Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-10-24
Ma,imilian i'm Hi. pressing Gown,
Translated for the Cincinnati Commercial from the
st Courier des Etats IJnis1

Translated for the Cincinnati Commercial from the
Courier des Etats Unis.]
Since the cruel execution of Queretaro
a great many portraits, representing the
sovereign of Mexico, have been offered to
the public. But. however life-like and re-
liable these Photographic reproductions
may be, they are unable to render that har-
mony which imparts to the whole face a
special character and charm. No marble,
no painting, no sketch has been able to re-
produce satisfactorily the expression of his
sweet and sympathetic ccountenance, which,
in its graceful, OblOng form, was impressed
with truly royal distinction. No camera
was able to reproduce the charming glance
of those eyes so prematurely closed, and
their sparkling fire in moments of joy and
pleasure.
Maximilian 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 lett, as sailors are in the habit OF doing.
This singularity in his gait is easily ex-
planned by the fact that the Prince was a
sailor 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 line drawn in the
middle; they were then brushed forward
and pasted with pomatum to the scalp, in
On the other hand, his long and dense
beard flowed down on his breast where it
divided into two silky tufts, which Maxi
milan, on cOnverSing with any body, was
in the habit of seizing with his hand. The
Emperor used this gesture always, and
drew likewise his moustache to the ends of
the longer hair through the rings into
which he formed his fingers.
A short time previous to his downfall,
MaXimilian had expressed the intention of
having his beard shaved off, with the ex-
ception of his moustache and gOatee. He
said that his beard was by no means nu-
mismatic, and he asserted that he looked
bad on coin and medals. But he had de-
ferred his project to a later time, because
he was told that great many coins
had been coined with his effigy, and that
this modification would necessitate some
exceedingly expensive changes. 1t is GER
tain that this change would not s saye I've add add
for his beard, which he had condemned,
concealed somewhat his mouth, which was
thick aud badly shaped. His always half
opened lips showed yellow and irregular
teeth. .....
1t is well known that Macmillan had
been in feeble health for long time past
owing to most injudiciOuS diet. The eX-
cessive indulgence in white wine and in
digestible dishes had greatly 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 cham
pagne at his meals. and in the day time,
while working in MS cabinet, he drank not
less than twenty glasses OF Spanish wine,
in which he dipped biscuits.
s'Do not be astonished at my predilect1on
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 salutary qualities in this
climate where the human frame needs ton
ics.''
The prince was mistaken, and the proof
of it was that, owing to his increasing ILL
health, he was obliged to consult Dr.Ounot,
who restored him by regulating his diet,
and forbidding him to drink anything but
Bordeaux wines.
learned practitioner, MaXimilian had two
cooks, who prepared him highly spiced
food. after the German fashion. Venison
appeared in thousand different ways on
his table, and at dessert the Emperor al
ways partook of cheese, after which he
drank beer, which he got from Austria, at
great expense.
Add to it that he smoked,f from morning till
evening, Vienna cigars, which he preferred
to any other. 1t is even said, in regard to
these cigars, that his suite made wry faces
when the Emperor was good natured
enough to present his cigar case to his aides
de camp and the other officers attached to
his person. No one ventured to refuse
and all were compelled, by the require
ments of good breeding, to light this roll
of cabbage leaves, the taste of which was
unpleasant and nauseating.
Some of them finally had "the courage of
their opinion" One OF these courageous
men was Colonel Brincourt, who said one
day to the Emperor, on presenting him
with box of LOndres:
''Sir, will you once in your life smoke
good cigars? Condescend to take these"
The Emperor smiled. took the box, and
replied in a voice almost tremulous with
emotion, II ought to be excused for prefer
ring the cigars which come from my faith
erland."
From that day forward, his Majesty no
longer offered any cigars to Colonel Brin-
nnrt