for many long years, are known to all who take an interest in the inner and domestic history of Austria during the period of its then ruler's omnipotence. Thirty years of age when he first took his place in the society of the capital, he was a handsome man, slender and well built, attractive in manner, refined and elegant, with an open countenance which united liveliness with good nature, full of chivalrous courtesy of bearing. Even in advanced years he retained something very winning, which gave expression both to his consistent high breeding, and to his kindness of heart. He was a member of an aristocracy for which, at that time, after the rapid collapse of the revolutionary movements in the south of Europe, the stream of politics seemed, notwithstanding certain occasional ominous symptoms in France, to be flowing smoothly and evenly, and to leave the amplest room for those social pleasures which made the centre of existence. His marriage with a young lady of one of the noblest Hungarian families seemed settled, when a rival crossed his path, whom he had certainly not expected. The young lady was the Gräfin Mélanie Zichy Ferraris—at that time nineteen years of age: the rival was Prince Clemens Lothar von Metternich, fifty-six years old, who had recently lost his second wife Antonie von Leykam, created on her marriage Gräfin von Beilstein. On the 30th of January, 1831, the marriage took place between the Prince and the Gräfin Mélanie.
Hügel had left home in the previous year. He went first to England, then to France. In both countries he was busily preparing for a journey to the East, and meanwhile made many friendships. Embarking at Toulon[1], he remained for a short time on the mainland of Greece
- ↑ May 1831, in the French man-of-war d'Assas. A. v. H.
