Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-04-20
MAxIM,LiAN'S REIGN.
The C1osine Days of the Inflated Me,
icau I'm Dire.

Vn0 NIO01nG Dayo OF the ll1sIate0 NxG0s
ican Umpire.
Mrs. Sara Y. Stevenson Is cOntrlbu-
ting to the Century a series of papers
on the French Intervention In Mexico.
In a late number of the magazine Mrs.
Stevenson writes Of Mexican Society
in Maximilian's Time. 1856" She says
Of the last days of the empire:
The pOmp and dignity Of the court
had vanished, and social life in the capi-
tai no longer centered about the In
perial palace. Even previous to the
departure Of the Empress, the Monday
receptions had been discontinued, with
out their loss being seriously felt. At
best they had never been other than
dull, formal affairs. The ballroom was
a large hall. always insufficiently light
ed, and narrowed in the middle by the
platform where stood the imperial
throne under a canopy Of velvet. Here.
after their new guests had been Off
cially presented in an adjoining hall,
the Emperor and Empress seated them
selves. Before supper they made a
solemn tour of the ballroom. The
dancing then ceased, and the crowd
stood in chilled expectancy, and made
way for them, each in turn receiving,
rs they passed, a smile, a nod, or some
commonplace word of greeting.
Macmillan was happy in his re-
marks on such occasions. Naturally
nffable and kindly, like most princes
trained to this sort of thing, his men,
nr fnr Nd g, II
able. We were presented at court on
the first of the imperial fortnightly
Mondays, and with us, of course, the
lnrger number Of guests present; and
yet, some weeks later, when making
his tour Of the ballroom, the Emperor
stopped before us, and inquired about
an absent member Of the family, ap-
parently 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,
although the whole expression Of his
face revealed weakness and indecision.
He looked, and was, a gentleman. His
dignity was without hauteur. His man
of making you feel at ease; and he pos
sessed far more personal magnetism
tban did the Empress.
Hers was a strong. Intelligent face.
the lines Of which We're somewhat hard
at times; and her determined express
sion impressed one with the feeling
that she was the better equipped of the
tpt 81 a ~,
culties Of practical life. 1t is probable
that, had she been alone, she might
have made a better attempt at solving
the problems than did Macmillan; at
least such was Marshal Bazaine's opin-
ion, as expressed before me on one Dc
ca sion, during her brief regency, when
she had shown special firmness and
clear Judgment in dealing with certain
complicated state affairs.
She, however, was reserved. some
what lacking in tact and adaptability;
and a certain haughtiness Of manner a
dignity too conscious Of itself, at first
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 a superior
lty 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
the prudence and de-
cided ability with which she had con-
Quoted the difficult affairs of the realm
during the Emperor's absence In 1864,
Ii 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
reared.