to share with him a second time both booty and glory.  The greatness of the pay he promised attracted thousands, and the plentiful supplies the soldier was likely to enjoy at the cost of the peasant was to the latter an irresistible inducement to embrace the military life at once, rather than be the victim of its oppression.  All the Austrian provinces were compelled to assist in the equipment.  No class was exempt from taxation—­no dignity or privilege from capitation.  The Spanish court, as well as the King of Hungary, agreed to contribute a considerable sum.  The ministers made large presents, while Wallenstein himself advanced $200,000 from his personal income to hasten the armament.  The poorer officers he supported out of his own revenues; and, by his own example, by brilliant promotions and still more brilliant promises, he induced all, who were able, to raise troops at their own expense.  Whoever raised a corps at his own cost was to be its commander.  In the appointment of officers, religion made no difference.  Riches, bravery, and experience were more regarded than creed.  By this uniform treatment of different religious sects, and still more by his express declaration that his present levy had nothing to do with religion, the Protestant subjects of the Empire were tranquilized and reconciled to bear their share of the public burdens.  The duke, at the same time, did not omit to treat, in his own name, with foreign states for men and money.  He prevailed on the Duke of Lorraine, a second time, to espouse the cause of the Emperor.  Poland was urged to supply him with Cossacks, and Italy with warlike necessaries.  Before the three months were expired, the army which was assembled in Moravia, amounted to no less than 40,000 men, chiefly drawn from the unconquered parts of Bohemia, from Moravia, Silesia, and the German provinces of the House of Austria.  What to every one had appeared impracticable, Wallenstein, to the astonishment of all Europe, had in a short time effected.  The charm of his name, his treasures, and his genius, had assembled thousands in arms, where before Austria had only looked for hundreds.  Furnished, even to superfluity, with all necessaries, commanded by experienced officers, and inflamed by enthusiasm which assured itself of victory, this newly created army only awaited the signal of their leader to show themselves, by the bravery of their deeds, worthy of his choice.  The duke had fulfilled his promise, and the troops were ready to take the field; he then retired and left to the Emperor to choose a commander.  But it would have been as easy to raise a second army like the first as to find any other commander for it than Wallenstein.  This promising army, the last hope of the Emperor, was nothing but an illusion, as soon as the charm was dissolved which had called it into existence; by Wallenstein it had been raised, and, without him, it sank like a creation of magic into its original nothingness.  Its officers were