were distributed;[1] Dr Basch was given his marriage-ring, with the charge to report at home on the siege and his last days, "and tell my mother that I have done my duty as a soldier and die a good Christian."[2] During these last days came a false report that Charlotte had died. It affected him deeply, but soon grief gave way to resignation. "It is one bond less holding me to life," he said.
Shortly after six o'clock on the morning of June 19th, after mass,[3] the three prisoners were driven, each with his confessor, in a common-looking carriage, to the Cerro de la Campana, where the surrender had taken place. A strong escort kept at a distance the grief-stricken citizens, and a force of 4,000 men enclosed the field.[4] Maximilian stepped lightly from his carriage and walked with dignity to the spot assigned, stroking his beard. He was dressed in black, with high-buttoned frock-coat and broad-brimmed felt hat. "Ah, what a splendid day!" he said; "I always wished to die on such a day."
They took their position at the foot of the hill in front of a shattered wall, which, like the adjacent
- ↑ Hoorickx vainly objected to the number of legatees. Queen Victoria, the count of Flanders, and the empress of Brazil received tokens. He had directed Salm-Salm to write down a distribution of orders, Diary, i. 268, but this was overruled, as a resumption of sovereign power. Miramon commended his sons also to Gen. Arellano. Arrangoiz, iv. 337-9. Mejía's wife spurned the aid of her husband's murderer, as she termed Escobedo.
- ↑ Erin., ii. 209. After some discussion about the persons to be charged with writing the history of his reign, Father Fischer and Prince de Joinville being considered, he determined, in an unsigned codicil to his will, upon the ex-minister Ramirez and Prince Salm-Salm. See preface to the Diary of the latter for obstacles. Masseras assumes wrongly that 'la question ne fut pas tranchée.' Essai, 315.
- ↑ Maximilian had retired at eight o'clock, and fallen asleep after reading a while in Imitation of Christ. Toward midnight Escobedo intruded to say farewell. He thereupon rested peacefully till half-past three. Mass was held at five. Soon after he took breakfast of coffee, chicken, half a bottle of red wine, and bread. Dr Basch received his last injunction to take to his mother the scapulary in his vest pocket. Erin., ii. 218.
- ↑ Salm-Salm states that the hour was anticipated to prevent a demonstration; yet from the roofs some epithets and missiles were launched upon the soldiers. Diary, i. 306. Hans, Quer., 219, speaks of deserted streets, and Domenech copies him. Arias denies that insults were offered to Maximilian; others speak of loud sympathy.
