Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/321

 CHAPTER XXII.

HE history of the French intervention in Mexico terminates here. The events which happened during the last three months of Maximilian's life belong to the province of Mexican history. The elect of French policy knew how to die with all the pride which befitted a descendant of Charles the Fifth. But one cannot help regretting that he had not sought a soldier's death at Queretaro, sword in hand. A conqueror, vanquished by fortune, falls with more dignity by the hand of an enemy on the field of battle, than under the sentence of a court-martial. We cannot help thinking that Maximilian, led on to his death by a guilty faction, never ceased to hope for a peaceful issue. It was a fixed idea with him to give up the authority with which he thought he was invested into the hands of Juarez, whom he had invited to a solemn compact; this testifies how far his illusions carried him. It would be difficult in any other way to explain the conduct of the young sovereign. If he had intended to plunge into the contest, and strike a last blow for the monarchy, he would hardly have quitted the capital, which was prepared to resist any attack, and have secluded himself in an unfortified town, commanded by