
"and perhaps he may get into our meshes on some other occasion. Your

excellency is an adroit hunter."
"And you are an excellent pointer for me. You scent such things on the
spot," Count Thugut exclaimed, and broke out into a loud burst of
laughter.
Count Saurau laughed also, and took good care not to betray how
cruelly the joke had wounded his aristocratic pride. The Austrian
aristocracy was accustomed to such insults at the hands of the powerful
and proud prime minister, and everybody knew that Thugut, the son of
a poor ship-builder, in the midst of his greatness, liked to recall his
modest descent, and to humble the nobility through the agency of the
ship-builder's son.
"Your excellency will permit me to render myself at once worthy of the
praise you have kindly bestowed upon me," said the police minister,
after a short pause. "I believe we have discovered another conspiracy
here. True, it is only an embryo as yet, but it may grow into something
if we give it the necessary time."
"What is it, Saurau?" said Thugut, joyfully--"tell me at once what it is!
A conspiracy--a good, sound conspiracy?"
"Yes, a most malignant and important conspiracy! A conspiracy against
your excellency's life!"
"Bah!--is that all?" said Thugut carelessly, and with evident
disappointment. "I was in hopes that by this time you would hand over
to me some high-born aristocrats who had held secret intercourse with
that execrable French Republic. It would have been a splendid example
for all those hare-brained fools who are so fond of repeating the three
talismanic words of the republican regicides, and who are crazy with
delight when talking of Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite. I would have liked
to chastise a few of these madmen, in order to put a stop to the
prevailing republican enthusiasm. But instead of that, you talk to me of
a conspiracy only aimed at myself!"
"Only at yourself!" repeated the count, with great indignation. "As if it
were not the most dreadful calamity for Austria if she should be
deprived of your services. You know that we are standing on the verge
of a precipice; in the interior, the liberal and seditious desires which the
senseless reforms of the Emperor Joseph have stirred up, are still
prevalent, and the people only submit with reluctance and with spiteful
feelings to the reforms which your excellency has inaugurated with a

view to the best interests of Austria. Abroad, on the other hand, the
blood-stained French Republic incites the malecontents to imitate its
own infamies; they would like to see the victorious banners of General
Bonaparte here in order to have his assistance in establishing a
republican government in Austria."
"It is true," said Thugut, "the Austrian empire, at the present time, is
exposed to great dangers from within and without; the reins must be
held very firmly in order to conduct the ship of state safely through the
breakers, and I believe I am the man to do it. You see, count, I do not
underrate my own importance. I know only too well that Austria needs
me. Still, the plots and conspiracies that are merely directed against
myself, make me laugh. For let me tell you, my dear little count, I
really fancy that my person has nothing to fear either from daggers, or
from pistols, or from poisoned cups. Do you believe in a Providence,
count? Ah!--you look surprised, and wonder how such a question could
fall from infidel lips like mine. Yes, yes, I am an infidel, and I honestly
confess that the heaven of