Marie Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

an Irish adventuress; born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1818. Her father was an Ensign Gilbert, her mother of Spanish her father, and, her mother having remardescent. Taken out to India, she lost ried, "Lola" was sent home in 1826 to Europe, and brought up at Montrose, in Paris, and at Bath. To escape the match, arranged by her mother, with an old judge, she eloped with a Captain James, whom in July, 1837, she married, but the marriage ended in a separation. She appeared as a dancer in London and other European capitals. In 1846, at Munich, she captivated the eccentric King Louis I., who created her Countess of Landsfeld, and allowed her $25,000 a year. For more than a year she was all-powerful, her power directed in favor of Liberalism and against the Jesuits; but the revolution of 1848 sent her once more adrift. Again she married (this time a Lieutenant Heald), a marriage as unlucky as the first. She died, a penitent, in Astoria, L. I., on Jan. 17, 1861. MONTEZUMA (mon-te-zö'mä) II., surnamed XOCOJOTZIN, or "THE YOUNG- ER," 9th King of Mexico; born about 1476. He was elected on the death of his grandfather, in 1502. He had distinguished himself as a general, and at the time of his election held the office of high priest. He dropped the mask of moderation and humility, was crowned with more than usual pomp. He dismissed from his court and palace all plebeians, and gave their employments to persons of noble birth, alienating the affections of his subjects. He carried on almost continual wars with the neighboring provinces. In 1519, Cortez and the Spaniards invaded the empire and approached the capital. Montezuma sent presents and complimentary messages to them, but was in the utmost terror. He at length went with a magnificent cortege to meet Cortez, and conducted him into the city, where, after eight days of ceremonious civilities, Cortez made Montezuma his prisoner, and had irons put on his legs. They were, however, soon removed, and he professed himself the vassal of Charles V. He remained inflexible in the matter of religion. Left by Cortez, in 1520, in charge of Alvarado, and a small body of Spaniards, severe conflicts took place in the city, which were renewed on the return of Cortez. The Mexicans assaulted the city and Montezuma, while standing on the walls, exhorting his subjects to submit, was wounded by Mexican arrows, and by the blow of a stone, before the Spaniards could save him. He refused all food and attendance to his wounds, and died June 30, 1520.