ery high. It was, however, my cruel Fate
to see something more of the Capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and that
too in a form that was of the unpleasantest. You must know that my
Master and the Chaplain and I (when we had been some Weeks in town, and
through the interest of the English Bankers had gotten admission into
some Society not quite so exclusive as the People who wanted to know
whether you were "born") went one afternoon to an Archery Festival that
was held in the garden of the Archchancellor's Villa, at Schoenbrunn (now
Imperial property). 'Twas necessary to have some kind of Introduction;
but that, if you stood well in the Banker's Books, was not very
Difficult; and, invited or not, you had to pay a golden Ducat to the
Usher of Ceremonies (a preposterous creature, like the Jack of Diamonds
in his dress), that brought your ticket to your lodgings. So away we
went to Schoenbrunn, and at a Respectful distance were privileged to
behold two of the young Archduchesses all dressed, their Hair full of
jewels, and with bows and arrows in their hands; while a little way off
were placed three oval pictures, which were the marks to be shot at. The
first was a Cupid, filling a bottle of Burgundy, with the motto
"_Cowards may be brave here._" The second Fortune, holding a garland,
with the motto "_Venture and Win._" The third a Sword with a Laurel
Wreath at the point, and for legend, "_I can be vanquished without
shame._" At t'other end was a Fine Gilded Trophy all wreathed with
flowers, and made of little crooks, on which were hung rich Moorish
Kerchiefs (which were much affected by the Viennese, a people very fond
of gay and lively colours), tippets, ribbons, laces, &c., for the small
prizes. The Empress, who sat under a splendid canopy fenced about by
musketeers of the Life Guard, gave away the first prize with her own
hand, which was a brave Ruby Ring set with Diamonds in a gold
snuff-box. For the Second prize there was a little Cupid, very nicely
done out of amethysts, and besides these a set of fine Porcelain, of the
kind they call Eggshell (for its exceeding Tenderness and Brittleness),
with some Japan trunks, feather-fans, and Whimwams of that order. All
the men of quality in Vienna were spectators; but only the ladies had
permission to shoot. There was a good background of burghers and
strangers, and in the rear of all a Mob that drank beer and scrambled
for Kreutzers, which the officers of the Guard who were keepi