The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-11-08

~ bhc pcOpit vi thiS COuNt.
Macmillan In his Dressing Gown.
Since the cruel execution of Quere-
taro, great many portraits, repre-
senting the Soverng of Mexico, have
been offered to the public. But, how
ever life-like and reliable these photo
graphic reproductions may be, they
are unable to render that harmony
which inparts 10 the whole face
special character and charm. No
MARBLE no painting, no sketch has
been able to reproduce satisfactorily
the expression of his sweet and sym
pathetic countenance, which, in its
graceful, oblong form, was impressed
with truly loyal distinction. No cam
era was able to reproduce the charm
ing glance of those eyes SO premature
ly closed their sparkling fire in mo-
ments of JOY and pleasure.
Macmillan possessed a tall, noble
form, which excuses the dimensions
of his feet, which were very long. His
gait was slow and majestic, without
seeming affected, and in walking he
threw his legs to the right and left, as
sailoes are in the habit of doing. This
singularity in his gait is easily explain
ed by the fact that the Prince was a
suior for many years.
The Emperor was absolutely bald.
He had kept only some hair on his
temples and behind his head. His
barber parted them for him every day
by a line drawn in the middle; they
we're then brshed forward and pasted
with pomatum to the scalp, in order
to conceal the Princes badness.
On the other hand, his long and
dense beard flowed down on his breast
where it divided into two silky tufts,
which Macmillan, on conversing with
any body, was in the habit of Selling
with his hand The Emperor used this
gesture always, and drew likewise his
mustache to the ends of the longer
hair through the rings into which he
formed his fingers.
A short time previous to his down
fall Maximilion had expressed his in
teution of having his beard shaved off,
with the exception of his moustace
and goatee. He said his beard was by
no means a numismatic, and he assert
ed that he looked bad on coins and
medals. But he had deferred his pro-
ject to q latter time, because he was
toln that great many coins had been
coined with his effigy, and that this
modification would necessitate some
exceedingly expensive changes. 1t is
certain that this change would not
have added to to the handsome appear
ance of his face, for this beard, which
he had condemned, concealed some
what his mouth, which was thick and
4 badly shaped. His always half open
ed lips showed yellow and irregular
teeth.
1t is well known that Macmillan
/ had been in feeble health for long
time past, owing to a most injudicious
diet. The excessive indulgence in white
wine and ndigestible dishes HAD great
/ ly weakened his stomach and brought
about that chronic dysentery, with
which he was affected to the last hour
of his life.
The Emperor drank great deal of
champagne at his meals; and in the
day time, while working in the Cabi-
net. he drank not less than twenty
glasses of Spanish wine, in which he
dipped biscuits.
do not be astonished at my predi-
lection for this wine, he said to those
who were present, II contracted this
habit during my sea voyages. And,
then, the Spanish wine has highly sal
utary qualities in this climate where
the human frame needs tonics.
The Prince was mistaken, and the
proof of it was that, owing to his in
creasing ill-health, he was obliged to
DIR. Ounot, who restored him by regu-
lating his diet and forbidding him to
drink anything but Bordaux wines,
Previous to the Intervention of this
learned practitioner, Macmillan had
two cooks, who prepared him highly
spiced food, after the German fashion
Venison appeared in thousand diff
ferent ways on his table, and at des
sert the Emperor always partook o
cheese, after which he drank beer
which he got from Austria, at grea
expense,
Add to it that he smoked, from
morning till evening, Vienna cigars
which he preferred to any others. L
is even said. in regard to these cigars
that his suit made wry faces when Tx
, Emperor was good natured enough
! to present his cigar case to his aids
de-camp!and other officers attached t.
, his person.
| No one vrnturod to refuse, and al
) were compelled, by the requirement
of good breading, to light this roll @
cabbage leaves, the tast of which wa
unpleasant and nauseating.
q Some of them finally had "the coul
: age of their own opinion" One {
these courageous men was Colont
i Brincourt, who said one day to tn
Emperor, in presenting him with
n box of Londres:
:. F'Sire, will you once in your lii