The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-01-25 00:00:00

THE REMAINS OF THE EMPEROR
MAXIMILIAN.

On Thursday in last week, Trieste witnessed the
last act of the melancholy tragedy of which the
unfortunate Emperor Maximilian has been the hero.
Trieete—which knew him and loved him as the genial,
amiable owner of Miramar, the generous-hearted,
zealous, naval officer, the man of noble intellect and
acquirements —has seen his remains borne hack across
the seas from the land where he has suffered such
wrong, and carried with imperial pomp towards their
resting-place. Till slow, perhaps, they scarcely realized
the whole sad troth, that he, their "Man," to whom
they had waved their farewell so hopefully but or,
short a time ago, was, indeed, lost to them for ever.
But now they have seen the large black hearse, with
Its nodding plumes and ill-fated crown, pass along their
streets, bearing away to Vienna the body of Maxi-
milian, Emperor of Mexico. During the transit,
while on board the Novara, the corpse was kept in a
Marne ardent-e, two or more officers constantly keep-
ing guard over the body. with drawn swords. The
cabin where it lay was hung with black, the
Mexican arms being blazoned upon it ; the coffin
stood in the midst, surrounded by candles; the
decorations and orders id the Emperor were laid
upon it. Early on Thursday morning the forts
of Isola and San Bartolomeo commenced their
funeral salute of twenty-one guns. Already, at an
early hour, the streets were thronged with people ;
and, long before the time appointed for the landing of
the body, the windows, doors, shops, and even roofs of
houses, were crowded with the expectant populace.
Soldiers were stationed at short intervals al tog the
streets through which the procession was to pass ; but
their presence was almost unnecessary for the mainten-
ance of order, as, once the signal for clearing the road
was given, the crowd, with more discretion and pro-
priety thao one might have expected, drew back of its
own acigird into the space allotted it, and, save the
invariable dog, which, of course, ran down the street,
occasioning the usual merriment, not a thing crossed the
road. The town had a very sad aspect. Ihe windows
and balconies were all hung with black, some ornamented
with silver wreaths, the initials "F. M." interlaced,
or the Mexican arms, the greater part of the hang-
ings bordered with long silver fringe or looped with
leafless white roses. At last the long-expected hour
for the landing arrived. Placed. upon an elevated
edifice, covered with sweeping black drapery falling
About in heavy folds and trailing in the water, was
placed the coffin, over which lay a rich crimson cover.
The crown and the decorations were placed upon
surrounding cushions. On a lower estrade some six
officers stood, their swords drawn. The whole was
drawn slowly ashore by ropes concealed beneath the
water. A long suite of boats followed, rowing with
muffled oars and a long slow stroke. On reaching the
Mob o di San Carlo the coffin was placed upon a sort of
scaffolding erected for the purpose, whence it after-
wards descended by a slight incline into the hearse.
Tie Foreign Consuls and officials stood in a semi-
circle the two brothers of the Emperor standing
a little in advance ; then the Archbishop and the
clergy surrounding the briny; the former pronounced
a benediction. During this time the ships and tha
Mob were simultaneously saluting, causing the whole
town to vibrate with the solemn sounds. Then
the coffin was placed upon the hearse and the proces-
sion was formed. It was a curious thing that the day
which had until then been threatening and foggy,
clearest just at the moment of the dcbarquement, the
sun streaming out in warm, bright splendour on the
moaniful scene below. First came several companies
of soldiers—their muskets slung on the shoulder in
token of mourning; at intervals were placed three
military bands. Yet, despite the solemn music and the
slow measured tread, the procession lacked that air of
true mourning one would have expected to be but
natural under the circumstances. The soldiers and even
the officers tin naselves were talking to each other and
smiling at acquaintsnces they saw in the crowd or at the
windows. The spectators seemed not to be moved in the
very least, and, except fur tire one moment of deathlike
silence that ollowed the unplug murnaurof expectation
when first the hearse came in view, there wasno token in
the look or behaviour of the people to denote sorrow or
mourning. All was very orderly and quiet, it is true,
but it did not impress one with the notion that it was
the silence of respect, of reverence, or regret ' • it was
like the silence of people who, having waited three
or four hours in the cold, think they have not
got enough for their pains. People who had
come to see a great and gorgeous show were
disappointed in finding it was, after all, only a fune-
' raL Indeed, that this was the feeling of some and
the expressed opinion of others there is no doubt, as
more than one was heard to complain that, having
been told to come to see it because it was to be so
. splendid, 'ire had thought that they were really going
. to testify their respect to the Emperor Maximilian, so
he came. But, why, there's no silver on the hears, !"
I Following closely on the heels of the third band, by he
sound of which their voices were almost drowned, came
a compagnia di Cappucci, bearing a large wooden
crucifix before them, and after these again the priests,
• the Archbishop walking in their midst. Soon after
this came the hearse, drawn by six large splendid
, black horses (sent down from Vienna for the purpose),
prancing hotly, and tossing their plume-crested heads.
These were driveu by a man completely dressed in
black fur, another, similarly attired, riding postilion.
Over the coffin lay a black velvet pall, the crown of
I,lexico being placed on a cushion at its side. Imme-
diately behind it walked the two Archdukes, and
following them came Admiral Tegethoff, accompanied
by several officers and officials; directly after whom
came the Foreign Consuls. The procession was closed
by a company of line soldiers, preceded by a detach-
ment of sailors from the Novara.