118 исторических миниатюр и 108 авторских текстов на 13 иностранных языках. Сборник
Шрифт:
– 'Gentlemen!' - Yevgeny Tarle has looked at Christian Insarov and Andrei Kamensky.
– 'I am glad to our meeting on Neva Embankment.
I inform you that I am going to interview Mr. Metternich. He is in St. Petersburg now. He is living in the Winter Palace. On the embankment makes morning walks.
I got a recommendation. I hope that the Prince won't refuse a small interview.
I invite you to join me. It is clear, that in a short conversation we won't be able to ask many questions. But we will evince interest from the different points of view. For work on our books it will be useful. The Prince Metternich - the historical personality. His years of life:1773-1859.'
Insarov has smiled.
– 'Who would refuse such an offer? Of course, I agree with pleasure', - said Kamensky.
– 'I hurry to join', - Insarov has added.
Writers have gone on the embankment to the alleged meeting place with the Prince Metternich.
Three human figures showed up ahead.
One of these three people differed from the imperceptible satellites in clothes, gait, a look, facial expression.
Academician Tarle has compared the portraits of Prince Metternich, earlier were previously seen by him, with the external appearance of a man going towards writers. He understood that Prince Metternich was before them. Apparently, the inconspicuous people were the guards.
Yevgeny Tarle has approached Metternich, has slightly raised a hat and has said:
– 'May I introduce myself, mister Metternich. Academician Tarle.'
The Prince has kindly looked at Yevgeny Tarle and his companions.
Yevgeny Tarle has added:
– 'Sergei Yulyevich Witte has recommended to me to address You, having referred to his positive recommendations. And to ask You to give an interview. I and my colleagues - misters Insarov and Kamensky - we write books on historical themes, about historic personalities. We'd like to ask you questions about Your identity, about Your activities.'
– 'Sergei Yulyevich!..' - the Prince has repeated the told name.
– 'Yes... I am ready to hear questions from you, respected Academician Tarle, and from your colleagues, respected writers Insarov and Kamensky. Please join me for a walk.'
The Prince and writers were going along the embankment. They were followed by the guard of the Prince.
– 'Mr. Metternich!
– there has begun the Academician Tarle.
– You were one of the most famous European leaders during Napoleon's era and after his leaving from political arena. The maintaining integrity of the territory of France in 1814 and 1815 - merit of the Prince Talleyrand. But before preservation of the territory of France there were circumstances which have demanded preservation of the territory of the Habsburg monarchy.'
– 'Esteemed Academician! I'll let myself have certain initiative in our conversation. You, as I have heard, intend to ask me questions about my identity, about my activities. For an orderly presentation of the information during the subsequent conversation I will formulate a general biographical thesis: "I was creating history!".'
Yevgeny Tarle, Christian Insarov and Andrei Kamensky with obvious respect have looked at Metternich.
The Prince Metternich has continued:
– 'I was working in the interests of the Habsburg monarchy. In 1867 the Habsburg Empire has turned into the dualistic monarchy - Austria-Hungary. Both to, and after 1867 the Empire was among the largest and most influential European states. For this reason, being on service of this Empire, I was creating history.
I will add that from 1438 to 1806 the representatives of the Austrian Habsburgs held the title of Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation (with the exception of the Emperor Charles V, representative of the Spanish Habsburgs, 1519-1556). The Holy Roman Empire was founded in 962. In the period of the Napoleonic wars, Francis II was forced in 1806 to abandon the title of Emperor of "Sacred Roman Empire", retaining adopted in 1804 the title of Emperor of Austria.
I will return to your question, Mr. Academician.
Until 1812, military operations between the troops of Napoleon and the armies of the Habsburg monarchy were ending, mainly in favor of Napoleon. The victories of Napoleon during this period have led to internal and external disorganization of the Habsburg monarchy.
But we have received a respite by the conclusion of dynastic marriage between the daughter of the Emperor Francis II, Maria Louise, and Napoleon.
The Habsburg monarchy for a while became the state, dependent on Napoleonic France. Nevertheless, Empire have kept an essential part of the territory. The territory managed to be preserved because of combination of circumstances, as a result of military and diplomatic efforts. My activities in the diplomatic sphere was very energetic.
After 1812 the position of the Habsburg monarchy as influential state of Europe began to be restored. The territory also was reinstated. The Habsburg monarchy became one of the leading European states again. In such succession of events there is also my merit.
Both in heavy, and in favorable times, I held important posts. Therefore I had the opportunity to create history. And therefore I was creating history.
In 1806 - 1809 I was the Ambassador in Paris. I often communicated with Napoleon. In 1809-1821 I am - Minister of Foreign Affairs and actually the head of the government of the Austrian Empire. In 1821 - 1848 years I am - the Chancellor of the Empire.'
Writers respectfully looked at the Prince.
– 'What was your mission, mister Metternich, at fulfillment of duties of the actual head of the government and at the chancellor's position?' - Insarov have asked the question .
– 'The mission was determined by cultural, historical and geographical conditions. The Habsburg Empire was also called the "Danube" Empire (Danube Monarchy). The Danube is a river of an enormous length.
The Empire united the different nations. Mostly - European. The Austrian Empire was the European country. Therefore one of components of my mission - cultural. Development of the European culture.