The Empress’ Journey to Europe
On the seventh of July, 1866, the following unexpected announcement
appeared in one of the Mexican journals: “Her Majesty, the Empress,
leaves to-morrow for Europe, where she is to arrange the settlement of
various matters of Mexican as well as international import. No greater
proof of patriotism and self-denial could be furnished on the part of
our sovereign than the assumption of this mission, the more so as the
Empress sails from Vera Cruz, where yellow fever is so prevalent at this
season. We publish this in order that the people may know the real
purpose of Her Majesty’s journey.”
The Empress Carlotta’s sudden departure aroused great excitement. It was
generally felt, and not without reason, that such a step must have been
due to weighty causes, the issue of which it was at that time impossible
to foresee. For Maximilian it marked a turning-point in his career. It
was as if with the departure of his guardian angel, Fortune too had
forsaken him and abandoned him to his fate.
[Illustration: _EMPRESS CARLOTTA_]
Unexpectedly and most uncomfortably for Napoleon, Carlotta arrived at
St. Nazaire on the eighth of August by the packet-boat, _Empress
Eugénie_. She was met by the Mexican ambassador, Almonte, and his wife,
who travelled with her to Paris without delay. Metternich, the Austrian
ambassador, was awaiting her at the Grand Hotel, and on the eleventh of
August she had a long interview with Napoleon at St. Cloud. Accounts
vary as to what actually transpired on this memorable occasion, but
according to Hellwald, who seems a reliable authority, three points were
discussed. The first related to the postponement of the withdrawal of
the first detachment of French troops from November, 1866, to April,
1867, by which time Maximilian hoped to have his own army so
strengthened that he could better spare the French. Juarez had been
making such headway in the north that the Emperor did not dare as yet to
dispense with his allies. Next the Empress desired that Bazaine should
be immediately recalled and General Donay sent out in his place, a
request not difficult to understand considering the many differences
that had occurred between Maximilian and the Marshal. The third point
concerned Mexico’s ever empty exchequer. By the Treaty of Miramar Mexico
had agreed to repay her financial obligations to France; but, as we have
seen, she was by no means able to pay her debts or even the interest on
them.
In her first interview the Empress accomplished nothing. Napoleon was
unwilling to defer the withdrawal of his troops for some months, for
fear of giving offence to the government at Washington. As to the second
point no agreement was arrived at, for Bazaine was not recalled. When he
did leave Mexico at last, he not only took the entire army with him, but
also induced the volunteers from Austria and Belgium to resign. As to a
settlement of the Mexican debt, however, a separate treaty was
concluded.
On the twenty-second of August Empress Eugénie and Emperor Napoleon made
a final visit to Empress Carlotta, who left Paris on the following day
for Brussels. From there she went to Italy, and on the twenty-ninth
arrived once more at Miramar where she had spent so many happy days.
Another task now awaited her. As the negotiations between Maximilian’s
ministry and the papal nuncio concerning the religious situation in
Mexico had been unsuccessful, Carlotta determined to try and settle the
affair herself. On the twenty-fifth of September, therefore, she arrived
again in Rome with her suite and two days later had a long audience with
the Pope. Soon after this she was suddenly taken ill. At first her
attack was said to be only the result of the fatigues of her long
journey and the change of climate, an explanation which seemed
sufficiently plausible. The real nature of the illness could not be long
concealed, however. The Empress’ mind had become totally deranged, and
her malady was later pronounced incurable. Shocked as all Europe was by
this dreadful news, what must have been its effect upon Maximilian! How
he received it, is told as follows by his own physician, Dr. Basch:
“The Emperor at this time was living entirely secluded in the palace,
only Herzfeld, the Minister of State, Father Fischer, the court
chaplain, and myself being present at his table. There were no invited
guests till the eighteenth of August, for the afternoon of which a large
dinner was planned. That morning the Emperor held a council of state, at
the close of which I entered the imperial cabinet. While I was present,
two cable despatches arrived from Europe, at sight of which His Majesty
was visibly alarmed. His forebodings were well founded. The first was
sent by Castello from Rome on the fifth of October, and read:
“‘Her Majesty, the Empress, has succumbed to the fatigues and
difficulties of her mission, and must be taken to Miramar without delay,
accompanied by her physicians.’
“The other, dated the twelfth, was from Count Bombelles at Miramar, and
contained the further information that all hope was not yet abandoned.
Her Majesty, with her entire suite, was at Miramar, and a member of the
household would follow at once with advices. Herzfeld opened the
despatches and, unwilling to break their contents too suddenly to the
Emperor, pretended that he was unable to decipher them exactly, but
reassured His Majesty by asserting that the news apparently referred to
the illness of some one at Miramar, probably one of the Empress’
ladies-in-waiting, Madame Bario, who was a Mexican.
“The facts could not long be concealed, however, for the Emperor,
suspecting that something was being withheld from him, insisted upon
knowing the truth.
“‘I feel that something terrible has happened,’ he declared. ‘Tell me
what it is, for I am consumed with anxiety.’
“While Herzfeld was seemingly studying the despatches more closely, I
retired to my apartment, but was soon summoned again by His Majesty. As
I entered, he turned to me, tears streaming down his cheeks, and asked,
“‘Do you know who Dr. Riedel is in Vienna?’
“At the mention of this name, the truth flashed upon me. Herzfeld had
disclosed the news, and much as I longed to spare the Emperor, I could
not lie to him.
“‘He is the director of the Insane Asylum,’ I was reluctantly forced to
reply.”
These melancholy tidings only served to hasten the impending crisis.
Already disheartened by repeated trials and disappointments, Maximilian
now saw his last hope vanish, and felt himself deserted by Providence.
Indifferent to all that passed, his only thought seemed to be of
hastening to his beloved wife and leaving behind him this ill-fated
country to which she had been so cruelly sacrificed.