P. 251, c. 1.—“Lutzen,” lŭtˈsen. A small town of Prussian Saxony, near
Leipsic. The battle between Gustavus Adolphus and Wallenstein took place
November 16, 1632. Napoleon defeated the allied Prussians and Russians
here in 1813.
“Treaty of Passau,” pâsˈsow. A town of Bavaria, at the confluence of the
Inn and Danube. This treaty was concluded in 1552 between Charles V.,
of Germany, and Maurice, of Saxony. It guaranteed religious freedom to
the German Protestants until a diet should be summoned to arrive at a
new settlement. In 1555 this diet was summoned at Augsburg, where peace
was made and the princes left free to establish the Lutheran or Catholic
faith.
“Pusillanimity,” pū-sil-la-nĭmˈi-ty. Weakness; cowardice.
P. 251, c. 2.—“Brabant,” brâ-bântˈ. One of the ancient divisions of the
Netherlands, lying south of Holland.
“Aix-la-Chapelle,” aiks-lă-shă-pel. Called in German, Aachen; situated in
Rhenish Prussia. This treaty was made in 1668. Louis gained by the war
several strong towns in the Netherlands.
“Stahremberg,” stahˈrem-berg. This was the second invasion of Vienna by
the Turks. It occurred in 1683.
“Sobieski,” sō-bi-ĕsˈki. (1629?-1696.) A Pole, educated in Paris. The
Cossacks having risen against the Polish government he joined the army
and so distinguished himself that he was given the chief command. The
Turks invading the country, Sobieski made a record which caused him to
be elected king upon the death of the monarch then ruling. His victory
at Vienna freed all Europe from the fear of the Turks, and Sobieski was
called the savior of christendom. His last years were embittered by civil
and domestic troubles.
“Ryswick,” rizeˈwik.
“Spanish Succession.” By the death of Charles II., of Spain, the house
then on the throne became extinct. His two brothers in-law, Louis XIV.,
of France, and Leopold I., of Austria, both claimed the throne for
princes of their families. Charles in a second will had appointed Philip,
the grandson of Louis XIV., as his successor, but Germany, England and
Holland contested the will. The war lasted thirteen years. The allies
gained several victories, but Philip secured the throne, although obliged
to give up several provinces.
“Blenheim,” blĕnˈheīm. A village of Bavaria on the Danube. This battle
took place August 13, 1704.
“Duke of Marlborough.” He commanded the English forces, while Prince
Eugene led the Austrians.
“Frederick the Great.” (1712-1786.) During the forty-six years of his
reign Frederick waged three important wars—the first and second Silesian
wars and the Seven Years’ war. The cause of each was his claim to the
province of Silesia. After the close of the third, in 1763, Frederick
devoted himself to the restoration and improvement of his country. It is
said that at his death he left to his nephew and successor, “a surplus
of $50,000,000, an army of 220,000 men, a territory increased by nearly
30,000 square miles, and an industrious, intelligent and happy population
of 6,000,000.”
P. 252, c. 1.—“Jena,” jēˈna, or yāˈnä; “Auerstädt,” öuˈer-stät.
“Rhine-Bund.” The confederation of the Rhine.
“Deutscher-Bund.” The German Confederation.
P. 252, c. 2.—“Zollverein,” zŏllˈver-eīn. A commercial league formed in
Germany for the purpose of establishing a uniform rate of customs.
“Versailles,” ver-sailzˈ.
“Wallenstein,” vâlˈlen-stine. (1583-1634.) An Austrian general.
“Cuirassier,” kwē-ras-sērˈ.
P. 253, c. 1.—“Croats.” Inhabitants of Croatia, a province of
Austro-Hungary.
“Gefreyter,” ga-friˈter. Corporal.
“Saxe-Lauenberg,” sax lowˈen-boorg. A German duchy.
“Saxe Weimar,” sax vīˈmar.