The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-15 00:00:00

Court Life in Mexico.

The Mexican correspondent of the New York
Herald gives the following picture of the Court of
the Emperor Maximilian :
During the winter the Empress has given a number of
splendid receptions, at which the wealth and elite of the
capital assisted. These occur in the spacious suites of
saloons in the palace fronting upon the plaza, of which the
grand cathedral forms the western side. The apartment;
opening into each other and extending several hundred
feet, aro illuminated with chandeliers and richly furnished.
On such occasions the throne-room is opened, and forms
part of the brilliant scene. In this, besides several fine
paintings of the Emperor and Empress, Napoleon
111., Eugenie, and others, is a full-length one of
Washington, .decidedly the largest and most imposing
of all. The orchestra, which is placed in the western
apartment; is composed of Austrians, who certainly
do justice to the occasion. The Empress enters the
ball room by a private door, accompanied by her maids of
honour, and passes leisurely down on the side of the hall,
where the ladies are standing to receive her, pausing here
and there to speak with those she particularly recognise;
preceded by a dame d'honneur, who names in succession
those ladies who are to be presented. The same formality
is observed on the gentlemen's side where one of the
chamberlains performs the ceremony of presentation. This
being over the dancing begins. The Empress usually sails
through one or two cotillions during the ball, which com-
mences about nine and closes at two or half an hour later.
The dresses of the ladies(always in the last Parisian mode)
are in many instances of exceeding richness, with a sur-
prising profusion of jewellery, particularly diamonds. The
dress for gentlemen is black cut-away coat, black pants,
vest at discretion, white gloves, white cravat, and pa-
tent leather boots or shoes. Military officers appear
in full uniform. The blending of the rich regimentals,
of Austrian; French, and Belgians, with the floating silks,
and airy indescribables of the Mexican belles, produces ei
peculiarly beautiful effect. The Empress is about 23 year*
of age, Stately in form, and a graceful dancer. In an assem-
blage, of which I should think 200 were ladies, she was
the tallest. Beyond some fabulous lace, and a necklace of
splendid diamonds as large as hazelnuts, I took no notice
of the dress, preferring to leave to some practised Jenkins
the congenial task of a more particular description. Be-.
tween the sots her Majesty and ladies of honour arise,
11 which is the signal for all to do the same, and another short
mperor
round of social little presentationsw hf.illehodsa)wrasas.
dTohheisE
exhibits on these occasions a cordial familiarity among
those with whom he wishes to converse. Maximiliani
speaksi his
fluently six languages. He is particularly
ipnlceoans conversation
on
address, has the air of a student, and w
kind and genial
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hficmanansontisaanyy affable
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n d He
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and their Majesties
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in
whileciFuriesnitceht hclevu or.nienaser de barno
groansupgrohdt with the most superb silver ware
and porcelain, bearing the Imperial arms. It is not easy to
conceive greater richness, profusion, or refined taste than
is here displayed. Their Majesties presently retire, when
the affair relaxes a little from its state formality, and offi-
cers and civilians vie in their attentions to such ladies
as have not followed the Imperial couple. Carlotta is
decidedly and indisputably handsome. The eyes and
forehead are full of intellect, and in conversation the
face lights up with a smile that indicates a pure and
kind heart. There is at times, however, a kind of hauteur in
the expression, which, though it perfectly becomes the
Empress, detracts a little from the winning sweetness
which characterises the fine oTal face. Every feature evinces
talent, intelligence, firmness, and, above all, ambition. The
cousin of Queen Victoria, the daughter of the King of Bel-
gium, the granddaughter of Louis Philippe, the best blood
of Europe courses in her vein; and having been brought
up in the English Court, she fills her station with that grace,
dignity, and sell-possession inseparable froa the August
society r3he hay OM from cliildl29o.

SCOTTISH AUSTRALIAN
INVESTMENT COMPANY (Limited).
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the HALF-
YEARLY GENERAL MEETING of the Proprietors of
the Scottish Australian Investment Company (Limited),
will be held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street,
London, on FRIDAY, the 28th day of July instant, at
Twelve o'Clock at noon precisely.
The Transfer Books of the Company will be'closed pre-
paratory to the Meeting and payment of the Dividend,
from Thursday, the 20th, until Friday, the 28th instant,
both days inclusive.
By order of the Directors, . .
C. GRAINGER, Secretary.
1, King's Arms Yard, Moorgate Street, London,
July 12th, 1865.

XnsIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms
of the past year 1864 the boats of the National Lifeboat
titution have saved 432 persons from different wrecks on
Our coasts. 'the Institution also expended £19,531 14s. sd.
in the same period on lifeboat establishments, in addition to
granting £1,559 as rewards for saving 69i shipwrecked per-
sons by its lifeboats, and other means.
The Committee of the Institution earnestly APPEAL to
the public for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet the
coutinuld heavy demands on the Institution's li9 lifeboat
establishments.
Contributions are received by Messrs Willis and CO..
Berries and Co., Coutts and Co., and by all the London and
Country bankers ; and by the Secretary. Richard Lewis, Ks-
(l .,
at the Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi.

PROGRAMMES of the THOUSAND and
ONE entertainments, the varied amusements, the
names of the ladies holding stalls. &e., &0., may be had at
No. 2, Exeter Hall, THIS EVENING.

THE EXETER HALL and CRYSTAL
PALACE offices will remain open until Eight o'clock
THIS EVENING, for the issue of HALF-CROW N admis-
sian Tickets for the Dramatic Col ege Great Fete TO-
MORROW.

THEATR E-R OYA L, HAYMARKET.
Lessee. Mr. Buckstone.

-----
THIS EVENING, THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
Messrs. Chippendale, Gordon, and Farren ; Mesdames Hill,
L ,vell, and Fitzwilliam.

Alter which, BROTHER SAM. Messrs. Sothern, Buck-
stone, Compton, &c. ; Mesdames Snowdon, Moore, &c.
To conclude with NO SONG NO SUPPER. Compton,
Chippendale, Farrcn, &C. ; Mesdames Moore, Wright, Keeley,