Sir Horace Rumbold, lately Ambassador at Vienna, bears in the
new number of the National Review strong testimony to the consistent friendliness of the Austrian Emperor. It was once manifested in a very striking way. In January, 1900, when most great men on the Continent were gleefully watching our embarrassments in South Africa, Sir Horace relates :—" Coming up to me, his Majesty at once addressed me, where I stood between the Russian and French Ambassadors, with the words :'Dana cette guerre je suis tout a, fait du cote de l'Angleterre,' "—" In this war I am altogether on the side of England." This friendliness was not apparent in the Austrian Press ; but Sir Horace Rumbold is evidently of opinion that that Press was moved by in- fluences emanating from Berlin. He adds, we are glad to see, that the Emperor, in spite of his years, is still a most vigorous man who can outride most of his officers, and who need not therefore as yet be greatly troubled by the rather complicated question of the succession with which the gossips of Vienna are always amusing themselves. The latest rumour is that the three Archdukes next to the throne intend all to " renounce " in favour of a lad of fifteen, son to the Archduke Otto; but there seems no more ground for it than for a score of others. There is no want of potential heirs at all events, for while Maria Theresa succeeded because there were none left, there are now forty-three.
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