The Democratic Advocate

A Gay Revolution.

In 1848 a revolutionary movement threatened Austria and from the window of his office in Vienna, the well-known author, Grillparzer, had a view of the opening scenes of the revolution. He speaks of the behavior of the people during the first days of the revolution as "charming."

It was the gayest revolution imaginable, he wrote. Favored by the most beautiful spring weather, the entire population was in the streets from morning till night.

When the crowd reached the vicinity of the imperial Burg, where the military with their cannon had been stationed, there arose loud shouts of joy, which those within the Burg interpreted as threats against their lives; so that they conceded everything demanded by some impudent fellows, who represented themselves as deputies of the people. In fact, it became the fashion of any one who chose to do so to demand admission into the Burg, bring his fist down upon the table, and insult the archdukes to their faces.

Those who were inspired by the sincerest conviction, and who at the same time acted most absurdly, were the students, who considered themselves the heroes of the occasion. As there seemed to be some hesitation about granting a constitution, they wanted to storm the Burg. They thought less of victory than of the glory of dying for the cause of liberty. They scrambled for the honor of leading in the assault.

I have myself seen how the younger and weaker ones among them asked to be placed in front, so that, after they had been shot down, the older and stronger might be able to hurl themselves upon the guns before there was time to reload them.

At last the promise of a constitution was given. The Emperor drove through the streets. He was everywhere greeted with shouts of joy, cheers, expressions of love and devotion, the outbursts of true and loyal hearts.