The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-04-07
THE SAD STORY OF A LIFE.
The Unfortunate Wife of Ma ximiIiun, Once
Emperor of Mexico.

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 SOM
ber darkness of mental night has rested
upon her, and even the consolation of
forgetting in insanity her misfortunes
has 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 not follow her
brave and unfortunate husband to the
grave may be regarded as the only hap
piness which the future had in store for
her, and as grateful relief to the royal
hearts who have watched over her DESC
late years with constant and loving ten
derness. The daughter of Leopold l.,
of Belgium, the wisest and shrewdest
sovereign of his time, blessed with
beauty and n superior mind, graced with
the accomplishments of courts and the
polish of letters, it was Carlotta's des-
tiny to be united Mt very early age to
the most amiable and able of the Aus
trian archdukes. Maximiian was dis
tinguished for his virtues, his courage,
his courtly bearing and the liberal tone
of his thoughts and feelings. At the
time of the marriage no moro brilliant
prospect than the luxurious life of an
emperor's brother and sister opened be-
fore 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 prov
ince, perhaps lend his sword to the glory
of Austria, or to spend happy summer
tl, - l.,
tie of Miramar, on the Adriatic. No
war or local insurrection threatened
to interrupt tranquil and contented
life.
The ambitious projects of Napoleon
suddenly intruded upon the even tenor
of this calm existence. The conquest of
Mexico by Bazaine and the necessity of
finding wearer of royal blood for the
new imperial crown, caused Louis to
cast his eyes over Europe for the avail
able candidate, and he fixed upon Maxi
milan as the prince best fitted for his
purpose. The Archdnchess Sophia
urged him to decline the bauble. Car
lottota, with all the enthusiasm of youth
and ambition, begged him to accept it.
To her Maximilian unfortunately yield
ed; he went to Mexico, accompanied by
his dauntless and exulting wife, and
bravely nerved himself to meet the perils
of his new position. These perils were
not fanciful; the long conflict between
the virtually usurping emperor and the
persistent Juarez is well known. Its
tragic termination, in which the gallant
Austrian went calmly to the fnte of
Charles of England and Louis of France
is one of the most thrilling episodes in
history. Carlotta stood stanchly by her
husband from first to last When his
cause waned and bid ere long to be des-
perate, this heroic woman fastened to
Europe, fell at Napoleon's feet, and
begged him to go to the rescue. Stung
by the refusal of the one who had lured
Maximilian across the ocean, the unfor-
tunate princess broke into wild impre-
cations. From St. Cloud she hastened
to Rome, only to learn at the Vatican
that it was hopeless. Desperate with
disappointment, Carlotta wandered over
Europe, pleading with Francis Joseph
at Vienna, mourning with her brother
in Brussels. Then the bright though
weary intellect began to fade. She sank
into alternate idiocy and madness; and
while in this diseased fancy she was
fighting the battle over and over again in
the quiet retirement of Lacken, Maxi
milan was shot at Queretaro.