AUSTRIA TOO CAUTIOUS TO RISK WAR?This man didn’t see WWI coming.

From John Corson’s travelogue, 1848:

The Austrian government was intrusive.  

• My baggage was searched for seditious publications.
• To obtain a permit to remain in Vienna, I had to give the names of the friends to whom I had letters of introduction, the business that brought e to Vienna, the time I wished to remain, and the studies and pursuits I intended to follow.
• They also required me to fully declare his intentions, much as a father does when speaking to  the suitor of his daughter.
• Friends warned me that the police kept an eye on visitors, and if you talk politics freely in the cafes, you will probably hear of them, and if you are refractory and very meddlesome, you may be sent to the frontier under an escort.

Corson fully expected to find a land of despotism and darkness.

• It came as a surprise to find that the common people are the most carefully educated of any country in Europe, except Prussia. Books and instruction are free. No person can marry or set up in business without a written certificate that they have attended school.
• At the same time, education serves as a means of indoctrination. The government makes sure that its favourite religion (Catholicism) and passive loyalty are carefully taught.

Austria strenuously opposed all liberal tendencies, Corson found.

• Doubtless her leading motive is fear. ..She is much weakened by being divided into several distinct nations differing in language and religion, some of whom are discontented. Parts of Galicia were in a state of dangerous anarchy. Hungary demanded more reforms. Bohemia was asking for an extension of its liberties. Austrian Italy is seeking for a constitution.
• But Corson was convinced that such unrest would not lead to war. Austria is probably too cautious and temporizing to risk an aggressive war.

But revolts broke out in the very year Corson published his travelogue. And two generations later…WWI.

(From Dr. John W. Corson, Loiterings in Europe, 1848)

HOW TO ACHIEVE “CONTENTED GAYETY” IN VIENNA, 1848

When John Corson visited Vienna in 1848, what struck him most about Viennese was their contented gayety. How do they achieve this sublime state of Gemütlichkeit?

• First of all: The Viennese drink wine.
• Also: Food, clothing, the necessaries, and even the luxuries of life are exceedingly cheap.
• And – Harper and Wynne, listen up! –the government, for political purposes, carefully assists in providing for the amusement of all classes. They stage shows to prevent them from thinking of politics.

Good advice on Viennese etiquette:

• It is a mortal offense to enter into any establishment without taking your hat off.
• If a woman is married to a government official, she must be addressed by her husband’s title, with a female ending: Madame Directress, Madame Judgess, Madame Generaless.
• It is customary to address persons by titles above their real rank, and to be profuse with compliments.
• A customary form of saying good-bye to a lady was (and is): I kiss your hand, gracious madam. To Corson’s great surprise, the action is sometimes suited to the word, and the gentleman actually kisses the lady’s hand!

(From Dr. John W. Corson, Loiterings in Europe, 1848)