message announcing the mental condition of his consort. With trembling voice and tear-dimmed eyes he consulted with his intimate associates,[1] what best to do, and his health and nerves requiring in any case a change, he was advised to proceed to Orizaba, there to await developments, while benefiting from the balmy temperature of the tierra templada. A strong reason for leaving is said to have been the hope of succeeding to the sceptre of his brother, on the strength of his own popularity as the once liberal governor of Lombardy, and of the discontent evoked by the late humiliating war with Prussia.[2]
On learning of the intended journey, the public in general immediately suspected the truth, and the fate of the empire was freely discussed with voice and
- ↑ Il nous répugne de croire que ces sentiments coupables aient pu pénétrer dans l'âme élevée et si généreuse de ce prince,' objects Détroyat. L'Interven., 290; and Basch, Erinn., i. 79-so, naturally defends his prince warmly against 'die schamlosen Insinuationen,' declaring that he intended to travel for two years before returning to Austria. In the plan, as dictated by Maximilian, Corfu is mentioned as a point at which to meet the empress, 'or somebody' from Miramare, if she could not come. But Basch, who would probably not have been informed of such designs, forgets that the protest of Maximilian in Dec. 1864 against his renunciation meant something, that brotherly feeling would no longer have deterred him, and that the letter of Eloin, then on secret mission in Europe, as will be alluded to, is entitled to a certain weight. Kératry lays great stress on this letter, and even believes that Maximilian may have hoped to unite the Austrian and Mexican sceptres. McLX., 221. Arrangoiz adds the testimony of Father Gomez, Spanish teacher to the prince, and Bazaine, to the effect that Charlotte had inore than once spoken of a better crown in Europe. Méj., iv. 84-5. This came from second or third hand, however.
- ↑ Among whom were counted Basch, Councillor Herzfeld, lately consul general at Vienna and early bosom friend, Count de Bombelles, formerly captain in the Austrian navy, and raised to a general in Mexico, Fischer, the unctuous priest, and Prof. Bilimek of the museum. Basch declared that the French having broken their compact, Maximilian was justified before all Europe in departing, and was called away besides by the condition of the Empress. Herzfeld did the same, and urged immediate embarkation, intent only on the safety of the 'archiduke.' Basch thought that undue haste should not be allowed to reflect on the duty of the 'emperor.' Erinnerungen aus Mexico, i. 49–50, etc. According to Kératry, Bazaine urged that the abdication should be performed in Europe, so as to prevent anarchy and protect French interests.
already knew of Charlotte's mental condition, and that business connected with the estate of her father, Leopold I., lately deceased, and other matters, would in any case have detained her; hence the escort could be only for himself, and the departure for the coast meant embarkation. That the point to be discussed included abdication, 'lo sé por persona a quien lo refirió Maximiliano mismo,' asserts the positive Arrangoiz. Méj., iv. 156. Kératry, Mar., 189-92, reasons to the same effect, as do Niox and others.
