The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-05
VOL. XXXII.


Mexican sceptre, he made conditional
remuneration of his right of eventual sue
cession to the throne Of Austria and an
unconditional remuneration of his share OF
the family estates amounting to 20 900 flo
rims. The condition of his renunciation of
the right Of succession was that Of finding
foothold in Mexico insecure he should
choose to resign in six years from the date
of his acceptance Of the crown.
The history of MAxIMILIAN's admins
tration from the 18th June, 1864, until the
withdrawal Of the French troops, when his
power really perished, is one every way
creditable TO him. He encouraged indus
try and enterprise, invited immigration,
and made a vigorous effort at improve
ment. He enlarged the means of educa-
cation, improved the libraries, and, graft
flying his refined taste for art, very much
improved the galleries of Mexico, which
have some remarkably fine old pictures.
The grand railroad from Vera Cruz TO
Mexico he pressed forward with all his
means and energies. His kind and hu-
name disposition was finely displayed in
his acts of clemency to those captured in
arms against his authority during the in
CesSant war which continued through his
whole reign. 1t is true he outlawed the
so called Liberals who followed JUAREz,
together with the several chieftains who,
with a few followers, We're pursuing the
career of mere banditti, robbipg and pill
laying the country, and destroying order
and security wherever they went. No
ruler ever had stronger provocation but
none ever exercised more clemency over
such desperate men when in their power.
He pardoned many who fell into the hands
of bis generals and We're condemned to
death.
MAxIMILIAN's reputation was that Of
scholar and gentleman Of the purest moral
character. lie was exceedingly fond OF
his studies, was an accomplished mathe-
matician, and dwelt too much in the past
for the highest degree OF efficiency and
practicability of his government. lie
sought to control capricious and uncul-
tivated people by the gentlest means OF
kindness and persuasion. His wife, one
of the most amiablc and accomplished, as
we'll as one of the sweetest OF ladies, CO.
operated with her husband, to whom she
was devoted, in his efforts at conciliating
the people. She took great pains to cui-
tivate the Mexican ladeS-rather dliii-
cult task. Having her own drawing rooms
for ladies only, she endeavored to bring
all classes and factions together to intro
duce rational and useful habits and
amusemcnts, and frequently tried TO per-
suade them that if they devoted little
less time and money to dress and frivolous
amuSementS, and more to charity and be-
nevolence, they would be much happier
and much more respected. Her example
in bencvolence and in visiting the sick was
one honorable to the sex, and calculated 10
exert refining and virtuous influence
upon the women Of Mexico.
MAXIMILIAN was devoted to his wife.
Her departure for Europe gave him great
distress, and when he heard Of her severe
illness and probable alienation of mind it
gave him a shock which changed him very
much to the great concern OF his friends.
The Emperor is rather above the mid
die height, well proportioned, with power
full high square shoulders. His features
regular, hair light, moustache, small mouth,
excellent teeth, eyes light blue, lace
manly and pleasant, and in expression be-
nevolent and amiable. In dress, always
scrupulously neat, he avoided as much as
possible the pomp and display OF uniforms
which he very seldom wore. He was fond
of the Mexican costume for its ease and
coolness, and generally wore it on horse
back, when he appeared in white Sombrero,
ornamented with silver, jacket and vest
of black - dark color, embroidered; and
black pants with double rows of buttons
down the outside seam of each leg.
His habits were regular. He rose early
transacted much business before breakfast,
which was at So o'clock; dinner was al
az. After dinner he generally drove out
drawn by his favorite team of seven cream
colored mules, which always went at tre-
mendous pace. The people were profuse
in their salutations as he drove through the
streets. which he invariably returned in
the politest manner. Hepassed much time
at the country palace at Chapultepec and
also at his summer palace at CuernaVaca
situated in the "tierra templada," or tenn
perate county, which was perfect gem
There he wandered about great deal Oh
foot. enjoying the beauties OF nature and
procuring specimens of birds and insects
for his attaipments embraced every branch
of science. He moved about very much
alone. unconscious Of danger. "A gentle
man once came upon him enjoying bath
in q beautiful lake three miles from this
mountain palace entirely unattended.
On public receptions, balls, dinner par
ties, &C., the Emperor and his cara spoSa
would separately make round OF the
guests, stopping and speaking to each one
individually, in sometimes hall d uo"e'
different languages, and always addressing
some kind remarks pleasing to the person
addressed.
An interesting fact of the Emperor ano
EMPRESS is stated on good authority. They
had no children; yet their fondness io'