The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-06-25
The Sad Story of q Life.
THE UNFORTUNATE WIFE OF MAMMALIAN
ONCE EMPEROR OF MEXICO.

The Belgian papers announce that the
death of the unhappy Carlotta, the wife of
Maximilian, once Emperor of Mexico, is
daily expected. During the last years Of her
eventful life the sombre darkness of mental
night has rested upon her, and even the con-
ISOLATION of forgetting in insanity her mis-
fortunes has been denied her. The light OF
this worlds pleasures, though not the gloom
of its pains, long since went out of her, and
that she should not follow her brave and un-
fortunate husband to the grave may be re-
garded as the only happiness which the
future had in store for her, and as a 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 beauty
and superior mind, graced with the accom-
plishments of courts and the polish of letters,
it was Carlotta's destiny to be united at a
very early age to the most amiable and able
of the Austrian archdukes. Macmillan was
distinguished for his virtues, his courage, his
courtly bearing and the liberal tone Of his
thoughts and feelings. At the time of the
marriage no more brilliant prospects than
the luxurious life Of an Emperor's brother
and sister opened before them. Maximilian
thought of no loftier destiny than to form
one of the princely galaxy around Francis
Joseph's throne, to govern Slavic or Croat
,,arbon, land ha
glory of Austria, or to spend happy summer
months with his lovely bride at his castle of
Miramar, on the Adriatic. No graver dam
ger than that of Euporean war or local in
surrection threatened to interrupt tranquil
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 wear
er of royal blood for the new imperial crown,
| caused Louis to cast his eyes over Europe for
the available candidate, and he fixed upon
MaXimilian as the prince best fitted for his
purpose. The Aarchduchess Sophia urged
him to decline the baublc. Carlotta, with
all the enthusiasm Of youth and ambition,
begged him to accept it. To her Maximilian
unfortunately yielded he went to Mexico
accompanied by his dauntless and exulting
wife, and bravely nerved himself to meet the
perls of his new position. These perils werC
not fanciful the long conflict between the
virtually usurping Emperor and the persisten
Juarez is well known. Its tragic termina
ton in which the gallant Austrian wen
calmly to the fate of Charles of England an(
Louis of France is one of the most thrilling
episodes in history. Carlotta stood staunchl,
by her husband from first to last When hi
cause waned and bade ere long to be desper
ate, this heroic woman hastened to Europe
fell at Napoleon's feet, and begged him to 6
to the rescue, Stung by the refusal of on
who had lured Macmillan across the ocean
the unfortunate princess broke into wild in
precautions. From st. Cloud she FASTENED {
Rome, only to learn at the Vatican that
was hopeless, Desperate with disappoin
ment, Carlotta wandered over Europe, pleaC
ing with Francis Joseph at Vienna, mourn
ing with her brother in Brussels. Then IL
bright though weary intellect began to fad
She sank into alternate idiocy and madnes
and while in this diseased fancy she w
fighting the battle over and overagain in Il
quiet retirement of Lacken, Macmillan W
shot at Queretero.