,
however, matters did decidedly improve; PACTA CONVENTA, or any remainder
of them, are got adjusted,--the good Queen yielding on many points. So
that, September 20th, Grand-Duke Franz is elected Co-regent,--let
him start from Vienna instantly, for Instalment;--and it is hoped the
Insurrection will go well, and not prove haggly, or hang fire in the
details.

At any rate, next day, September 21st, Duke Franz, who arrived last
night,--and Baby with him, or in the train of him (to the joy of
Mamma!)--is in the Palace Audience-Hall, "at 8 A.M.;" ready for
the Diet, and what Homagings aud mutual Oath, as new Co-regent, are
necessary. Grand-Duke Franz, Mamma by his side, with the suitable
functionaries; and to rearward Nurse and Baby, not so conspicuous till
needed. Diet enters with the stroke of 8; solemnity proceeds. At the
height of the solemnity, when Duke Franz, who is really risen now to
something of a heroic mood, in these emergencies and perils, has just
taken his Oath, and will have to speak a fit word or two,--the Nurse,
doubtless on hint given, steps forward; holds up Baby (a fine noticing
fellow, I have no doubt,--"weighed sixteen pounds avoirdupois when
born"); as if Baby too, fine mutual product of the Two Co-regents, were
mutually swearing and appealing. Enough to touch any heart. "Life and
blood (VITAM ET SANGUINEM) for our Queen and Kingdom!" exclaims the
Grand-Duke, among other things. "Yes, VITAM ET SANGUINEM!" re-echoes
the Diet, "our life and our blood!" many-voiced, again and again;--and
returns to its own Place of Session, once more in a fine strain of loyal
emotion.

And there, O reader, is the naked truth, neither more nor less. It was
some Vienna Pamphleteer of theatrical imaginative turn, finding the
thing apt, a year or two afterwards--who by kneading different dates
and objects into one, boldly annihilating time and space, and adding a
little paint,--gave it that seductive mythical form. From whom Voltaire
adopted it, with improvements, especially in the little Harangue; and
from Voltaire gratefully the rest of mankind. [Voltaire, _Siecle de
Louis XV.,_ c. 6 (_OEuvres,_ xxviii. 78); Coxe, _House of Austria,_
iii. 270; and innumerable others (who give this Myth)]; _Maria Theresiens
Leben,_ p. 44 n. (who cites the Vienna Pamphleteers, without much
believing them); Mailath (a Hungarian), _Geschichte des OEsterrichischen
Kaiser-Staats_ (Hamburg, 1850), v. 11-13 (who explodes the fable). Cut
down to