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their Excellencies the Spanish and Dutch Ambassadors, with several other Foreign Ministers, together with the nobility and principal gentry in great numbers. All which his Majesty was graciously pleased to accept, sending from table a message to his Grace the Chancellor, that he drank to him, and wished prosperity to the University of Cambridge. Immediately after dinner, his Majesty returned to Newmarket through infinite throngs of people, who crowded from all parts to have the happiness of seeing his Majesty."

SIEGE OF VIENNA IN 1683*.

The capital of Austria having a second time. fallen into the power of the French, within a very short period, after resistance which hardly de

serves the name, it may be proper to compare the

successful defence of the above date with the wellknown facts attending the recent surrender. The narrative now given was compiled from the account published by the British government immediately on the receipt of it from the Austrian court.

The Turks, having assembled in great force, made an irruption into Hungary, compelling the Duke of Lorrain, who commanded the Austrian army, to repass the Raab, retire under the walls of Altenburgh, and separate his infantry and cavalry by sending the latter to the island of Schutz, in the Danube. At this critical moment, the

* See the annexed plan, engraved from a curious German print in my possession,

Duke

Duke received the melancholy intelligence, that the Hungarians, on whom he depended for the protection of the Raab, had betrayed their trust. A rapid retreat of the Imperialists was so promptly pursued by the Turks, that the van and rear of the two armies were warmly engaged, when the Prince of Savoy was mortally wounded.

The Duke arrived in the neighbourhood of Vienna on the 8th of July; and at nine o'clock the same evening their Imperial Majesties and family departed for Lintz. This event produced ungovernable dismay throughout the city; numbers fled in every direction; but the governor, Prince Stahremberg, having entered the town on the 8th, with the assistance of Count de Capheres, made every possible effort to improve the defences, and particularly by planting pallisadoes on the counterscarp. On the 11th and following day, six regiments of Imperial infantry entered; when the garrison, including 1500 men of the regiment of Stahremberg, consisted of 14,500 foot, and 1000 horse, exclusive of from 12 to 15,000 citizens, capable of bearing arms.

The 13th of July was appropriated to the horrid task of destroying the suburbs, composed of more than five thousand houses and sixteen palaces; the whole of which, with their valuable contents, were reduced to ashes. On the succeeding day, eleven regiments of cavalry, seven of dragoons, three of Croats, and sixteen troops of Polish horse, marched through the city, and

crossed

THE

AR

[graphic]

La Favorite Palace,the head quarters of the Grand Vizier, at the Siege of Vienna.1683.

Published by Longman & Cu

Malcolm sc.

crossed the Danube, on their route to Corne Neubourg. Four large boats, laden with ammunition, reached the town the same day; with which the Turks contrived to introduce incendiaries, who succeeded in burning several houses near the principal magazine; but, being discovered, the populace seized them, and they were literally flayed alive, and thus dragged along the streets.

During this dread interval of preparation, the enemy advanced into Austria; the Tartars, composing part of their number, committing the most shocking acts of barbarous atrocity. On the 15th, Vienna was formally invested by 150,000 men. The Grand Vizier took possession of the Empress Dowager's palace, called La Favorite*, and made it his head-quarters; he ordered the trenches to be opened immediately, and some guns were fired at the town before the close of the day. On the 16th, they opened three batteries, and discharged many bombs; and the Turks obtained possession of Leopoldstadt, and another small island in the night. Amongst the casualties of this day was a wound received by the Prince-governor, who was contused in the head by a stone forced out of its place by a cannon-ball.

From the above date till the 19th, they advanced their works; and sallies were made by the besieged under a very heavy discharge of cannon on both sides. The 20th, a battery opened from Leo

* See annexed view of the ruins as in 1724.

poldstadt,

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