The emperor was generally gay and ready to converse at table, but he made it a rule never to criticise or discuss living persons himself, or allow others to do so in his hearing.

There was much decorum at court so far as his influence extended in the imperial circle, but there were plenty of scandals outside of it; and as to money matters, even Persigny and Fleury—­one the friend of the emperor for five-and-twenty years, and the other devotedly attached to him—­could not restrain themselves from cheating him and tricking him whenever they could.

[Illustration:  EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN.]

CHAPTER X.

MAXIMILIAN AND MEXICO.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Much of the material of this chapter is taken from Victor Tissot’s book of travels in Austria; the chapter on Maximilian as archduke and emperor I translated from advance-sheets, and it was published in the “Living Age” under the title “From Miramar to Queretaro.” -E.  W. L.]

Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, was born the same week that his cousin, the unfortunate son of Napoleon and Marie Louise, had died.  He grew to manhood handsome, well educated, accomplished, and enterprising.  He had the great gift of always making himself personally beloved.  The navy was his profession, but his great desire was to be made viceroy of the (then) Austrian provinces of Italy.  He felt sure that he could conciliate the Italians, and a great Italian statesman is reported to have said that it was well for Italian unity that his wish was never granted.  His ideas were all liberal, and opposed to those of Metternich.  His family mistrusted his political opinions, but the Italians, when brought into personal contact with him, soon learned to love him.  They saw a great deal of him, for Trieste and Venice were at that period the naval stations of the Austrian Empire.  He was, therefore, often in those places, and finally took up his residence in an earthly paradise upon the Adriatic, created by himself and called by him Miramar.

In June, 1857, when the Indian Mutiny was at its height, though tidings of it had not yet reached the western world, the Archduke Maximilian, whom the English royal family had never met, arrived at Windsor, and was hailed there as one who was soon to become a relative, for he was engaged to King Leopold’s only daughter, the Princess Charlotte of Belgium.

The queen and her husband were charmed with Maximilian.  “He is a young prince,” writes Prince Albert, “of whom we hear nothing but good, and Charlotte’s alliance with him will be one of the heart.  May Heaven’s blessing,” he adds, “be upon a connection so happily begun, and in it may they both find their life’s truest happiness!”

The queen also wrote to her uncle Leopold,—­

“The archduke is charming,—­so clever, natural, kind, and amiable; so English in his feelings and likings.  With the exception of the mouth and chin, he is good looking, but I think one does not the least care for that, he is so very kind, clever, and pleasant.  I wish you really joy, dearest uncle, at having got such a husband for dear Charlotte.  I am sure he will make her happy, and do a great deal for Italy.”