The evening times., 1898-03-01
The Last Days of MaximiIian

tE51W the teUIurN.t
The pomp and dignity of the court
had vanished. and social life in the cap
itaI no longer cerered about the impe-
rial 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 duh, formal af-
fairs. The ballroom was a large hall.
always insuffieientiy 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. Be
fore supper they made solemn tour OF
the ballroom. The dancing then ceas-
ed. and the crowd stood in chilled ex-
pectancy and made way for them. each
in turn receiving. as they passed, a
smile. a nod or some commonplace
word of greeting.
Macmillan was happy in his remarks
on such occasions. Naturally aHaOie
and kindly. like most princes trained %
this sort of thing. his memory Tor
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 number
of the guests present: and yet, some
weeks later. when making his tour of
the ballroom. the Emperor stopped be-
fore US and inquired about an absent
member of the family. apparently plac-
ing Us exactly. Many other instances
of his memory and power of observa-
ton in such small matters were related
by others.
He was tall. slight. and handsome.
although the whole expression OF MS
faca revealed weakness and indecistOn.
He locked. and was, a gentleman. His
7 dignity was without hauteur. Ills man
per was attractive; he had the faculty
of making you feel at ease, and he pos
sessed far more personal magnetism
than did the Empress
Hers was a 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 intellectually to cope with the
difficulties of practical life. 1t is pTOba-
bic that had she been alone she might
have made a better attempt at solving
! the problems than did MaXimilian; at
/ least. such was Marshal BaZaine 5
| opiuion. as expressed before me on enc
I occasion. during her brief regency.
! when she had shown special firInneSS
! and clear judgment in dealing with GER
| tain 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
repealed many who were disposed to
! feel kindly toward her. Ii is more than
! likely that under this proud mien she
concealed a suffering spirit. or at least
! the consciousness of a superiority 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. nOtwithstand-
ing the prudence and decided ability
with which she had conducted the diff
ficuit affairs of the realm during the
Emperor's absence in 1854, il was hint
ed that on his return she was allowed
little say in public affairs. and that her
advice when given was seldom follow
ed. After her departure even the SEMI
blance of court disappeared.