Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-06-19

The long tragedy of Maximilian and
Charlotte, of Mexico the most pictures
que aud pathetic story in its way OF
our times, has not yet reached its close.
1t was rumored year ago that the un-
happy Charlotte was at the point of
death, and for long time, indeed. her
life hovered in the balance. Those who
hold TO the Christians hope Of another
and better life beyond the grave will
hardly think it merciiul dispenS,tion
by which her weary spirit was denied
its rest. The health of the ex-Empress
is now perfect but her mental condi-
tion is inexpressibly strange aud sad.
She is in the world, but not Of it. She
believes herself to be continually sur.
rounded by beings of another sphere,
with whom she alone corverscs.
She never utters word 10 any OF her
servants or attendants, and the presence
of any human being throws her into
fever of ennui and vexation. Her sis
terin-law, the Queen Of the Belgians,
comes once more to visit her in coripa-
ny with her physician. The ex-Empress
receives them with cold courtesy. II
ann very well" she replies, and turning
away, walks out Of the room. She
manages her whole establishment,
which is worthy OF her exalted rank, at
the place of Lacken, by letter. There
is a Mosaic table in one OF the grand
saloons, on which every day she lays
down her commands in writings These
notes are taken by the servants at
regular hour aud duly attended to. She
draws up every day the menu for her
table, composing with good gastrono.
mic Judgment, and dimes with good
appetite. If by accident any dish which
she orders is not served, she makes
note of the fact the next day, but never
with one word Of complaint. She is
very careful with her toilette and dress
es with all her old taste aud distinction,
dressing her own hair and dressing It
in the fiat bandsaur which were fash-
ionable when she last saw her husband,
and was with him in the dark hours
that proceeded the bloody eclipse and
midnight of Queretaro. Her ftmms de
chambre is never admitted TO her toilet.
te; but after preparing her bath aud Ger
dresses leaves the room 10 come back
only in the morning. When the wealth
er is fine she walks in the park-always
at IL o'clock, always along the same
path, and with very rapid step. or
course she is carefully watched by in
visible seutinels, but she has never
manifested any disposition to suicide.
She plays exquisitely on the piano, and
passed hours in that way. She paints
and draws also extremely well, and
still keers up this art. The marked
feature of her case is the absolute hor-
ror which she shows Of all company
but that OF her visions and her mem-
cries. One is reminded by il of the
curiously similar experience OF very
clever German writer; Justinus kerner,
the author of the "Seeress of Provorst,"
who used to live absolutely with what
he called ''his ghost One Of his
friends describes him standing at tho
doorway of ball room, with detected
face, and saying softly 10 himself, "Ob,
me, oh, me! why are not all these
pleasant ghostsi" To this '~idowed;'
childless wife. this exiled and discrown-
ed Empress, what society of the living,
indeed, could bring happiness, or peace,
or hope?