STEPHEN, ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA AND GOVERNOR OF BOHEMIA.

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The archduke Stephen was born on the 14th of September, 1817, and is the only child of the Palatine by his second wife. The young prince was educated by his father with the most tender care; and whilst his progress in knowledge gave rise to the most promising hopes of future eminence, an event occurred which gave him an early and honourable claim to the public esteem. The princes of the house of Austria have always devoted themselves with noble courage, in times of public danger; and when, in March, 1839, a terrible inundation ravaged and threatened with destruction a great part of the flourishing city of Pesth, destroying the dwellings of thousands, and causing confusion and despair throughout the city, the young prince hastened to the scene of danger, and by his intrepidity and presence of mind greatly contributed to lessen the horrors of the flood, and to restore and animate the public confidence. He was indefatigable in seconding the benevolent exertions of his father, and the popularity which he thus early acquired has been increased by his judicious activity in his new sphere of action-the kingdom of Bohemia. In 1843 he made a tour through Germany, bestowing great attention upon the political and social economy of the different states, and observing the working of the constitutions-so different from the institutions of his native country.

The predominance of the provincial system is a peculiar and fundamental feature of Austrian government. Some of its states are as independent of each other as Sweden and Norway, and only united de facto, by being under the rule of the same sovereign. But even in those states which are more intimately connected, the Austrian government, with its characteristic fear of change, has preserved, as much as possible, the single and peculiar rights of the states which they enjoyed at the period when they came under the Austrian sceptre, believing that they would be much more likely to acquiesce in the transfer of sovereignty if left in possession of their ancient forms, under the superintendence, nominal or real, of their own magistrates. And it is, perhaps, this peculiarity which has maintained so many countries, speaking so many different languages, under her peaceful rule, for Austria possesses no overpowering centre of amalgamation; she has gradually, slowly, and in most instances quietly, acquired her various component states, and without the possession of a single state the superiority of which could give law to the rest. But the majesty of the sovereign, as Emperor of Germany and representative of the Roman Empire, was not without its influence; and thus, during the continuance of the German empire, the culture and the prevailing tone in the different Austrian states were decidedly German.

But when the Confederation of the Rhine, under Napoleon, destroyed the European influence, and even the very name of the Emperor of Germany was extinguished, the principles upon which the Austrian government had been hitherto

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based could not but undergo a change. The momentous events of the war fortunately prevented a violent burst of national feeling; nevertheless, the preservation of their own rights and liberties became the principal object of the different Austrian states, whilst the circumstances which had deprived the Emperor of Austria of his more imposing title of Emperor of Germany, rendered it necessary to draw the national bond more closely than before. Fortunately, the imperial family, in its numerous branches, possessed many young and hopeful princes, who could confer on the provinces the splendour of a princely rule, whilst, by their union with the emperor, they could pave the way for a mild and gradual centralization. This favourable opportunity was not adopted to its full extent during the life of the Emperor Francis, who was jealous of retaining the sole dominion in his own hand. The appointment of the Archduke Stephen, which has already been attended with many beneficial effects in Bohemia, indicates a change of policy, which will unite the different component states still more closely with the court of Vienna, although it is highly probable that the course of events will, at no very distant period, force a departure from the stationary principles so long enforced under the government of Prince Metternich, and which, more particularly in her external relations, have by no means tended to raise Austria in the opinion of Germany. Of this favourite tendency the autocrat of all the Russias has ably availed himself, to secure advantages, which, by right of position, with somewhat more energy, would doubtless have devolved to Austria.

FELICIEN DAVID.

THIS favourite composer, whose symphonic ode representing life in the Desert has suddenly raised him, after a youth of difficulties and privations, to fame and competency, was born in 1810, in the little town of Cadenet, department of Vaucluse, in the south of France. He gave indications of his musical genius from his earliest years, and his performances, even in his fourth and fifth year, excited the admiration of all who heard him. M. Garnier, a distinguished professor, prophesied his future eminence, and his parents, who were too poor to procure him the necessary instruction, sent him to Aix, where he began his musical education as a chorister. There he afterwards entered the Jesuit college, devoting himself, with all the perseverance of youthful fervour, to the study of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Cherubini. At the age of sixteen, on leaving the college, he entered a solicitor's