Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-07-13

Ilts Private Life and Character.

and personal character of Maximilian, the
ex-Emperor of Mexico, who was executed on
the 10th of June, is from the pen of an
Englisbman who was for many years resi-
dent in Mexico, and claims to have enjoyed
the special confidence of Macmillan. The
sketch was written some time since, and as
the report shows, the writer was an enthusi.
astic admirer of the ex-Emperor, and many
of his statements are, we believe, exaggera-
tions but, as the account comes from man
who is fully familiar with his subject, it will
be read with interest:
Macmillan is rather above the middle
height, we'll proportional, with powerful
high square shoulders. In face he is deci-
dedly good looking, having regular features,
light hair, long side whiskers and mustache
of the same color, a small mouth and excel
lent teeth, with good-tempered smile per-
petually on his countenance. He has light
blue eyes and most benevolent and amiable
expression of countenance.
In dress, he is always scrupulously neat,
black frock- coat, light t-colored pantaloons,
white vest, and small black necktie usually
constituted his morning costume; while in
the evening, at dinner parties, receptions, &c,
he wore the usual evening attire of private
gentleman. He very seldom donned uni
form, nor was it often worn at his receptions.
When occasions of state rendered it necessa-
ry, he would appear in the plain dress of
General of the army. He was very fond of
the Mexican costume. always adopting it
when on horseback or in the country, also
when travelling. This consisted of hand
some white sombrero, ornamentcd with
silver, and a silver band round it, or some
times plain white French wide-a-wake hat
of very large circumference, a jacket and
vest of black or dark color, handsomely
embroidered, and black pants with double
rows of silver buttons down the outside seam
of each leg. Sometimes his riding dress was
like the rancheros of the country, namely,
jacket, vest and pants of ofbuff-colored leather,
usually deer skin, but handsomely embroi-
bered and ornamented like the others.
The daily habits of Maximitan were al
ways very simple; rising early, good deal
of business, writing, &C., was generally got
through with before breakfast, which was
partaken of punctually at 81 o'clock dinner
was held at 2S o'clock. and there was no
repast later. The table was plain, but abun-
dant, the principal wines consumed being
light Hungarian and German, though at
dinner parties, at several of which the wri-
ter has had the honor of being present, no
wine or other luxury procuraLle for money
was ever wanting. After dinner the En-
peror almost invariably drove out, generally
in an open carriage drawn by his tavorite
team of seven cream-colored mules, which
always went at tremendous pace through
the streets especially the coachman had in
functions always to drive fast, in order TO
avoid the numerous salutations of the peo-
pie, for though naturally very shy and reti-
ring, Maximilian was too much of gentle.
man not to acknowledge the salutation of the
| most humble. On returning from his drive,
few moments were again devoted to bust
ness, and ut 5 o'clock he invariably retired
to his private apartments, where many hours
were often spent in study, writing, &c. Half
of his time was spent at the country palace
of Chapultapec, distant one league from the
City of Mexico. from whence he usually
drove in to business Immediately after break
fast, arriving punctually at 10 o'clock, and
returning at p. m. He also passed diff
ferent periods at his Summer palace at
Cuernavaca, situated in what is called the
''tierra templada," or temperate country,
which is halfway between the high plateau
! and the low land near the coast, termed the
though small, is perfect little gem, delight.
fully situated on the slopes Of the mountain.
Here Maximilian gave himself up entirely to
! enjoyment, which in him was of a very sim
pie character, catching and preserving but
terfiies and insects, shooting and bathing
these last were his chief delights. The wri-
ter was once passing small lake, and seeing
some clothes lying on the bank, and ap-
preaching a little nearer, discovered His
Majesty enjoying himself in the water to his
hearts content, totally unattended, with nc
one, perhaps, within three miles of him, save
the beholder. He seldom rode on horseback
being as is usual with sailors, q bad horse
man, he always preferred 'shank's pony" tc
any other; and when travelling, though ht
always had two or three of his horses led
behind the carriage, he seldom mounted
any.
His manners were perhaps what procured
him so many friends in Mexico, for whateve
may have been asserted of the unpopularity
of his cause there can be no doubt but tha
he was very much beloved by large portion
of the population of all classes Always DO
lite and kind, no matter what the rank O
the person he addressed, he had that charm
ing gift of setting them at their ease imme
diately when he began to converse will
them. Should they be indifferent linguists
Che usually talked in French) he was alway
patient, and would help them out if neces
sary, never permitting them to be uncomfor
table by noticing any little mistake. On tn
first occasion that the writer had the homo
of an interview, he kept him nearly half al
hour discoursing on indifferent though inter
esting subjects discovering that he was al
Englishman, he discussed tho late Prime
Consort, who he said was his greatest friend
the Prince and Princess of Wales and he
baby, describing how big and fat it was, no,
many teeth it had cut, &C., &C., and all th
little minutie of the English Royal famil
that he thought would be pleasing to a
Englishman. He also inquired if he ha
been at either of the Universities, whs
school he went to as boy, &C. and Shove
{ by his conversation that he was nearly a
well acquainted with England as with hi
own country. On public receptions, ball
dinner parties, &c, the Emperor and hi
cara sposa, Carlotta, would separately max
round of the guests, stopping and speal
ing to each one individually, in sometime
! half dozen different languages, and alwa,
' addressing some kind little remarks pee.
liarly interesting and pleasing to the perso
!, addressed, and though at one time this WI
weekly occurrence, and the guests col
atA ant fIxr oh 4 N