SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

DIPLOMACY.

Historical Memoir of a Minion to the Court of Vienna, in 1806. Bythe Rt. Hon, Sir Robert Adair, G.C.B. With a Selection from his Despatches. Published by permission if the proper Authwities Longtime and Co.

FICTION,

The Rose of Tistel6n; a Tale of the Swedish Coast. By Emilie Carla. Translated

from the Original Swedish. In two volumes Laasnaaa widen. Pumommr. A Dissertation on the metre of Homer. By Thomas Shaw Braudreth, MA Fellow of the RuyalSociety Pickering.

SIR ROBERT ADAIR'S MEMOIR OF HIS MISSION TO VIENNA.

ON the accession of Fox to power in 1806, he was anxious if pos- sible to establish the peace of Europe upon reasonable terms. For this purpose, he accredited Lord YARMOUTH, and subsequently despatched Lord LAUDERDALE to Paris, in order to treat directly with NAPOLEON; whilst his friend Mr. ADAIR was sent to Vienna, to operate more indirectly by assisting Russia to enforce upon Austria the necessity of taking up a more independent and commanding position in regard to France. The unprincipled ambition and vain hopes of NAPOLEON, built upon Fox's reputed Jacobinism—that statesman's untimely death—the victory of Jena—the timidity of Austria—and, finally, the treaty of Tilsit—destroyed the last chance of a general pacification to which Great Britain could be a party; and early in 1808, Mr. ADAIR received a note from Count STADION, the Austrian Minister, written under French dictation, and notifying that " toutes communications diplomatiques doivent etre regardees comme rompues entre L'Autriche et L'Angleterre ; et que son auguste Maitre lui a donne l'ordre de delivrer a M. Adair, ainsi qu 'aux personnes composant sa mission, lea passeports necessaires pour leur depart."

The volume before us consists of selections from Mr. ADAIR'S correspondence during his residence at Vienna, with such notices as may be necessary to link it together, and to enable the reader to understand the drift of the whole, by presenting him with a general view of the state of political affairs at the time. The papers and preliminary explanations are partly classed in chronological order, and partly with respect to their own nature ; the despatches to the Home Government, the correspondence between Mr. ADAIR and other British agents abroad, together with some miscellaneous documents, appearing seriatim under their re- spective heads. The introductory Memoir also enters upon a long exposition of the mistakes into which foreign writers, especially M. RIGNON in his history, have fallen with respect to the views of Mr. Fox in proposing to negotiate. To expose the mistakes and misstatements of M. BIGNON, to defend Mr. Fox from the charge of entertaining Anti-British principles and a willingness to sacri- fice the interests of the country to Revolutionary views, seems in- deed a main object of Sir ROBERT ADAIR; and the remarks upon BIG NON are perhaps dwelt upon at undue length and pushed to a minute particularity. The original idea of the author was to have deferred the appearance of the volume till after his death ; but this controversial character induced him to publish it while he, and others whose knowledge could support his statements, were still living. Viewed in a remote or historical point of view, we think Sir ROBERT ADAIR'S volume of considerable importance. It throws a light upon the inner motives of the Austrian and Prussian Courts during two eventful years when the minds of men imagined the growth of an universal empire in Europe : it also contains a variety of facts having a connexion with great events, if not very great in themselves ; and it indicates with more or less of fulness the public and personal characters of several eminent men. SJ:ne few of the letters are merely formal, and some are rather dry, especially to those who may read without a direct object ; but many are very creditable specimens of Sir ROBERT ADAIR'S powers as a diplo- matist,—sensible in view, frank in spirit, direct in expression, and not devoid of elegance or power in composition, rather overcoming than struggling with the form of the state paper. The miscellaneous correspondence, however, is the more interesting, for variety of matter and animation of style. Some of the letters, those of' Lord HurcrimoN especially, are excellent specimens of semi-official communications ; in which interest is imparted to matters of business by vivacity of spirit, and a fine, frank, gentlemanly feeling. Indeed, the whole volume represents the diplomatists of that day, those of France excepted, in a favourable point of view, with more of directness and candour, as well as absence of trick and finesse, than it is the fashion generally to attribute to the corps diplomatique. In point of feeling and style, the extracts contrast very favourably with those of late contemporary selections, which have displayed some- what too much of rigmarole, slang, and chicanery. To enter into the questions involved in the matter of this volume, would be to discuss the history of Europe for the years 1806-7: but two points stand out so glaringly, as a moral against selfishness, that they tnay be noted. It is clear, from the feelings of the British Cabinet and the fears of the Continent, that NAPO- LEON might have commanded any fair and reasoneble peace, quite favourable enough to have gratified the largest sense of national vanity on the part of the French. Through a boundless ambition and a crooked nature (for we do not perceive the Revolutionary necessity supposed by Mr. Al.'s" except in his own character,) he repelled the opportunity, pursued his vast objects in his vile way, and was eventually led to Waterloo and St. Helena. Before the battle of Jena, before and after the battle of Eylau, or rather through the whole period till the treaty of Tilsit, Austria held the balance in her hands. Vigorous language vigorously followed up would have compelled NAPOLEON to submit to peace, or to have continued war with the prospect of destruction. But selfish- ness and timidity prevailed : Austria thought by keeping quiet to be left alone ; and she was rewarded by the capture of Vienna, the defeat of Wagram, and the forced marriage of a daughter of the Imperial house to the Corsican adventurer. In fact, every thing in the volume points the moral of decision—of rneeting resolutely an evil that must come, and not shrinking from present difficulties to raise up greater ones at a future period. Our extracts, as a matter of convenience, will principally relate to the weaker parts of the volume—the etiquette of diplomacy. On the displacement of the Whigs, Mr. ADAIR was superseded by Lord PEMBROKE as Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Ple- nipotentiary. Mr. ADAIR, however, stood very well at Vienna. The Emperor, for some alleged reasons, declined to receive Lord PEMBROKE as Ambassador, and held that, Mr. ADAIR not having received a letter to the Emperor announcing his recall, Lord PEM- BRoice's letter of appointment as Plenipotentiary did not super- sede Mr. ADAIR ; nor could he get an audience to take leave. So he applies to CANNING to cut the knot.

DIPLOMATIC DIFFICULTIES.

4' Vienna, 10th July 1807.

"Dear Sir—I wrote on the 4th instant to give you notice of Lord Pem- broke's arrival at Vienna. His Lordship, with that politeness for which he is well known, and with a kindness of manner I shall never forget, delivered to me the duplicate of your despatch No. 3; but as he has brought me no letters of recall, I find myself placed in a situation of extreme awkwardness in regard to the general business of the mission. It appears that his Lordship's cre- dentials as Plenipotentiary are not considered here as conferring a rank beyond that of .Minister Plenipotentiary ; and it is in that character alone that this Court will receive them. They do not, therefore, necessarily revoke mine; and (sal am informed by Count Stadion, after his having read the copy of the letter to be pr sented by Lord Pembroke,) I must still be considered as accredited until I present letters of recall, or until this Court shall consent to receive a Minister of superior rank. I am also informed by him, that without such letters I can- not have my audience of leave. Now, to quit Vienna without taking leave, would be to the highest degree improper, more especially since my having learned that the Emperor had dune me the high honour of expressing his wishes to his Majesty that I should remain at his Court. I will thank you, therefore, to relieve me as soon as possible from this embarrassment ; the nature of which, in all its points of view, no man can more fully understand or more sensibly feel than yourself. "Believe me, &c. (Signed) ROBERT ADAIR."

To this letter I received no answer ; but early in September Lord Pembroke notified to me his intention of returning immediately to England, and proposed to toe to carry on the business of the mission until his Majesty's pleasure should be made known respecting the recall which I had solicited. In consequence of this proposal, I resumed my correspondence with Mr. Canniog on the 15th September.

But the power of NAPOLEON seemed omnipotent; his insolence grew in proportion ; and the favoured diplomatist had to endure a diplomatic slight at the Imperial supper-time, which created some diplomatic remonstrance with a view to remedy.

ETIQUETTE.

"At the supper of their Majesties, it is not usual for Ambassadors to appear ; but the Ministers of the second order are placed OD his Imperial Majesty's right hand, who from time to time signifies by his Grand blaster his desire to speak with 11 e of them.

"It is undoubtedly true that no order or etiquette is fixed with regard to the priority of their admission to this honour ; but I am informed that it has Mali rue been the usage, in consideration no less of the respect and veneration due to the person of his Majesty than to the rank held by the British nation among the Powers of Europe, to call first to the British Envoy; and that if any deviation from this form has at any time taken place, it has only been in favour either of the Saxon Envoy, as the oldest member of the corps diploma- tique. or the Neapolitan Envoy, in consideration of the family connexion of the two Courts.

"1 was therefore surprised and hurt to observe, that after the Saxon and Nea- politan Envoys had respectively been honoured with the notice of the Emperor, the Grand Master called successively to his presence the Envoys of Bavaria, Wirt emburg, and Prussia.

"For a moment I was in doubt whether it was fit for me to remain longer at the ceremony ; but, consitlering that a step so marked as that of retiring sud- denly from the circle would have put me under the necessity of exacting a reparation, which in the present melancholy state of the affairs of Austria it is impossible for her to make, I preferred a different course, and waited pa- tiently until toy name was pronounced, which was after the Prussian Envoy bad retired.

"The next day, which was the day fixed for the presentation of strangers, I waited upon Count Stadion, and told hint that, after what had passed on the preceding evening, it would be impassible for me to attend the circle unless I received some marked reparation for a neglect which I could not help thinking intentional ; and that, with this view, I required that, immediately after the Ambassadors, I should he the first Envoy spoken to by their Majesties, and admitted to present the English gentlemen who attended me.

"After some discussion between Count Stadion and myself, in the course of which he repeatedly assured me that there was nothing intentional in the cir- cumstance of which I complained, and that, if I pleased, hv would say so in writing, he agreed to grant me the reparation 1 asked, and that in a manner sufficiently distinct to attract the general attention. I then further made a point of his arranging this matter himself with the Emperor; and on receiving his promise so to do, took my leave. "1 have the satisfaction of informing you that the promise was faithfully kept, and that immediately after the Russian Ambassador, and before that of France,* I was spoken to by both their Imperial Majesties, and admitted to present the Engli.h gentlemen to the Empress.

"These circumstances, which in any other times would scarcely have called for a detailed communication, may perhaps deserve the attention of his Ma- jesty 's Government in the present very critical situation of our relations with the Continent, and with Austria in particular."

The following anecdote does not exhibit the manly and open character of Fox in a new light ; but it furnishes another example ofthose qualities, so different from the timorous caution and half- wonfidence of inferior men.

•

This was an attention on the Tart of General Andreossy, personal to anself.—R.4. rox's INSTRUCTIONS.

" Our Envoy at Vienna was Sir Arthur Paget; and on his recall, or rather resignation, I was appointed to succeed him. I had no regular instructions from Mr. Fox. There was nothing in his office on which to ground any. Long habits of indulgent regard (it could be nothing else) had led him, probably, to believe that I should not abuse the confidence expressed in the remarkable words with which, on my asking for instructions, he dismissed me- 1 have none to give you. Go to Vienna, and send me yours.'"

This friendly letter from Lord Hum:us:sox was written upon the breaking-up of the Whig Ministry about the " No-Popery" cry, and contains in its closing remark a pregnant historical fact, worthy of preservation. The treaty of Tilsit took place in the following month.

"Lord Hutchinson to Mr. A.

" ltartenstein, 6th May 1807. °

" My dear Adair—The bearer of this letter is Prince Radzivill, who is married to the Princess Louisa of Prussia ; he is a particular friend of mine, and I have a great regard for him. He is a very agreeable, sensible man, and perfectly in the confidence both of the Russian and Prussian governments; so you may open yourself to him in the fullest manner. I ant at present with the army ; so that it would be impossible at the present for me to resign my situation, which I consider as entirely a military one ; but should any serious negotiation for peace be entered into, or when the campaign is drawing to a conclusion, 1 shall think myself entirely at liberty, and desire leave to retire. As for anything which has passed or is likely to pass in England, I have no information, as I have few correspondents ; those few never write to me but on subjects of private business : but there appears to have been a division among the Ministers themselves. The Russians, who have no idea of religious per- secution, cannot believe that such a cause could have created such a ferment at such a moment.

"Believe me to be, my dear Adair, with great regard truly yours, (Signed;

" HUTCIIINSON."