THE EX-EMPRESS OF MEXICO.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2118, 18 October 1875, Page 4

THE EX-EMPRESS OF MEXICO.

The Echo de Bruxelles publishes the following details concerning the health of the ex-Empres3 of Mexico, the Princess Charlotte, daughter of the King of the Belgians, and' consort of the, unfortunate Maximilian, brother of the Emfieror of Austria, who was shot at Queretaro:; — " Our readers will recollect that the Princess Charlotte became insane in consequence of the tragical "fleath of her consort The mental situation of the ex-Empress Charlotte is very strange; she appears to belong no longer to this world—she speaks to nobody, recognises no one, and lives in continual conversation with imaginary beings. The persons composing her suite or attending her do not appear to exist for her ; she looks, at them and seems not to see them. Society is irksome to her. Her appetite is excellent, and she writes with her own hand every day her bill of fare with an astonishing intelligence of the changes which seasons bring for the usual alimentation. She gives for that purpose, as well as for other things, her orders in writing. She has chos'eh in the castle a table upon which she puts notes, which are taken at fixed hours. Under that head there is no hesitation and no confusion in her mind. The Princess carries the love for.solitude to such an extent that she refuses to be attended to. She dresses herself, and evinces a particular care and a great coquetlerie in her toilet. She dresses her hair always in flat .bands, as she^used to do formerly. Her maid of the chamber is not admitted into her bedroom ; she performs herself-all the details of her toilet. She has preserved a remarkable memory of! the usual things of life. ■ Thus, on fixed days a note orders to'yprepare her bath. : If, when she has ordered, a dish for one of. her meals, that dish has not been served for one cause or another, she makes an observation in writing, without any reproach, without bad humour, as a person taking a note of an omission. When the weather is fine she takes a walk in the park every, day, about eleven o'clock. She follows invariably the same road,.walking very quickly. It is needless to say that: she; is watched from a distance, and that every precaution is taken to protect her against any accident. She often plays music; she draws and paints with a certain talent; music appears to console and charm her; painting absorbs and captivates . her. In these dispositions .of mind it is difficult to pay her a visit without afflicting her. Every month, a doctor from Gheel comes to visit the illustrious patient. The Queen accompanies him generally in this visit. The doctor enquires, about the health of the Princess, who answers drily,' ' Doing well,' then turns her back to him, and retires." ■