Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Sidor ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
714 NOTES TO VOLUME I.
thought about men was determined by gain, and not by their merit
or their excellence of life. In his mind he always showed a pre
ference for and praised him from whom he received or might receive
gain, and he inveighed against those from whom he did not derive,
nor hoped to derive any advantage. Such was his character and his
nature, and hence he became altogether stupid, thinking that the
world was everything."
NOTE 131 ,
STANISLAUS LECZINSKY.
?
Stanislaus Leczinsky, King of Poland, who is mentioned in the
Introduction to Document 172, page 484, was born at Lemberg in
1677. His father, Rafael Leczinsky, was one of the most opulent
nobles of Poland. As early as 1699 young Stanislaus was sent as
Polish ambassador to Turkey, and in 1704 to Charles XII, after he
had defeated Augustus II, and deposed him from the throne of
Poland. In his capacity of ambassador, Stanislaus made such a
favourable impression on Charles, that he resolved to have him
created King of Poland. This took place in 1705. The further
particulars of his life until 1733 will be found in the Introduction
mentioned above. There it is stated that Stanislaus reigned in Poland
till 1709, when, upon the defeat of Charles XII at Pultawa, he was
dethroned, and, after staying for some time in Sweden, went in 1723
to Weissenburg in Alsace. After the death of Augustus II in 1733,
Stanislaus was again proclaimed King of Poland by a faction of the
Polish nobility, and went to Dantzic. He was, however, defeated by
Augustus III, with the help of Russia. Besieged by the Russians
in Dantzic, Stanislaus narrowly escaped being made prisoner, by fleeing
in the disguise of a peasant to Marienwerder. By the conditions
of peace, which was concluded in Vienna in 1735, Stanislaus was
compelled to abdicate the Polish throne, though allowed to retain
the title of King of Poland during his life. He recovered the con
fiscated possessions of his family, was created Duke of Loraine and Bar,
and took up his residence at Luneville. After his death in 1766, these
provinces were absorbed by France. King Stanislaus is said to have
been one of the best sovereigns of Europe during the last century.
He is also known as an author, having in 1765 published in Paris
in 4 volumes his “Euvres du philosophe bien faisant,” which treats
of philosophy, morals, and politics, and shows his love for the arts
and sciences.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
