Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-12
THE LATE EMPEROR OF MEXICO
Biographical Sketch of His Life.


continent would have taken but slight
interest in the career of this Austrian
Prince, but for the exciting events which
for the last four years brought MAXI
milan so prominently before the Ameri-
can public as Emperor of Mexico. The
troubles Of that country are of so recent
date-and even continuing at this writing
that their successive recital in this
instance would be entirely superiluous.
As matter of record, however, 1t
should be stated here that it was under
the direction of the French Com
mander, acting under special orders of
Napoleon, that the assembly of Mexi-
can notables sent, in 1863, a deputa-
ton of their number to offer the Mexican
crown to the Archduke Maximilian, then
chief.in- command Of the Austrian navy.
Their address was presented to him on
the 3rd Of September, 1868, to which be
replied on the third Of the succeeding
month, accepting the crown upon
condition that the people Of Mexico
should express their willingness to
acknowledge him as their Emperor, by
giving him majority of their votes,
which, should be cast for that purpose.
On the 10th of April, 1864, Prince Max
imilian again received the Mexican
deputation at Miramar, and formally
accepted the crown of Mexico. Full of
hope, and determined to raise the fallen
fortunes of that unhappy country, Max
imilian and his wife Carotta, daughter
of Leopold /, King of Belgium, set sail
for their new empire, and after brief
interval the little fleet reached Vera
Cruz toward the end of May. II was,
however, not before the I'd of June that
the Emperor formally made his entry
into the capitol Of Mexico. The sue
cesses and reverses Of the French army,
while battling with the numerous
bands of dissidents who never
ceased to oppose the new empire, are
now matters of history, and would no
doubt have eliminated in their entire
overthrow, but for the withdrawal OF
these French troops just at the time
when Maximilian, though with de-
pleted treasury, was doing his utmost to
revive trade and commerce. and was ap-
plying all his energies to develop various
resources which could not have failed in
course of time to increase the material
welfare of the Mexican people. Absn-
doned by France-or rather by Napo-
bravely, but reckless
ly, endeavored with his small band of
warriors to oppose the constantly in
creasinE Liberal army, until finally,
through the treachery Of a man named
Lopez, whom he had laden with honors,
the city of Queretaro, which he was val.
iantly defending, fell into the hands OF
Escobedo, and he himself made a pris-
oner of war, subsequently " tried by
court-martial, and as the telegraph an.
nounces, found guilty and executed on
the 10Th of June.
A New Extempore story by Chas. Dickens.
Charles Dickens presided, on the 9th
inst, at the annual dinner of the Railway
Benevolent Institution, in London. From
his speech we extract the following cap.
italy told story
Now, gentlemen, on this point of the
case there is story once told me by a
friend of mine, which seems to my mind
to have certain application. My friend
was an American captain, and, therefore,
it is quite unnecessary to say that his
story was true. Laughter ] He was
the captain and part owner of large
American merchant liner. On a certain
voyage out, in exquisite summer weather,
he had for cabin passengers one beautiful
young lady and ten more or less beau
tiful young gentlemen. Light winds or
dead cal1is prevailing, the voyage was
slow. They had made half their dis
tance when ten young gentlemen were
all madly in love with the beautiful
young lady They had all proposed to
her, and bloodshed amongst the rivals
seemed imminent, pending the young
lady's decision. Laughter. In this
extremity the beautiful young lady con-
fded in my friend the captain, who gave
her discreet advice. He said, " il your
affections are disengaged, take that one
of the young gentlemen you like the
best and settle the question. " Laugh
ter. To this the beautiful young lady
made reply, II cannot do that, because
| like them all equally well. y Laugh
ter.
My friend, who was man of resource,
hit upon this ingenious expedient. Said
is announced, do you plunge boldly over
board, head foremost. | will be along
side in a boat to pick you up; and take
the one of the ten who rushes to your
rescue. The beautiful young lady
highly approved Of this, and did accord
ingly But after she plunged in nine out
of the ten more or less beautiful young
gentlemen plunged in after her. The
tenth shed tears-Lgreat laughter and
looked over the side Of the vessel, but re-
manned on deck. They were all picked
up. When they mustered dripping on
deck, and stood there in limp row, the
beautiful Young lady said to the captain,
" What am to do now See. what a
state they are in. How can choose one
Of the nine when they are all equally
wet 2 Then said my friend, with a sud
den inspiration, "a My dear, take the dry
one." Loud laughter / am sorry to
say she did, and that they lived happy
ever after.
Statues Of Queen Victoria and Price Albert.
The statue TO the late Prince eonsort
and Queen Victoria, which has been
placed in the principal corridor Of Wind |
sor castle, is thus described: The group |
consists Of figures Of her Majesty and |
the Prince consort, the size Of life, in the |
Saxon costume Of the ninth century, |
which lends itself favorable to sculpture. |
Her Majesty wears light and graceful
diadem and a rich mantle. The Prince |
has also q mantle, and his dress, in |
which "reminiscences Of the antique are |
displays his fgure to great /
advantage. The position Of the two hg- |
ures readily tell the tale Of deep affection /
and present earthly separation. They |
J.. L. L..