The Bohemians of the middling and poorer classes, have certainly less sincerity and straight-forwardness than their neighbours.  An anecdote is related illustrative of the slyness of the Bohemians, compared with the simple honesty of the German, and the candid unscrupulousness of the Hungarian:  “During the late war, three soldiers, of each of these three nations, met in the parlour of a French inn, over the chimney-piece of which hung a watch.  When they had gone, the German said, ‘That is a good watch; I wish I had bought it.’  ’I am sorry I did not take it,’ said the Hungarian.  ‘I have it in my pocket,’ said the Bohemian.”

The rising man in the empire is the Bohemian Baron Kubeck, who is thoroughly acquainted with every detail in the economical condition of Austria.  The great object of this able financier is to cut down the expenses of the empire.  No doubt that it would be unwise for Austria, an inland state, to reduce her military expenses; but the viel-schreiberei might be diminished, and the pruning-hook might safety be applied to the bureaucracy; but a powerful under-current places this region beyond the power of Baron Kubeck.  He is also a free-trader; but here again he meets with a powerful opposition:  no sooner does he propose a modification of the tariff, than the saloons of the Archdukes are filled with manufacturers and monopolists, who draw such a terrific picture of the ruin which they pretend is to overwhelm them, that the government, true to its tradition of never doing any thing unpopular, of always avoiding collision with public opinion, and of protecting vested interests, even to the detriment of the real interest of the public, draws back; and the old jog-trot is maintained.

The mass of the aristocracy continues as usual without the slightest political influence, or the slightest taste for state affairs.  The Count or Prince of thirty or forty thousand a year, is as contented with his chamberlain’s key embroidered on his coat-skirt, as if he controlled the avenues to real power; but the silent operation of an important change is visible in all the departments of the internal government of Austria.  The national reforms of the Emperor Joseph were too abrupt and sweeping to be salutary.  By good luck the reaction which they produced being co-incident with the first French Revolution, the firebrands which that great explosion scattered over all monarchical Europe, fell innocuous in Austria.  The second French revolution rather retarded than accelerated useful reforms.  Now that the fear of democracy recedes, an inclination for salutary changes shows itself everywhere.  A desire for incorporations becomes stronger, and the government shows none of its quondam anxiety about public companies and institutions.  The censorship has been greatly relaxed, and many liberal newspapers and periodicals, formerly excluded, are now frequently admitted.  Any one who knew Austria some years ago, would be surprised to see the “Examiner,” and “Constitutionnel” lying on the tables of the Clubs.