cessfulest of Markgraves, especially in later times.
Brandenburg was indeed steadily an Electorate, its Markgraf a KURFURST,
or Elector of the Empire; and always rather on the increase than
otherwise. But the Territories were apt to be much split up to younger
sons; two or more Markgraves at once, the eldest for Elector, with other
arrangements; which seldom answer. They had also fallen into the habit
of borrowing money; pawning, redeeming, a good deal, with Teutsch
Ritters and others. Then they puddled considerably,--and to their loss,
seldom choosing the side that proved winner,--in the general broils of
the Reich, which at that time, as we have seen, was unusually anarchic.
None of the successfulest of Markgraves latterly. But they were
regretted beyond measure in comparison with the next set that came; as
we shall see.

Chapter IX. -- BURGGRAF FRIEDRICH IV.

Brandenburg and the Hohenzollern Family of Nurnberg have hitherto no
mutual acquaintanceship whatever: they go, each its own course, wide
enough apart in the world;--little dreaming that they are to meet by and
by, and coalesce, wed for better and worse, and become one flesh. As is
the way in all romance. "Marriages," among men, and other entities of
importance, "are, evidently, made in Heaven."

Friedrich IV. of Nurnberg, Son of that Friedrich III., Kaiser Rudolf's
successful friend, was again a notable increaser of his House; which
finally, under his Great-grandson, named Friedrich VI., attained the
Electoral height. Of which there was already some hint. Well; under the
first of these two Friedrichs, some slight approximation, and under his
Son, a transient express introduction (so to speak) of Brandenburg to
Hohenzollern took place, without immediate result of consequence; but
under the second of them occurred the wedding, as we may call it, or
union "for better or worse, till death do us part."--How it came about?
Easy to ask, How! The reader will have to cast some glances into the
confused REICHS-History of the time;--timid glances, for the element
is of dangerous, extensive sort, mostly jungle and shaking bog;--and
we must travel through this corner of it, as on shoes of swiftness,
treading lightly.

CONTESTED ELECTIONS IN THE REICH: KAISER ALBERT I.; AFTER WHOM SIX
NON-HAPSBURG KAISERS.

The Line of Rudolf of Hapsburg did not at once succeed continuously
to the Empire, as the wont had been in such cases, where the sons were
willing and o