The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-23
THE EMPRESS CARLOrTA
Very Near the q Ose or Sad an,
Troubled Career.

Very Near the q Ose OF q Sad and
Troubled Career.
The ex-Empress Carlotta of Mex.
leo 10 lying seriously i'll at the beauti-
ful old castle Of Bouchout, near Brus.
sells. She was born June z, 1910, the
daughter OF Leopold |, King of Bel
GUM, aud his wife, the Princess
Louise, daughter OF Louis Philippe,
King OF the French; and she is the
only sister of Leopold ii, the present
King OF Belgium. Her sad history ia
boon told. On July q, 1877, she was
married to the Archduke Macmillan
OF Austria. This unfortunate man
was elected Emperor Of Mexico on
July 10, 1863 When, ia consequence
OF the opposition OF the United States
government, he lost French support,
the empire collapsed, and July 10,
1857, Macmillan was shot by the
Mexican authorities. The awful
shock Of her husbands execution
robbed Carlotta of her reason, and
Tor between eighteen and nineteen
years abe has been hopelecsly insane
During the early period of her mad
ness q aemblanCe OF court lie was
kept up around her. She was then
living at Tervueren, where receptioss
were regularly held, such as in former
days frightened life at the old palace
OF Iturbide in Mexico. The Empress
herself went through the ceremonies
with the same grace as of old, and
after certain number OF people had
gathered around her, she would thank
them Tor coming to see 1.-THE great
Empress 0! Mexico" and then rising
from her simulated throne, move
toward the adjoining rooms, saving:
"You wish, no doubt, to lay your trib-
ute at the feet OF bis majesty, the EN-.
peror ] will go and find him" Re.
turning alter few moments, she
would say: ~ cannot find the En-.
peror, bat he will see you as soon as
he returps." With this she recon-
menced an animated conversation on
the present situation and the brilliant
future prospects OF the Emperor, and
taking up his portrait, she exhorted
him to rise higher and higher still, |
and NOT to strive for one, but for ten,
twenty-nay, for all the crowns OF the
world. The courtiers, moved to tears
by the pathetic scene, would bow low
and take their departure, unperceiyed
by the excited Empress, who, after
awhile, would majestically sweep
through the rooms, haughtily COM
imaginary pages to carry her
train. But the proud, hard look
melted into sweetness and tenderness
when, on her daily walk through the
sround5, her eyes followed the fight
81 birds or clouds.
After the confiagration OF Teryueren
the little court moved to Bouchout,
and the Empress has, in the course OF
lime, become less excited. Receptions
were no longer held, and the court
circle consists only Of the ladies Of
honor, belonging TO the Belgian aris-
tocraey, eight of whom in turn reside
Tor a week at Bouchout. Several
hours were spent every day at the
piano, and az Empress Callota Is
herself distinguished artistic, these
entertainments were hi3hlV .
appreciated by all. Fancy work was
also one OF the fAvolite occupations OF
the Empress, and her embroideries are
said to equal those of the best Paris
workers. While listening to the
music, or busy with her needle, the
Empress never uttered single word, |
but seemed lost in thought, and il was .
very rarely that during her daily |
walks she broke the silence. On Sun |
day, during divine service, which she |
regularly attended, when the voice of
the organ was heard through the
chapel, her soul seemed TRANSPORTED,
and q strange smile lighted up the
features of one OF the most uniortun-
lte women of this century.