Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-27
From the London Literary Gazette.

Tome III. 1929.
The present Volume contains much interest
ing matter. consisting principally ofetters writ
ten by Josephine at various periods OF her event
FIJI life;-when she was the wife OF NJ. de Beau
harnais, when she was a widow. when she was
married 10 Buonsp arle, and, ultimately, when
she was a divorced empress. In her earlier
letters, the horrors Of the French Revolution, oil
which NJ. de Beauharnais was one OF the VIC :
Tins, are painted with forcib!e pencil we
prefer, however selecting, as specimens Of MS
amable and extraordinary woman's eplstolary
powers, three Of her letters OF subsequent aa'e
The first was addressed 10 an intimate hrieha'
requesting her advice on the proposal OF mar"
riage made to Madame de Beauharnals by 'uo-
napar,e, then only General ol brigade. IL Is
exceedingly characteristic, both oil the writer
and Of the individual af;erwaId DIS so celebrated,
to whom i, chiefly relates.
"They wish me to marry again, my dear
friend All my friends advise me, my aunt al
most commands mr, and my children enirtal
me, to do so. Why are you not here 10 give
me your opinion in this important affair; ioper'
suade Inc that ought not TO refuse my consen'
to a union which will relieve me from The In
convenences Of my pIesen, situation! Your
friendship, from which have already derived
su mucn benefi', wouidrender you clear-sigh'ed
TO nv Interest srd | Should decide without
hesitation so soon as you hal spoken. You
mus, have St en- Gen. Buonapare al my house.
Well, il is he who wishes 10 b:o@n- The father
of the o. phans Of Alexandra dc Beauharnais, the
husband of his widow 30 you like him.? YOU
hasten 10 ask me. Why-no You dislike him,
then? No, outI am in lukewarm state, which
dlspiegses Inc; and which de,oltes consider
he mos, grievous Of al! in matters Of .eliFion.
Love being species Of religion, ones feel
ing with respect to it ought 10 be very dife
rent from mine; and therefore il is that
wish for your counsel, which would Fix the
perpetual irresnlu,ion OF my feeble character
10 decide upon any thing for myself has
alway, appeared fatiguIng to my Creole
pineness, watch finds it infini ely mole con-
,enicnl o obey the decision Of others. / sd
mre the generaPs courage; the extent of bis
on all sub jecs, up"n which he
speaks equally wel he promp,ness Of his mind,
which enables him TO compreh, nd The thoughts
OF Others almost before they are EXPIRE ssed: but
| comics SIS tba, am frightened 81 the authority
which he seems towIsh 10 exercise over all who
surroued hin. His s,ru,insi"g look has in il
something siugaiarly inexplrablr, which awe>
even The Directory; Judge if il must not ntim-
Z u "uIuab iu Nha' "'iNH OVShN w
pit ase me, he strength Of passion Of which he
speaks with an eneI gy which admi,s no donb;
Of bis sincerity, is precisely rha' which stops
the consen. which am frequently on the point
u giving Beng no longer 10 the prime of
youth, can | hope long 10 retain this violent
al, &C hment, which on the part Of the general
re sembles dclrious ,rsnspnr? If when W.
" ere united Ge should cease 20 love me, will he
not reprosch ne with wha, lie hiss done for me?
Will ne not regre, that he did no, contract
more brilliant marriage VIVA, should re.
ply ? What should do /? | should weep. "A
fine resource you exclaim Mon Dieu, know
that il does no good; but i; has teen at all tines
my sole refuge when my poor susceptible heart
has been wounded. Write TO ME Immediately,
and fear not 20 scold me if YOU think | am
wrong You know that coming from you eve
~ thing is well received. Barras assures me
iha, if marry The general he Will obtain for
him the command in chief Of the army in Italy
Yesterday Bonaparie, talking TO me in his favor
a, which although it has not yet been granted,
his brethren in arms are already murmuring,
said, Do they think thar | wan PROTECTION IN
order To- rise One day they will all be but too
happy il | consent TO grant them mine !! My
sword IS by my side; aud with il ! will make
my way in the world What say YOU TO This
certainty of succeeding? Is it MOI proof of
confidence arising out OF Excessive self-love -
A general OF brigade protect the chiefs of the
! do not know how il is, bu,
sometimes this absurd assurance leads me 10
believe every thing to be possible which tits
singular man attempts; and with his ima>
gination, who can predic, what he may
not ariempr? We are all longing for YOU
and console ourselves for your prolonged alb
sence only by necessarily talking of you, and
tracing your steps in the beautiful country
in which you are travelling IF we're sure
to find you in Italy, l would marry to NOR
row, condition OF accompanying The gene
RI. Bot we should perhaps cross each o'her
on the road; 50 consider it more pr uden, 10
W ait for your answer before | determine Has.
Ten it, and still more your return. Madsme
fallen charges me to tell YOU tha, she loves
you ,enderIy She is still handsome and kind;
employing her immense influence only in OBJ
tanning favors for unhappy who apply 10
her, and importing TO her benefits The air of an