METTERNICH, CLEMENS WENZEL NEPOMIIK LOTHAR, Prince von Metternich, ancl duke of Pontella, an eminent Austrian diplomatist and statesman, was b. at Coblenz, May 15, 1773. His father, FRANZ GEORG KARL, count von Metternich, was also an Austrian diplomatist, and an associate of Kaunitz. He represented a very ancient and distinguished family, whose original seat was in Jillich. Young 3Ietternich was edu cated at the university of Strasburg, and afterwards studied law at Mainz and traveled in England. In 1795 he married the gmnddaughter and heiress of the celebrated minis ter Kaunitz, by whom he acquired large estates. His diplomatic career commenced at the congress of Rastadt, which he attended as representative of the Westphalian counts. His rise was very rapid: he added to the advantages of his birth and conneotions, a more than ordinary share of diplomatic ability, with the most graceful and winning manners. In 1801 he became Austrian ambassador at Drdden; and on the outbreaking of the third coalition war, he negotiated the treaty of alliance between Austria, Prussia, and Russia. In 180G he went as ambassador to Paris, and concluded, in 1807, the treaty of Fontainebleau, very favorable to the interests of Austria; but on the outbreaking of the war between France and Austria in 1809, he was detained some time ere he could obtain his passport. In course of that year, he succeeded count von Stadion as minister of foreign affairs, concluded the treaty of peace with the French minister Champagny, and accompanied the empress Maria Louisa to Paris. He guided the course of Austria amidst the difficulties of 1812-13. He maintained at first a temporizing policy and a scheme of an armed mediation of Austria; but the obstinacy of Napoleon reduced him to the necessity of adopting at last a decided step, and led him to resolve upon that declaration of war by Austria against France, which took place in Aug., 1813, and he subsequently conducted with great ability the negotiations which ended in the com pletion of the quadruple alliance. On the eve of the battle of Leipzic, the emperor of
Austria bestowed upon him the princely dignity. He was afterwards employed in almost all the chief diplomatic affairs of that eventful time; and after the congress of Chatillon and negotiations with the count d'Artois, lie went to Paris, and signed the convention of Fontainebleau with Napoleon, went to England to negotiate concerning a new. quad ruple alliance, and attended the congress of Vienna, of which he was unanimously elected president. He signed, as Austrian plenipotentiary, the second peace of Paris Nov. 20, 181'5. After this, he continued still to conduct the diplomacy of Austria, and in 1821 was appointed chancellor (liaus-, Ileund Staatskanzler), and in 1826 succeeded count Zichy ix the presidency of ministerial conferences on horhe affairs. IIis efforts were now earnestly directed to the maintneence of peace in Europe, and the preservation of the existing state of things in the Austrian dominions by the strictest measures of police and severe despotism. The revolutionary movement of 184-8 breaking forth with sudden violence, caused the aged minister to flee from Austria, and to seek refuge in England; nor did he return to Vienna till the end of 1851, when he received great marks of honor and favor from the emperor; but although sometimes consulted, he was never again asked to undertake the cares of office. He died at Vienna, June 11, 1859. The general opinion respecting Metternich has been well expressed by the Times newspaper: " lie was renowned rather than great, clever rather than wise, venerated more for his age than his power, admired but not lamented." His son Richard became ambassador at the court of Napoleon III. after the peace of Villafranea.