by Belcredi, of the majority in the diets of Bohemia, Moravia, Carniola, and Galicia, they scrupulously abstained from pledging themselves to send delegates to the "Extraordinary Reichsrath, though they insinuated that they might possibly do so, provided that body, by its exclusively consultative character, should not have the power to prejudice the resolutions of the Diets. While everybody was preparing for the approaching electoral contest, the negotiations of Baron Beust for the compromise with Hungary were making great progress, and the deputation of the Hungarian Diet, which was received by the Emperor on the 8th of January, 1867, although ostensibly charged to present the congratulations of the country, was really sent only to further and assist in the completion of the work. This deputation --which was headed by the most prominent of the Hungarian leaders, Count Andrassy-after reporting its success to Déak on the 14th of January, 1867, returned to Vienna on the 19th of the same month. Already, on the 23rd, the Emperor declared, in reply to the address voted by the Hungarian Diet against the octroyé supplementary

army law, that "He would be ready to accede to the wishes of the country so soon as the difficulties which still hindered the formation of a responsible Hungarian Ministry were removed." These obstacles soon began to vanish before the united action of Beust and Andrassy, and with them passed away the feeling of distrust against the Hungarians which Belcredi had endeavoured to instil into the minds of men of the highest position in the State. The Diet at Pesth, or rather the Committee of sixty-seven members of the Lower House, basing their deliberations upon the agreement come to at Vienna, commenced the discussion of the project concerning the State affairs which were to be regarded as common to both halves of the Empire, and thus, to a certain extent, endeavoured finally to establish the wording of the enactment for the compromise. Events in Western Austria kept pace with those in Hungary. For although, in consequence of the influence brought to bear by Count Belcredi upon the great landed proprietors and upon the legion of State officials, the elections for the Bohemian, Moravian, Carniolan and Galician Diets resulted in a decided

victory of the National and Federalistic party, the Count could not rely upon the majorities of these Diets sending their delegates to the "Extraordinary Reichsrath." They maintained an obstinate silence as to their intentions, and their electoral speeches, in so far as they contained protests against the compromise with Hungary, mostly indicated the existence of Federalistic tendencies. The recognition, on the other hand, of the necessity of such a compromise, assumed a more decided character at the elections in the specifically German provinces, and in the ranks of the Germano-Bohemian Constitutional party. In conformity with the mot d'ordre of the day, the elections in these parts of the Empire were carried through in a manner decidedly favourable to Hungary; and, although it was insisted upon that to render the compromise with Hungary perfect, it would be necessary to submit it to the approval of the Cis-Leithan Empire, yet many symptoms were observable in these quarters which led to the conclusion that the final acceptance of the project, the conditions of which had become pubiic, might safely be calculated upon. Count

Belcredi was completely checkmated. He could not win the game with the last piece he had played, the "Extraordinary Reichsrath," for the Germans declined all participation in it, and the Sclaves remained passive spectators, so that in the most favourable event he could only have got together a "Rump Parliament." In like manner, his former line of policy prevented him from being able to convoke the ordinary Reichsrath. It was evident that both himself and his notions of government had become political impossibilities which must be at once removed; and the Emperor accordingly, on the 7th of February, 1867, signed the decree depriving him of his office. Simultaneously with the dismissal of Dismissal Belcredi, Baron Beust was appointed Prime Belcredi, and appointment Minister, with the charge of the Ministry of of Baron Police and the Presidency of the Council of Prime Ministers. Matters now progressed with extraordinary rapidity. On the 18th of February, an Imperial message was communicated to the Diets, stating that the idea of an "Extraordinary Reichsrath" had been altogether abandoned; that the Constitutional Reichsrath would be convoked

of Count

Beust as

Minister.

on the 18th of March, 1867; and that the following important bills, among others, would then be brought in-1st. For the necessary modifications in the Constitution consequent on the compromise with Hungary. 2nd. For the creation of a responsible Ministry. 3rd. For the extension of autonomical government in the provinces. 4th. For the alteration and improvement of the system of National Defences. 5th. For the amelioration of the mode of judicial procedure.

Baron Beust had now established the two leading features of his policy: the compromise with Hungary, and the restoration of parliamentary rule throughout the Empire. What remained for him to do was to carry out the details of these great changes, so that the burthens as well as the advantages of them should be distributed equally between Hungary and Western Austria. And here he showed remarkable tact, for, having once more recalled to life the Parliamentary Government of the country, he abstained from further interference, and left the finishing strokes to the great assemblies of the people. The dismissal of Belcredi greatly facilitated the final