The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-05-12
MAxIMILIAN,s REIGN.
The Closing Days OF the Gcniai Hui
rt-Fated Emperor of
Mexico.

The pomp and dignity Of the court
had vanished, and social life in the
capital no longer ceptered about the
imperial palace.
Even previous to the departure OF
the empress, the Monday receptions had
been discontinued. without their loss
being seriously felt. At best they had
never been other than dull, formal az
fairs. The ballroom was a large haH,
always insufliciently lighted, and mar
rowed in the middle by the platform
where stood the imperial throne under
a canopy of velvet. Here, after their
new guests had been officially present
ed in an adjoining hall. the emperor
and empress seated themselves. Before
supper they made solemn tour of
the ballroom. The dancing then ceased,
and the crowd stood in chilled expect
ancy, and made way for them, each in
turn receiving, as they passed, smile.
a nod, or some commonplace word of
greeting.
MaNimilian was happy in his remarks
on such occasions. Naturally affable
and kindly, like most princes trained
TO this sort of thing. his memory for
names and faces was remarkable We
were presented at court on the first
of the imperial fortnightly Mondays,
and with us. of course, the larger num-
ber of the guests present; and yet,
some weeks later, when making his
tour of the ballroom. the emperor
stopped before us. and inquired about
al absent member of the family. APP
parcntly placing us exactly. Many
other instances of his memory and
power of observation in such small
matters were related by others.
He was TALL slight and handsome, al
though the whole expression of his face
revealed weakness and indecision. He
looked, and was, gentleman. His
dignity was without hauteur. His man
ner was attractive; he had the faculty
OF making you feel at ease; and he
possessed far more personal magnet
ism than did the empress.
Hers was strong, intelligent face,
the lines of which were somewhat hard
at times; and her determined express
sion impressed one with the feeling
that she was the better equipped of
the two intelligently to cope with the
difficulties of practical life. 1t is prob
able that, had she been alone, she
might have made better attempt at
solving the problems than did Maximil-
ian; at least such was Marshal Bazaine's s
opinion, as expressed before me on one
occasion, during her brief regency,
when she had shown special frmness
and clear judgment in dealing with GER
tain complicated state affairs.
She, however, was reserved. some
what lacking in tact and adapta bility;
and a certain haughtiness of manner,
dignity too conscious of itself. at
first repelled many who were disposed
to feel kindly towards her. 1t is more
than likely that under this proud mien
she concealed a suffering spirit, or. at
least, the consciousness of superior
ity that must efface itself Who will
ever know the travail of her proud
heart and the prolonged strain under
which her mind finally succumbed :?
For Notwithstanding the prudence and
decided ability with which she had con-
Quoted the difficult affairs of the realm
during the emperor's absence in 1864.
it was limited that on his return she
was allowed little say in public affairs,
and that her advice when given was
seldom followed. After her departure
even the semblance of a court disap-
peared.-Mrs. Sara Y. Stevenson, in
Century.