MARIA THERESA.

From 1743 to 1748.

Prosperous Aspect of Austrian Affairs.—­Capture of Egra.—­Vast Extent of
Austria.—­Dispute with Sardinia.—­Marriage of Charles of Lorraine with
The Queen’s Sister.—­Invasion of Alsace.—­Frederic Overruns Bohemia.—­
Bohemia Recovered by Prince Charles.—­Death of the Emperor Charles
VII.—­Venality of the Old Monarchies.—­Battle of Hohenfriedberg.—­Sir
Thomas Robinson’s Interview with Maria Theresa.—­Hungarian
Enthusiasm.—­The Duke of Lorraine Elected Emperor.—­Continuation of the
War.—­Treaty of Peace.—­Indignation of Maria Theresa.

The cause of Maria Theresa, at the commencement of the year 1743, was triumphant all over her widely extended domains.  Russia was cordial in friendship.  Holland, in token of hostility to France, sent the queen an efficient loan of six thousand men, thoroughly equipped for the field.  The King of Sardinia, grateful for his share in the plunder of the French and Spanish provinces in Italy, and conscious that he could retain those spoils only by the aid of Austria, sent to the queen, in addition to the cooeperation of his armies, a gift of a million of dollars.  England, also, still anxious to check the growth of France, continued her subsidy of a million and a half, and also with both fleet and army contributed very efficient military aid.  The whole force of Austria was now turned against France.  The French were speedily driven from Bavaria; and Munich, the capital, fell into the hands of the Austrians.  The emperor, in extreme dejection, unable to present any front of resistance, sent to the queen entreating a treaty of neutrality, offering to withdraw all claims to the Austrian succession, and consenting to leave his Bavarian realm in the hands of Maria Theresa until a general peace.  The emperor, thus humiliated and stripped of all his territories, retired to Frankfort.

On the 7th of September Egra was captured, and the queen was placed in possession of all her hereditary domains.  The wonderful firmness and energy which she had displayed, and the consummate wisdom with which she had conceived and executed her measures, excited the admiration of Europe.  In Vienna, and throughout all the States of Austria, her popularity was unbounded.  After the battle of Dettingen, in which her troops gained a decisive victory, as the queen was returning to Vienna from a water excursion, she found the banks of the Danube, for nine miles, crowded with her rejoicing subjects.  In triumph she was escorted into the capital, greeted by every demonstration of the most enthusiastic joy.