Best of 2014

By Trinity University Press

Selections from Trinity University Press's best books of 2014. Includes excerpts from Maximilian and Carlota: Europe's Last Empire in Mexico by M. M. McAllen, The Osage Orange Tree by William Stafford and Dennis Cunningham, Early Morning by Kim Stafford, Outside by Barry Lopez and Barry Moser, Unchopping a Tree by W. S. Merwin and Liz Ward, Writing Architecture by Carter Wiseman, The Encyclopedia of Trouble and Spaciousness by Rebecca Solnit, A Muse and a Maze: Writing as Puzzle, Mystery, and Magic by Peter Turchi, and Nobody Home: Writing, Buddhism, and Living in Places by Julia Martin and Gary Snyder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trinity University Press
• Release date: Jan 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781595347503

Book preview

Maximilian and Carlota

M. M. McAllen

[excerpt from the Introduction: Mexicans, You Have Desired My Presence]

At Veracruz, May 1864

Waiting to disembark, Carlota viewed the Mexican seaport rather cheerfully, writing to her eighty- two-year-old grandmother, Marie-Amélie, the former queen of France, We are leaving early tomorrow morning for Mexico City and will be en route for a while. I am infinitely pleased with the appearance of Veracruz. It reminds me of Cádiz, but a bit more oriental, recalling her view of the ancient seaport on Spain’s western coast.

A short time later, French admiral Auguste Bosse and an aide rowed out to the royal steamer, climbed on deck, and Bosse proceeded to lambaste the captain for mooring in what he considered the most contagious waters at bearings so close to shore. People had died, he said, after only one night in port. Maximilian himself, a former admiral in the Austrian navy, had ordered the ship’s captain not to anchor near the French vessels but south of the fort, occupied by Napoléon III’s army, to thwart the impression, ironically, that he entered the country under French protection. He wanted his arrival to demon- strate he arrived at the invitation of the people of Mexico, who, he was assured, had voted for a monarchy. Bosse also grumbled on about guerrillas lying in wait along the long and treacherous route to Mexico City. He said that the French military commander-in-chief, Marshal François Achille Bazaine, remained too busy fighting in the field to personally escort the sovereigns from Veracruz. Maximilian tried to view the mix-ups lightly, while others stood aghast.

Finally, in the evening, Almonte and his wife, Dolores, along with Gen. Mariano Salas and other members of the Imperialist delegation arrived from Córdoba and rowed out in a few small skiffs to the Novara. Almonte, a long- time Mexican diplomat having served in France, England, and Spain, had assisted in constructing the conceptual Mexican Imperial government, ruling as chief of the regency until Maximilian’s arrival. He and the assembled Monarchists boarded the Novara, the deck illuminated by torches and lanterns, and formally welcomed Maximilian surrounded by officers and midshipmen.8

The emperor stood tall at six feet in height, a slender man with expressive blue eyes. He had very pale skin, almost pink some said, and silky, blond hair and a short beard that he parted in the middle in Austrian fashion. On this evening, he dressed in a black frock coat, white vest, and white pants, with a black cravat. He greeted the Mexican legation warmly and drew the party into the upper deck salon, where they exchanged welcomes and pleasantries. The imperial prefect of Veracruz, Domingo Bureau, addressed Maximilian as the savior of Mexico, heralding his arrival as a new era under a benign scepter. At this historic moment, long anticipated by partisans ready for a Mexican monarchy, everyone gathered marveled at Maximilian, their sovereign, thanking God for a return to solid leadership at last.9

Maximilian replied, I view with pleasure the arrival of the day when I can walk the soil of my new and beautiful country, and salute the people who have chosen me, said Maximilian. May God grant that the goodwill that led me toward you may be advantageous to you; and that all good Mexicans uniting to sustain me, there will be better days for Mexico.

Maximilian then introduced Carlota to the committee. A pretty and tall but delicate-looking woman with dark and flashing eyes, she commanded attention without having to utter a word, accustomed as she was to being under- stood, the only daughter of the king of Belgium. In conversation, she had the habit of squinting as though trying to focus. She smiled, laughed, and usually conveyed a pleasant demeanor but transmitted the attitude that she was not in the habit of putting up with anyone’s trifling.

Joaquín Velásquez de León, the newly appointed secretary of state, made a sincere, welcoming speech to the imperial couple and then addressed Carlota. The Mexicans, Madam, who expect so much from the good influence of your Majesty in favor of all that is noble and great, of all that bears relation to the elevated sentiments of religion and of country, bless the moment in which your Majesty reached the soil and proclaim in one voice, ‘Long Live the Empress.’ In slow but good Spanish, Carlota thanked the delegation, saying how happy she was at arriving in her new country. Afterward, during the reception, Almonte’s wife, Dolores, spontaneously embraced Carlota in customary Mexican fashion. The empress recoiled with uncertain awkwardness, unaccustomed to this sort of greeting, against the protocol and formality of the Belgian court.

From the Novara, Maximilian issued a written statement to the people of Mexico: "Mexicans: You have desired my presence. Your noble nation, by a voluntary majority, has chosen me to watch henceforth over your destinies.

I gladly respond to this call. Painful as it has been for me to bid farewell for- ever to my own, my native country, I have done so, being convinced that the Almighty has pointed out to me, through you, the mission of devoting all