IN this volume I have endeavored to give my young readers a clearer and a more intimate knowledge than is usually possessed of the vast territory known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is a collection of provinces united under one ruler, and which is, strange to say, the only country of importance in the world that has not a distinctive language of its own, since the various races--German, Slav, Magyar and others--each speak their own tongue. The northeastern provinces, Galicia and Bukowina, have not been considered in this book, owing to the fact that they are included in OUR LITTLE POLISH COUSIN; and, for a similar reason, Hungary and Bohemia have been omitted, as each is the subject of an earlier volume in THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES. The book consequently is chiefly devoted to Austria proper and Tyrol, but the other provinces, including Dalmatia and Bosnia, are not neglected. The publication of =Our Little Austrian Cousin= is most timely, since the Balkan War, now drawing to a close, has occupied the attention of the world. The Balkan States lie just to the south of the Austrian Empire, and Austria has taken a leading part in defining the terms of peace which the Great Powers of Europe insist shall be granted by the Balkan allies to the defeated Turks. =Our Little Austrian Cousin= can well be read in connection with OUR LITTLE BULGARIAN COUSIN and OUR LITTLE SERVIAN COUSIN, describing two of the principal Balkan States, which volumes have just been added to THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES. Among others, I am especially indebted to Fr. H. E. Palmer, for much information concerning country customs in Upper Austria. Contents CHAPTER PAGE I. A VISIT TO OLD VIENNA 1 II. DER STOCK IM EISEN 24 III. THE FARM IN UPPER AUSTRIA 41 IV. THE PEASANTS' DANCE 65 V. SOME TYROLESE LEGENDS 75 VI. MORE LEGENDS 86 VII. A NIGHT WITH THE SENNER 100 VIII. THROUGH THE TYROLESE MOUNTAINS 109 IX. THE HABICHT-BURG RAVENS 124 X. THROUGH DALMATIA AND THE BORDER-LANDS 135 XI. VIENNA 154 List of Illustrations