Marie Antoinette Information

Maria Theresa of Austria by J. ALEXANDER MAHAN. 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 associated 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 contemporaries 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 possible by supplying a complete list of the works mentioned, with full data concerning publishers and dates of publication This seemed necessary to avoid confusion, since many of the works cited have been repeatedly printed in editions which are not uniform in volumes and pages.

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 containing them. Perhaps we should explain that the references arc given not merely to support the authors statements, hut also to indicate where further information 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, especially 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. Even when the House, after six centuries of power, went into decline, it never sank to the low level of degradation and impotency occupied by most of the dynasties of Europe 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 conscientious ruler of the entire dynasty. For the author, she has always had a peculiar charm because of her supreme courage, lofty aspirations, and good common sense in the presence of apparently overwhelming difficulties, debased contemporaries, and erratic advisers. 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…