Some of you may not have read this earlier..........Isabella's instructions to Archduchess Marie Christine on how to win over her parents.
On Emperor Francis I : The Emperor has many good qualities and many faults. He is extremely kind-hearted, you can always count on him - but he can be easily influenced and he distinguishes people with his confidence who do not deserve it. I am thinking of Princess Auersperg in particular - you certainly know that - but perhaps you do not know how much he is under her influence. She often moves him to decisions which are very difficult to put into effect and discusses matters with him that are none of her business. The Emperor does not like if someone shows too excessive an enthusiasm for his wife in his presence. I, too, keep my admiration for her a secret from him - for were I to emphasize it overly, he would become cool towards me. If you want him to love you, discuss matters of state with him as much as you can. Pretend not to be informed about anything, let him enlighten and instruct you. This would make him very happy....."
On Empress-Queen Maria Theresa: "The Queen is an infinitely tender, sentimental, kindly woman; if she takes someone to her heart, she is ready to bring any sacrifice and show the most extensive interest in his or her welfare, with tremendous care and attention. Whoever turns for advice to her will find his cause immediately adopted, and she will occupy herself most intensely with his trouble. She has experienced a great deal and knows people. But- if she has to decide her own affairs, she doesn't trust her judgement that is why she has such difficulty in coming to a conclusion and turns often for advice to others, who mislead her deliberately. The distrust in herself she transfer to her children, too; she is suspicious of them, sometimes appears even cold. Her nature is extremely lively and her passions often carry her away. At such times it is best to let her expend her rage and, if possible, persuade her not to come to an immediate decision. If something makes her indignant, you must share this indignation, must discuss the matter with her and calm her down cautiously so that she may change the decision taken in sudden anger. Mostly this is possible - and later she is extremely grateful for it, for her fundamental character is kind and she loves justice.... She loves her children but disciplines them excessively. Therefore you must always take their side but must not hide their faults, for the Queen would consider this lack of sincerity."
