“Ought not sovereigns,” said the embassador, “to seek the glory of religion and the happiness of their subjects?  Such are the principles which have ever guided the emperor.  If he has waged war, it has never been from the love of false glory, nor to seize the territories of others, but to punish those who have dared to provoke him.  Despising danger, he has been seen in battle, exposing himself like the humblest soldier, and gaining victories against superior forces because the Almighty lends his arm to aid the virtuous.

“The Emperor of Germany is now reposing in the bosom of tranquillity.  The pope and all the princes of Italy have become his allies.  Spain, Naples, Sicily and twenty-six other realms recognize his grandson, Charles V., for their legitimate and hereditary monarch.  The King of Portugal is attached to him by the ties of relationship, and the King of England by the bonds of sincere friendship.  The sovereigns of Denmark and Hungary have married the grand-daughters of Maximilian, and the King of Poland testifies to unbounded confidence in him.  I will not speak of your majesty, for the Emperor of Russia well knows how to appreciate the sentiments of the Emperor of Germany.

“The King of France and the republic of Venice, influenced by selfish interests, and disregarding the prosperity of Christianity, have taken no part in this fraternal alliance of all the rest of Europe; but they are now beginning to manifest a love for peace, and I have just learned that a treaty is about to be concluded with them, also.  Let any one now cast a glance over the world and he will see but one Christian prince who is not attached to the Emperor Maximilian either by the ties of friendship or affection.  All Christian Europe is in profound peace excepting Russia and Poland.

“Maximilian has sent me to your majesty, illustrious monarch, to entreat you to restore repose to Christianity and to your states.  Peace causes empires to flourish; war destroys their resources and hastens their downfall.  Who can be sure of victory?  Fortune often frustrates the wisest plans.

“Thus far I have spoken in the name of my master.  I wish now to add, that on my journey I have been informed, by the Turkish embassador himself, that the sultan has just captured Damascus, Jerusalem and all Egypt.  A traveler, worthy of credence, has confirmed this deplorable intelligence.  If, before these events, the power of the sultan inspired us with just fear, ought not this success of his arms to augment our apprehensions?”

Russia and Poland had long been engaged in a bloody frontier war, each endeavoring to wrest provinces from the other; but Russia was steadily on the advance.  The embassage of Maximilian was not productive of peace.  On the contrary, Vassili immediately sent an embassador to Vienna to endeavor to secure the aid of Austria in his war with Poland.  Maximilian received the envoy with very extraordinary marks of