Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-19

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frequently referred to Macmillan.
But each time it was reported that
she had recovered her reason, a veil
again descended over her mind.
To avoid troubling her, she was
kept in ignorance Of many events,
such as the tumbling of thrones and
dynasties and even less important
happenings within the Belgian royal
family. Thus she did not know of
the marriage of her favorite grand
nephew, Crown Prince Leopold, to
Princess Astrid of Sweden, or the
death last year of Cardinal MERCER.
Her mind cleared for a few mo-
ments yesterday. She was given ex-
treme JUNCTION and was able to talk
nationally to the members of the
royal family. Then she lapsed into
inconsistencies and slept fitfully un-
til death came.
The question whether she really
was insane has been a matter of
much speculation. For a long time
the ex- Empress suffered from hal
lucinations of persecution, but these
gradually subsidized and eventually
disappeared. There have been many
instances showing that her mind
was clear. Many friends maintained
that she feigned dementia through
pride so that she could continue to
act, talk and be treated still as an
Empress. Her relatives never took
any action to have her declared in
competent, as the Belgian law re-
quires in cases of violent insanity
The ex-Empress some months ago
startled her encourage by showing
indications of independence and san
ity. She summoned Col Van Eek
haudt commander of the castle, and
asked:
Il am entirely free, am / not?''
Certainly, Your Majesty" replied
the colonel.
Walks Outside Grounds.
The former Empress indicated that
fhat being the case she would go out
side the boundaries of the extensive
forest surrounding the chateau. In
the course of her customary walk
she requested the guard at the great
iron gates leading to the main road
10 let her pass. He did so and for
the first time in more than so years
the former Empress walked about
100 yards beyond the domain in
which she had lived in such seclusion
The ladies in charge remained at a
distance observing her Charlotte re-
turned with a pleased air and sew
eral times afterward repeated the ex-
perience, but never going far on the
road
Her chateau was situated several
miles outside Brussels in a park of
about 400 acres, which was surrounded
by high iron fence. In her latter
years the members of her household
kept up the imperial court, maintain
ing every form of respect and defer
ence, much as though Charlotte We're
d reigning sovereign.
The former Empress continued her
practice of rising about z in the morn
ing, and, after making a careful toilet,
went for walk in the gardens or for
a drive to the more remote parts of
the domain. After dinner it was her
custom TO talk with members of her
court or to listen to music of the piano
or phonograph, both OF which she was
very fond. She treated every one near
her with lofty courtesy.
Never Mentioned Death.
Never in the so years or more was
Charlotte known TO have mentioned
her deposed and executed Emperor
/ husband, Macmillan, and never in all
that time was the word death" spok-
en- in her presence. She was never
known to have spoken or written any.
thing that settled definitely whether
she was sane or insane or realized
that she had lost her title
Neither was it known whether she
left "A will.
When the Germans swept through
Belgium AT the beginning of the Euro.
pean war they left the asylum of the
eX-Empress unscathed by shot and
shell, for the Austrian flag floated
over the gateway of the grounds.
+ Later. however, the governor general
at Brussels was obliged to order the
+ following notice placed at the entrance
to the grounds to prevent annoyance
of the Empress by the increasing mum
/ her of trespaSsers curious to see her
This habitation, the property OF
/ the Belgian crown, is occupied by Her
! Ma iesty of Mexico, Archduchess Maxi