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LIFE OF MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY.
and braver prince have their resting-place in the tomb of the Hapsburgs.[1]
The afflicted Empress, on her arrival in Europe, entreated Napoleon III. to send aid to her husband in Mexico. Finding her appeals of no avail, she was overwhelmed with such intense grief that reason forsook its throne. Maury was deeply affected by the sad fate of these friends, involving the destruction of all his beneficent schemes for the good of Mexico. The last letter he received from the unfortunate Empress Carlotta enclosed photographs of herself and of the Emperor Maximilian.
- ↑ The following description of the vault under the Capuchin Church in Vienna, which is the last resting-place of the Imperial House of Hapsburg, was furnished by a friend of the author, who visited it in 1881:— "We were admitted by a long and gloomy descent. The monk in attendance first showed us with his candle the oldest tombs, which are richly decorated. In the centre of the principal chamber is the stately double sarcophagus containing the bodies of Maria Theresa and Francis I. Surrounding them are the bodies of her fourteen children, The coffin of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, occupies an adjoining recess. The position seems to have been specially chosen, and the sarcophagus is a handsome one. It is still covered with wreaths; and many similar tokens of respect and love hang on the wall over it, with inscriptions. They are sympathetic offerings of members of his family and of great men. Upon the lid there rests a silver wreath of palm-leaves, placed there by his unhappy widow."
