The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-22

band at MaximiIian's Court-A Brill
Paris, FOLLOWED by the Troubles
That Came After Metz.
Pathos and comedy, romance and adj
venture are strangely mixed in the ca
reer which came to an end when Nine
Bazaine died recently at a private hos
pital in the suburbs of the City of MeXi-
co. During the last thirty years she
twice passed from one extreme of life
to the other. Every experience from
palace to a prison was hers. She was
among the most brilliant figures at two
great courts in two great continents
Each time she saw the throne about
which the court was gathered swept
away, and each time the fortunes OF
herself and her husband went down In
the ruins. Once they were raised to
even grander heights of power and IN
huence, but the second time the wreck
was complete, absolute, final. Instead
of being first among the counselors OK
an Emperor, her husband, Marshal
Bazaine became convicted criminal,
condemned to death, but finally repriev-
ed and sent to spend the remainder
of his life in a castle dungeon. From
this living death he was rescued by the
ingenuity and courage of his wife, who
fled with him into exile and was MS
faithful helpmate until death came to
end his ruined career. Surely no wom-
an ever lived more romantic life or
gave stronger proofs of that devotion
which endures even unto death.
In 1855 the Austrian Archduke Maxi
milan was seated on the throne of
Mexico His court Was almost as splen-
did as those of the monarchies of Eu-
rope, after which it was modelled, and
by which it was supported. But al
ready there We're many indications OF
troubles ahead. The revolutionists
were gathering in the interior. The
Churchman were plotting in the capital
itself. In this juncture Marshal Bazaine,
a veteran French soldier of many wars
in Europe and Africa, was made COM
manGer- in chief of the armies of Maxi
milan He was already a widoWer
having buried his young wife two years
sition he showed himself a strong man,
handling the complicated questions
which arose with firmness and discre-
ton In personal appearance he was a
typical soldier, sturdy in figure and
martial in bearing, carrying his 81 years
like boy of 80.
One night in 1866, Emperor Macmillan
gave a grand ball at his palace. Mar
tn
guests. AS he was passing in state
through the ballroom, a young Mexican
girl. who had been Waiting, tore her
skirt of her lace dress and stopped to
repair it, The gallant French soldier
was the first to come to her rescue.
When the rent had been mended the
Apung girl thanked the great man and
walked away with her partner. But
Marshal BaZaine had for the second
time lost his heart.
"Who is this?' he asked of his at
tendants.
He was told that the young woman
was Mile. De la Pena, the youngest
daughter of an ancient Mexican house.
Then he excused himself, followed her
through the crowds and begged the
honor of an introduction.
Their courtship was short Bazaine
was a soldier, accustomed to taking for
tresses by storm. Mile De la Pena had
all the tropical warmth of nature. Their
engagement was announced to the EN-
peror He gave them his blessing, be-
Heving that the marriage of his com
mander-in-c chief to a native Mexican
would tend to make his rule more popu-
lar and his throne more secure. When
they were married the Emperor gave
the young girl as her dowry the palace
of San Cosme, located in a beautiful
suburb west of the capital city. 1t was
an imperial gift, for the buildings and
grounds were valued at more than $780,
600. The unfortunate Empress Carlotta
gave the bride magnificent necklace
of diamonds.
The next two years were spent by
Marshal Bazaine and his beautiful wife
in and about the court A child was
born to them, and never was husband
more proud of wife and child than was
the old soldier. Finally, the French
army under the pressure of the United |
States, was ordered to embark for home,
leaving Emperor Macmillan to his fate.
Marshal Bazaine and his wife sailed
with the fleet which took the soldiers
back to France. On MS ARRIVAL the |
Marshal was greeted with a storm Of
reproaches. 1t was declared that he had
played the part of a coward, but |
through it all he retained the confidence |
Of his imperial master, Napoleon III.
Then came the most brilliant part of |
the career of the woman who died the |
other day in Mexico. Her husband was |
made a Senator Of France; he was plac-
ed in command Of the army corps sta |
toned at Nancy; later he emphasized |
the high value which he placed upon |
hie services. Napoleon gave him chief
command of the Imperial Guards. |
Meanwhile the young Mexican girl was |
received with equal favor at the gay |
court Princes and dukes, marquises, |
counts and barons were as plentiful and |
as splendid as butterflies Among them |
Nine lie Marechale took her place as a |
grand dame. Daily she rode in her gilt |
tering chariot through the magnificent |
avenue of the Champs Elysees, or in |
the winding and shady alleys of the for |
est of Boulogne. Life was all roses and |
sunshine on the surface, though the day |
~ hun1ilia tion was near at hand.
I,,~Ir