The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-17
Two More Bills Passed by the senate
THE MAD EMPRESS DYING.
End of the Unhappy Charlotte, of Mex
leo. Expected i'm a short Time.

New York Tribune.
1t melancholy day for the MEM
June Z. when they made their annual Off
cial pilgrimage TO the Chateau de Bou-
ent their best wishes TO the unhappy
Charlotte. ex-Empress of Mexico. Ii was
the nfty3Lourth anniversary OF her birth.
Her condition since that day, too has con-
tinued TO grow worse, so that IL is be-
lieved the Princess is soon to be relieved
by death from her sufferings.
Until a short time ago, she had at least
moments when she appeared TO be herself
and understand in part, at least, what was
said TO her. These moments came most
frequently in the presence of her sster-in-
law, the Queen for whom she always man.
lowed near her, in fact. as the presence
of one whom she does not like or who
tremble and thus Increases her sufferings.
But she had always welcomed the Queen,
whose presence had soothing effect upon
her.
But when her Majesty approached her on
the birthday anniversary mentioned the
eyes. from which no ray of intelligence
flashed. Even the announcement few
JSsenhjne had had been married had no effect
whatever upon her. She did not realize
the meaning of the words spoken. Until
and her improvisations at times were beau-
tiful-the fancies Of a mad brain But
growing weaker daily. and the end of her
suffering is not thought to be. far distant.
She cares little for dress now, while for
brilliant colors and wearing beautiful new
costumes. Daily among other things 4
on her dressing table, but these she r
never draws over her shapely hands She
has given up her walks. and remains in ner
room day after day. mostly stretched out
on her bed, her eyes haggard and her face
thin and pale.
The people of Belgium have taken the
deepest interest in the welfare Of the Prln-
cess Charlotte, as they always call her, ig-
noring the title of Empress, In the twenty
There is a tradition or belief in Belgium
that her condition Is due TO a drink made
from plant n Mexico, administered to her
husband ruleG for so short time. The
plant. it is said, cau@ed the loss of reason
and gradual death.
But there are ether ways of explaining
the lamentable affection of the once ambi-
tious and lovely woman. The exciting in
cidents through which she passed, the hui
Mutations which she suffered, the violent
emotions which she felt, the thought OF her
husband-all tended to shake her reason.
1t was on her return from st. Cloud,
where Napoleon III had received her, that
the first mad symptoms manifested them
selves He then had finally announced that
he would do nothing for her, and was TO
recall the French troops from Mexico, adj
vising Maximillan to give up an impossible
struggle and return TO Europe. She left Ma
2oleon in despair, and. arriving at the
of insanity. Go away, you miserable
wretches go away she cried TO Messrs.
Castillo and De Vale. her favorites among
her husbands councillors, who had accom-
panied her on her mission.
A little later she made her pilgrimage
Rome to see the Pope and beg mis- inter-
cession with the Mexican clergy, as last
resort Falling On her knees before his
Holiness. she cried: 'St. Peter. issue buI
l beg you. to all Christians. condemning
those who wish to imprison me-"
The political part which she had wished
to play ended in that supplication. She shut
herself up soon afterward in Chateau Mira
mir and later she was transported to Bel
GUM, where she was confined at first in the
castle of Tervureren, and still later in the
Chateau de Bouchout, where she is to-day.
Ii is uncertain whether she ever knew the
real end of MAMMALIAN. AT least, for years
she has believed that he still lives a
prisoner in Mexico. Only a few months ago
she wrote letters TO all the sovereigns II
Europe, demanding their aid in his behalf.