The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-09-20
MtstrIIane0uS.
NAPOLEON,S DIVORCE.

NJ. de Bousset relates the following ex-
traordlnary scene that took place IN his
presence a short time before the divorce
was pronounced between Napoleon and the
| Empress Josephine e.
81 was on service at the Tuellicres from
Monday, Nov ~ That day and the
| Tuesday and Wednesday following. ] was
struck with great change in the looks Of
the Empress, and the embarrassed silence
Of Napoleon. The only words he spoke
! during dinner were 20 ask me few brief
questions. the answers to which he appear
ed not to hear. On none Of these days the
dinner lasted more than ten minutes
On Thursday, the thIIticth the storm
burst Their Majesties sat down to
dinner; Josephine wore a large white boa
net tied under the chin which partly con
cealed her features | could, however.
perceive that she had been weeping, and
with difficulty oven then restrained her
lears. She appeared To me like the image
Of grief and despair. The most profound
silence rolgned during dinner. Napoleon
and the Empress merely tasted for FORMS
sake what was served 10 them The only
words uttered were those addressed 10 me
by the Emperor, "What Kind Of weather is
li?'und as he pronounced them he rose from
the table and went into the drawing room.
The Empress slowly following him. Cot.
fee was then brought in when Napoleon
contrary to his usual custom, took the cup
from the page, and made n sign that he
wished to be alone. | immediately quilted
the room but feeling anxious and alarm
cd, | sat down in the sdl0a de Serrice
where thcir Majestes dined) on chair
near tho door Of the Emporer's drawing
room. | was observing mechanically The
servants clearing the table, when sudden
Iy heard the Empress shrek mos,
yIolcnt. The usher Of the chamber. sup.
posing that sho had fallen into III, was
on the point opening the door, but pre-.
vented him saying that the Emperor would
call for assistance if he thought it neces.
Sary. was then standing near the door.
when Napoleon himself opened it, and
Pcrcelving me, SAID in hurried manner.
Come III Bousset, and shut the door" |
entered, and saw the Empress stretched
upon the carpet, and uttcring the most
hCart-ropdIng cries and means. No, |
shall never survive it," exclaimed the un
fortunate woman. Napoleon said to mn,
" Are you strong enough To take up Jo-
scphine, and carry her by the private stair
case, 10 her room, in ordCr that she may
receive the care and assistance that her
situation requires 2" | obcyed, md raised
up the Princess, who supposed, had fallen
INTO tit of hysterics. Aided by Napoleon,
took her in my arms and he, king one
of the lights from the table, led tho way
through passage towards a private etair-
case. On coming to the staircase, oh.
served To Napoleon, that it was too narrow
to allow me to descend it with the Empress
in my arms without the danger of falling.
lie Immediately called the guardian of the
portfolio, who was stationed night and
day near one of the doors Of the closet
which opened upon the private staircase
Napoleon gave him the light and told him
to 90 on before him he then took Joseph
inc by the legs, and in this manner aided
inc 10 bring her down. At one moment.
IN consequence Of my sword having got
between my legs, we were all near tumb.
ling down together. Fortunately, how.
ever, VIC descended without accident, and
deposited our precious burden upun an OF.
toman in the bcdchamber. The Emperor
Immediately wrung for the Empress's wo.
man. When in the drawing room above
stairs took the Empress in my arms, she
ceased her cres'l supposed that she had
tainted away; but at the moment when
became embarrassed by my sword in the
middle OF the private staircase. I was
obliged, to keep us both from falling. to
clasp her more closely. held the En-
press in my arms, which were thrown
round her waist her back was against my
breast, and her head reclining on my right
shoulder. When she felt the eff6rts tha,
made to keep myself from falling. she
said in very low voice to me. "You
squeeze me too nuch.' | then Judged
there was nothing to fear for her health,
and that she had not los, her senses for a
single instant. During the whole of this
scene ] had been exclusively occupied with
Josephine. whose situation affected me,
and could not observe Napoleon but when
the woman Of the Empress came, he pas.
sed into q small saloon contiguous to the
he'd chamber. whittier ! followed him.
His agitation and anxiety were extreme
In this moment of trouble, he explained To
nc in the following words. the cause Of
what passcd.-"Tbe interest Of france