Fort Wrangel news., 1898-07-13
MAxiMlllAN'S REIGN.
The Closing Days of the Il1-fnted Mex
 icnn Empire.


 ican Empire.
 Mrs. Sarn Y. Stevenson Is contribu- ting to the Century Il series of papers on the French intervention In Mexico. In late number of the magazine Mrs. Stevenson writes of Mexican Society In Mnxlmilians Time, 1s66." She says of the last days of the empire:
 The pomp and dignity of the court had vanished, and social life In the capi- tal no longer centered about the lm- perlal 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 n large hail. always insutiiclently light ed and narrowed In the middle by the platform where stood the imperial throne under n canopy of velvet. Here, after their new guests had been olii- cially presented In an adjoining hall, the Emperor and Empress seated them selves. Before supper they made q solemn tour of the ballroom. The dancing then ceased. and the crowd stood Ill chilled expectancy. and made way for them. each in turn receiving, aS they passed. smile, Il nod. or some commonplace word of greeting.
 MaXlmillan was happy In his re marks on such occasions. Naturally aifable and kindly. like most princes trained to this sort of thing his mem ory for names and faces WAS remark able. We were presented at court on the first of the imperial fortnightly Mondays. and with Us. of course. the larger 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 lndeels;an. He looked. and Was. T gentleman. His dignity was without hanteur. Ills man Ter WIS attractive he had the faculty of making you feel at ease; and he pos- sessed far more personal magnetism than did the Empress.
 Hers WIS n strong. intelligent face. the lines of which We're somewhat hard at tlmes and her determined eXpres- sion impressed one with the feeling that she WAS the better equipped of the two lntellgently to cope with the diff culties of practical life. II k probable that, had she been alone. she might have made Il better attempt at solving the problems than did MaXlmiliau: 1t least such was Marshal Bazaine's opIn- lon. as expressed before me on one oe- ChSon. during her brief regency, when she had shown special hrmness and clear judgment In dealing with certain complicated state affairs.
 She. however. was reserved, some what lacking in tact and adaptability; and certain haughtiness of manner. dignity too conscious of itself. at first repelled many who were disposed 10 feel kindly towards her. II Is more tudu liheI! tndi uudef luls proud lllleA she concealed suffering spirit, or. at least. the consciousness of a 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 suecumhedf For notwithstanding the prudence and de- cided ability with which she had con ducted the difficult affairs of the realm during the Emperor's absence In lS,il, IL was hinted 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 court disap- peared.