Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-02-14
The Empress Carlotta.

The yicissitudes of kings and princes have
been favorite theme for poets and romano
ers since Homer's time; but never was
told sadder or more thrilling story than
the career of Carlotta, the wife of Maxi
milan, Emperor of Mexico, who died on
the 50th ult., at Dresden. During the last
year of her eycntful life the sombre dark
ness of mental night rested upon her, and
even the consolation of forgetting, in in
sanity, her misfortunes, had been denied
her. The light Of this worlds pleasures.
though not the gloom of its pains, long
since went out for her and that she should
now follow her brave and unfortunate hds-
band to the grave may be regarded as the
only happiness the future had in store for
her, and as grateful relief to the royal
hearts who have watched over her desolate
years with constant and loving tenderness
The daughter Of Leopold L., of Belgium,
the wisest and shrewdest sovereign of his
time, blessed with comely features and a
superior intellect, graced with the accom-
plishmen.s Of courts and with the polish Of
polite letters, it was Carlotta's destiny TO
be united, at very early age, to the most
amiable and able of the Austrian Arch
dukes. Maximilian was distinguished for
his virtue, his courage. his courtly bearing,
and the liberal tone Of his thoughts and
feelings. At the time Of the marriage. no
more brilliant prospect than the Injurious
life of an Emperor's brother and sister
opened before them Maximilian thought
Of no lottier destiny than to form one of the
princely galaxy around Francis JOseph's
throne, to gOverna a Slavic or Croat province,
perhaps to lend his sword to the glory of
Austria, or to spend happy summer months
with his lovely bride at his castle of
Miramar, on the Adriatic No grayer dan
gers than those of European war or local in
surrection threatened to interrupt a tran
quill and contented life.
The ambitious projects Of Napoleon sud
denly intruded upon the even tenor of this
calm existence. The conquest of Mexico by
Bazaine, and the necessity of finding 4
wearer Of royal blood for the new Imperial
crown, caused the French Emperor to cast
his eyes over Europe for an available candi-
date; and he fixed upon Naximilian a. the
AlNNt BENL uLAt4 All Ills UAIDb=t- 1 ne
Archduchess Sophia urged him to decline
the hauble; Carlotra. with all the enthuSi-
asm of outh and ambitious pride of royal
blood. begged him to accept it. To her
PRAYER Maximilian Welded he went to
Mexico, accompanied by his dauntless and
exulting wife, and bravely nerved himself to
encounter the dangers Of his new position.
Those dangers were not lanciful the long
conflict between the virtually gSurping
Emperor and the persistent Juarez Is still
fresh in the general recollection. Its tragic
termination, in which the courageous Aus
trian went calmly to the fate of Charles Of
England and Louis of France, Is one of the
most striking scenes in history. Carlotta
stood staunchly hy her husband from first
to last. When hi cause waned and promised
ere long TO be desperate, this heroic
woman fastened 20 Europe. fell at VA
pOleon' feet and begged him to % t. the
rescue. The unfortunate princes, >tung
by the refusal Of the one who had
lured Maximilian across the ocean, broke
into wild imprecation-. From -. Cloud
she ha>tened 10 Rome, only t. learn from
the Holy Father that he was helpless and
could do nothing. Desperate with disap-
pointment Carlotta wandered over Europe,
pleading with Francis Joseph at Vienna.
mourning with her brother at Brussels.
Then the bright though weary intellect
began TO fade She sank into alternate
idiocy and madness; and while in her de-
ceased fancy she was fighting her sad battle
over and over again in the quiet retirement
Of Lacken, Maximiliar was shot on the
Mexican plains That Juarez acted with
necessary severity, there can be little doubt.
1t was not Maximilian'- character, but the
Empire he sought to found, which was
judged. condemned and executed. lie was
in Mexico in defiance Of the populat will
and the republican traditions ofthe country;
to exile him was 10 store up difficulties tor
the future only by executing him could
the Empire be put 10 a sure death. and for
eign powers be etfectually warned against
a repetition of the experiment. - Boston
DLAt