Not a red-letter year, by any means, in Austria's war-calendar, this 1859, whose mere citation marks another stage in the decline of her erstwhile glory. Even before that fateful 1st of January, on which the Austrian ambassador received a covert declaration of hostility, disguised as a New Year's wish, the Italian provinces, subjugated in 1849, had begun once more to stir, turning hopeful eyes towards Paris. If Napoleon III had held his hand so long, this was due only to the exhaustion following upon the Crimean war. Obviously France had required a rest. By the New Year's Day afore-mentioned her ruler evidently thought that she had rested long enough. Austria, on her side, as evidently considered herself ready for the fight, for she was not slow to take up the challenge.

Events, however, proved that the Dual Empire was wrapped in more than one delusion.

It would here take too long to analyse the causes which paralysed an army formed of what may confidently be asserted to be—both physically and morally—prime soldier material. Some have blamed the want of money, others the want of leaders, others again the preponderance of the aristocratic element—personal intrigue—or else simply that national insouciance which forms at once the weakness and the charm of the Austrian character. In nothing was the happy-go-lucky element so apparent as in the choice of a commander-in-chief.