156-160._] Enough, from the death of Rudolf, A.D.1291, there intervened a hundred and fifty years, and eight successive Kaisers singly or in line, only one of whom (this same Albert of the unlovely countenance) was a Hapsburger,--before the Family, often trying it all along, could get a third time into the Imperial saddle.

Where, after that, it did sit steady.

Once in for the third time, the Hapsburgers got themselves "elected" (as they still called it) time after time; always elected,--with but one poor exception, which will much concern my readers by and by,--to the very end of the matter.

And saw the Holy Roman Empire itself expire, and as it were both saddle and horse vanish out of Nature, before they would dismount.

Nay they still ride there on the shadow of a saddle, so to speak; and are "Kaisers of AUSTRIA" at this hour.