The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-12
THE CLOSE OF A FINE DAY.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.


seemed to announce fcte in Heaven Josephine, the
beautiful Josephine, the empress Of France, (who
was then residing az Petit-TranOn,) was awakened
By the bright rays Of the beamIng upon her
face through the folds Of the embroidered curtains.
Half raising from her bed, she drew them aside,
and gazed long and ardcntly upon the morning sun
it was one of those looks which she bestowed only
on her son, her adcrcd Eugene, the emperor,
her husband. She summoned none of her attend
ants; but wrapping herselfn q white gown, she left
her couch, and opened one ofthe windows ofhcr bed
chamber All nature seemed languld. The tops
OF the trees gently bowing to the morning gale, ap-
pearcd to the fancy, they touched each other, to
breath kindncs and love. The unfortunate Jose
phne inyolunarilv sighed forth, ooh what go-
rious day -surcly son.e happiness has this day in
store for Inc These words had hardly escaped
her lips, when she heard music under the window
# the chateau. The empress thought that she had
been observed. she slowly retired from the case
mcnt, and again reclined upon her bed
Suddenly, without any announcement, without
even tapping at the door of the chamber some ono
cntercd and hurried towards the couch of Josephine
'th' exclaimed she folding her gown around her,
and stretching forth her arms, | was certain this
would be happy day for me- My son my Eugene !
She wcpt with delight; and the first transports of
meeting over, thoy gazcd at each other in silence
which was only interrupted by an embrace. Their
was something almost divine in the affection of
Eugene towards his mother. My good my kind
mohcrI said the yiceroy of Italy, when he recovered
the power Of ucrance, i wished to surprise you, TO
visit YOU without announcing my arrival by your
attendants. only took care to awake YOU by the
Music of the military band You have done wrong
perhaps, dear Eugene, in not previously sending to
prepare me for the mccting,' replied Josephine
with heavenly smile, not in the least tmclurcd
with reproach; for sudden JOY, Joy like mine
might occasion death. | have always loved you.-
The half of The love bear the emperor is OCCASION
cd by the kindness with which he regards you
tho other half and be not jealous of it, belongs tc
HIM alone love him because he is Napoleon.
And |, love you with all my heart, because yOt
are my mother, and because YOU adore him. CON
tnucd Eugene. 'You have doubtless hin
since you have re turned, my SOM asked Josephine
My first visit, well as my first thought, was fo
YOU, my mother You owe it to another, my
son. immodtatcl y replied the empress, gravey ye
aicctionatcly; I can only claim the second. Blu
the emperor, who loves his mother so dearly wei
knows what it is to he son, continued she; 'ant
he will forgive your neglect, my dear Eugene Blu
percclyng that her rcpronch had hurt him. she
dried up his tears with maternal embrace.
The mother and son hrcallas;ed together in pri.
vate, that their intercourse might not be trammect
by the rules of etiquette. They talked Of italy, o
the campaigns, and victories of the emperor; ill
Josephine felt inclined TO believe that it was q
god she had for a husband and an angel for t
son.
When their meal was ended they descended in
10 the garden, and the prince supporting his mother
Oh his arm, they wandered through the winding
walks, raycrscd the subicrranean grottocs or rowcC
gently on the bosom of the lake.
On the same morning ma guiiiccnt carriage dash
ed up the avenue to Versailles, and paused at the
grand entrance Another, drawn by eight horses
and still more magnificent, followed this with tn
rapdity Of lightning. This last was hailed, as
passed, with shouts of Joy; but the man TO WHOM
this welcome addressed paid little attention
it, His arms were folded, and his head incline
upon his breast in an attitude of profound reheC
ton; he did not respond, by the slightest gcs
urcs, 20 the acCamations of the crowd.
Napoleon, Tor it was he, seemed moody and mo-
oSc, as If he was on the eve of engaging in bait
which was to. decide the fate of Europe. In val
did the multitude look for one of those gracol
smiles, which he so well knew how TO bcstow. /
saw il not; he heard it not. lie could only lstC
to tho thoughts tha, weighed on his mind; and Il
restless demcanor which he found it impossible
command plainly showed that his reflections we
of the most harassing description lie has accom-
panied in the carriage by the chamberlain of Il
palace, who, observing the agitation Of his maslc
took not to increase his ill-icmpcr by any a
tcmpts at conversation.
The emperor aghted, and sand 20 Duroc,
shaiI go TO Irlanon on loot, aud attend 10y none b
Rousan. Observe, | shall soon rcturn.-I ON
wish TO surprise the empress, added he. His bro
appeared to darsen more and mere. Accompal
led by Roustan, he hastencd through one of Il
.cross-paths i'll the park. During the walk but fe
words escaped his lips. He still remained deep
buried in thought.
Although Napolean had not intended To give ii
empress any previous notice Of his visit to Versatile
vet the report of his arrival reached Trianon befo
him. M. Frere, Josephinc's valct-de-clambrc, hu
red TO acquaint his mistress with the news who W,
still wandering in The shady walks Of the garden wit
her dearly loved son. The information cast n su,
den gloom over her spirits, which was the more III
accountable, as she had usually. been trunsporit
with Joy on the arrival of her husband Eugcr
likewise. WHO endeayored 10 preserve the caync