The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-06-26
Maximilian's Widow.

The princess enjoys better health
than might be expected. She has even
attained a certain embonpo1nt. But,
morally speaking, her case seems des-
perate. The most sanguine physicians
consider her insanity incurable. Her
mental condition is very strange. She
appears to no longer take any part in
this world she speaks to nobody, but
always seems planning with, following
and talking to. Imaginary beings. Those
persons who surround or serve her ap-
pear to her as nonentities- looks at
them, yet does not appear to see them.
She seems to suffer if her vision is OBJ
structed by living being while she
ponders when a human voice reaches
her ear she seems to treat it as a sound
from another world she is only pleased
when in deep solituderand talking with
her familiar invisibles. All company is
q bore to her. Her appetite is ex-
Sss 1sh sa ast ssa maxi ssia
ing such changes of diet as the seasons
suggest. She gives all her orders in
writing concerning this and other mat
ters. She has selected O table in her
chateau upon which she deposits her
billets and which are staken at a fixed
hour. In this respect she shows no
hesitation or confusion in her thoughts.
The princess pushes her love of SOL
itude to such an e1treyue that che does
not wish to have her servants with her
she dresses herself and completes her
toilet with an exc lisite care that boz
ders on the rea'fhs of coqIiette.
She dresses her hair alway8n plaits
q abe did before her frou6le. Her
dressing maid is not admitted in her
sleeping apartment; she alone presides
over all the details OF he oilet. She
preserves q remarkable memory for all
the usual affairs of life. Thus on
fixed day note is written ordering her
bath to be got ready. If, when she has
ordered q special plate foi Der dinner
and that plate is not brought on the
table she simply remarks the fact in
writing, without reproach, without i'll
temper, like person who notices an
omission and then calls attention to it.
When the weather is fine she walks in
the park every Gay at about eleven
o'clock. She invariably follows the
same road, walking always at a very
rapid pace. It need scarcely be added
that she is watched at distance with
out her knowledge and that every pre-
caution is taken 70 shield her from ac-
cident
She often takes to music and some
times she designs and executes paint
ing with taste and talent. Music seems
to charm and soothe her. while painting
absorbs and captivates. With her dis
position, with disinclination for all
human society, it is difficult to pay her
visit without causing her pain. Her mai
esty the queen, only visits Tervreren
every fortnight, and even then she does
not see the princess /; this depends upon
the temper Of the patient. Several times
every day. however, news is sent from
the chateau de Lacken or to the royal
palace at Brussels. Every month DIR.
Gheel visits the august patient, the
ueen habi 'tually accompanying him in
these visits. The visits seem really sad,
and are always to this effect The
doctor asks the patient rs 10 her health,
when she always replies, -'Oh, Tn very
well, then turns her back upon him and
walks away.-Independence Beige.