Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-07-13

She married Napoleon, and through her,
her husband was appointed 10 the army of
Italy. Step by step they rosc. I'LL NJ last The
crown rested upon her head The second
pnri of the prophecy proved true, and she be-
gan TO look forward To that loss of power and
rank which had also been fOretoi /, and which
was to close the strange drama of her life.
|, And he that had welded the child of desti.
nv grew every day more strong and grasping.
IN vain did Josephine attempt to rule his aIn-
btion, and cIlasten his aims; he was an EN-.
prror: he wished to found an empire. and by
slow degrees he made himself familiar with
the thoughts OF putting her away.
When the campaign Of 1909 was at an
end, hardened and narrowed, the general
came back to his wife; his former kindness
was gone. his playfuness was checked; he
consulted her but seldom, md seldom stole
upon her private hours with tllnt familiar love
that had so often made her heart leap. She
saw that her hour drew nigh.
| 1t was on the evening of the Goth of No
vcmber-the court was at Paris in honor OF
the King of Ssxony-Josephinc sat ut her
window, looking down upon the river and
musing npon the dark fate before her, when
she heard Napoleon's step at the door. She
sprang to open it, using her usual exclnma-
tion, "mon ami" lie embraced her ufec-
,ionatcly, and for an instant her fears and
woes seemed vain. She led him TO chair
and placcd herself at his feet, and looking up
into his face smiled through her tenrs.
!! "You nre unhappy, Josephine" said the
Emperor.
"Not with vou, sire"
! "Bah," said he quickly. "why call me sire:
These shows of state steal all true joy from
u.s."
! 'Then why seek thcm!" answered jose
phInc.
! The Emperor made no reply.
"You are now the first of men," she con-
! timed; "wby not quit war, turn ambition out
Of your counsels, bend your thoughts on the
good of France, arSl live at home among
those who love you?"
"Josephine." said he. turning his face from
her, "it is not |. it is France that demands
the sacrifice"
! "hre yon sure Of that, my lord:' said his
wife; "havc YOU probcd your heart TO the hot
tom? is it not ambition prompts you 10 sock
reasons for repudating me? for think not. Ma.
poleon, ! misunderstood you; arc you sure II
is The love Of France?"
Every word she spoke touched him to the
quick; and rising hastily he replied, Madam,
have my reasons Good evening"
"Stay, sire" said she. taking hold of his
arm, "wc must not part in anger. submit;
since yon wish it | submit cheertully II is.
not in my nature to oppose your will, J love
you too deeply, nor shall cease to love yor.
Napoleon, because ] am to leave your throne
and your side. If you still 60 OH victorious.
! shall rejoice with you; if reverse comes,
will lay down my life to comfort you. | will
pray for you morning and night, md ~ the
hope that sometimes you will remember me.
Hardened as Napoleon was, he had loved
his wife deeply and long. Her submission
to his stern resolve; her calm but mourninl
dignity; her mistaken love moved even him,
and for moment, affection struggled with
ambition. He turned to embrace her again;
but in that moment her face and form had
changed. Her eye and her whole person
seemed inspired. lie felt himself in the
presence ola superior being. She led him to-
the window and threw it open. A thin mist
rested upon the Seine and the gardens OF the
palace. Al around was silent, and among
flie stars then before them, one was, Tar
brighter tlrnn the rest. She pointed to II.
"Sre" said shc shat star is mine. To
that and not to yours was promised empire:
through me and through my destinics you
have risen; part from me and you fall. The
spirit of her that toresnw my rise to royalty.
even now communes with my spirit, and tells
me that your fate hangs on mine. Believe
me or not, if we hcncciorth walk asundcr, you
will leave no empire behind you, and will die
yourself in shame and sorrow, and with q
broken spirit"
TIo turned away sick at heart, and over.
awcd by the words Of one whose destiny had
been SD strangely accomplished. Ten days
were passed in resolves and counter resolvcs,
and then the link which bound him to fortune
wa. broken-losephinc was divorced; and, as
he said himself at st. Helena, from that hour
his fall began.
Josephine was divorccd-bmt her love did
not cease. In her retirement she joyed all
his successes, and prayed that he might be
suvcd from the fruits Of his iou, amhition.-
When his son was born, she only regretted
that she was not permitted to be near him in
his happiness; and when he went a prisoner
to Elba, she begged that she might share his
prison and relieve his woes. Every article
that he had used at her residence remained
as he left il. She would not let n chair be
The book in which he had been
last reading was there with the page doubled
down, the pen that he had last used WAS by
i with the ink dried on its point. When
her death drew nigh, she wished to sell oil
her Jewels to send the fallen emperor moneys
and her will was submitted to this correction.
She died before his return from Elba; but her
last thoughts were Of him and France, and
her last words expressed the hope and belief
",hnt she had never caused single tear to-
flow" She was buried in the village church
at Ruel, and her body was followed to the
grave, not alone by princes and generals, but
by two thousand poor, whose hearts had been
made glad by her houniy. Her marble mon
ument hears only this Inscription:
"Eugsne and Hori'nse 10 Josephine"