The environs of Vienna picturesque. On the north it lies the beautiful ',elands of the Danube; on the west the lofty Kahlcse berg Mountain ; on the south hills covered with thick forests and rich vineyards, tho Norio Alps commencing with the Sohneeborg, and towards afedlio and Baden a dark circle of hills, valleys, ruins of Mart, antique churches, modern palaces, and handsome country-seats. The imperial palaces of Schaubrunn and Luxemburg are at a short distance from tho city.
The climate of Vienna is extremely variable, great heat being often raddeuly followed by severe cold, Tho isleuds and the parts of the city next the river axe subject to inundations, and the atmosphere is frequently foggy.
The inhabitants of Vienna are a gay, friendly, and hospitable people, among whom a stranger quickly fiuds himself at home. Beggars are not seen iu the streets, and one may traverse them at all hours wsthout meeting with any kind of diatarbance or annoyance. Breaches of the peace are rare, cases of drunkenness seldom occur, and gaming-houses are unknown. Among the virtues of the Viennese charity is pre eminent. They are also devoted to pleasure. Literary societies are however very numerous, and the higher classes are very accomplished. French, English, and Italian are eurreutly spoken, as well as the native German. The ladies are extraordinary proficienta in music, of which they are excessively fund.
Vienna, called by the Romans Vindobona, was long the head quarters of a Roman legion, and the capital of Pannonia. When the Roman power declined, it was overrun by the Cloths and lluns, till, in 791, Charlemagne annexed It to his dominions. It was then nod long
afterwards of small extent ; St. Stephen's cathedral, now in the centre of the city, being when erected in 1114 without the walls. It how ever increased progressively from the mercantile advantages of its situation, and by being the usual residence of the dukes and emperors. The most remarkable events in its annals are the various sieges which it has sustained. In 1484 it was taken by Mathias, king of Hungary, who resided in it till his death, when it was restored to Austria. In 1529 the Turks, assisted by the Hungarian insureents, approached the city and destroyed the suburbs. In 1619 the Bohemian insurgents, supported by a party in Austria, succeeded in penetrating into the city, but were almost immediately expelled. In 1625 it was threatened by the Swedish general Torstenson. In 1678 the plague carried off in the city 49,436 persons, and 73,323 in the suburbs. In 1633 the city was besieged by a Turkish army, and reduced to extreme distress, when it was relieved by John Sobieski, king of Poland, who, with C0,000 men, totally defeated the Turkish army of nearly 200,000. In 1797 it was threatened by Napoleon I., and occupied by him in 1S05 add 1809. Strict discipline was observed by his troops ou both occasions. A Congress was held at Vienna in 1814-15, at which the territorial and political stabs of Europe was settled after the downfal of Napoleon I. In the troubled period that followed the last French revolution, Vienna was for a time iu the hands of insurgents. The city was taken after a bombardment by the Austrian army under Prince Windischgratz on the 1st of November 1848.