apparently almost miraculous interposition.  The imperial troops were rapidly concentrated in the vicinity of Vienna, to prevent the passage of the broad, deep and rapid river by the allied army.  A strong force was dispatched down the right bank of the Danube, which attacked and dispersed a force left to protect the communication with Hungary.  The season was far advanced, and it was intensely cold in those northern latitudes.  The allied army had been collected so suddenly, that no suitable provision had been made for feeding so vast a host.  Famine added its terrors to the cold blasts which menacingly swept the plains, and as there was imminent danger that the imperial army might cut off entirely the communication of the allies with Hungary, Gabriel Bethlehem decided to relinquish the enterprise of taking Vienna, and retired unimpeded to Presburg.  Almost every fortress in Hungary was now in the possession of the Hungarians, and Ferdinand, though his capital was released, saw that Hungary as well as Bohemia had escaped from his hands.  At Presburg Gabriel was, with imposing ceremonies, proclaimed King of Hungary, and a decree of proscription and banishment was issued against all the adherents of Ferdinand.

Germany was now divided into two great leagues, the Catholic and the Protestant.  Though nominally religious parties, they were political as well as religious, and subject to all the fluctuations and corruptions attending such combinations.  The Protestant league, composed of princes of every degree of dignity, who came from all parts of Germany, proudly mounted and armed, and attended by armed retainers, from a few score to many hundreds or even thousands, met at Nuremburg.  It was one of the most influential and imposing assemblages which had ever gathered in Europe.  The Catholics, with no less display of pomp and power, for their league embraced many of the haughtiest sovereigns in Europe, met at Wurtzburg.  There were, of course, not a few who were entirely indifferent as to the religious questions involved, and who were Catholics or Protestants, in subserviency to the dictates of interest or ambition.  Both parties contended with the arts of diplomacy as well as with those of war.  The Spanish court was preparing a powerful armament to send from the Netherlands to the help of Ferdinand.  The Protestants sent an army to Ulm to watch their movements, and to cut them off.

Ferdinand was as energetic as he had previously proved himself inflexible and persevering.  In person he visited Munich, the capital of Bavaria, that he might more warmly interest in his favor Maximilian, the illustrious and warlike duke.  The emperor made him brilliant promises, and secured his cordial cooeperation.  The Duke of Bavaria, and the Elector of the Palatinate, were neighbors and rivals; and the emperor offered Maximilian the spoils of the Palatinate, if they should be successful in their warfare against the newly elected Bohemian king.  Maximilian, thus persuaded, placed all his force at the disposal of the emperor.