The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-10-18
THE CoNQURRoR.


His more than kngly height"
THE CoNoUERoR.
When few centuries shall have thrown
their shadows upon the strange fortunes Of
Napoleon, and given to every thing about
him the tinge of romance, the story of his
/ first wife will seem to the student rather a
fable than a fact he will look upon her as
we look upon Mary Of Scotland, but with
deeper interest, for she, far more truly than
her lord, was from first to last "the child
Of destiny"
Told, while yet unmarried, that she
would be wife, widow, and queen of
France-the entire fulfilment of the first
part Of the prophecy, gave her courage to
believe in the last part also when under
sentence of death. When her bed was ia
ken from under her because she was to die
in the morning, she told her weeping friends
that it was not so; that she should sit upon
that throns on the ruins of which Robes
pierre then stood triumphant; aud when
asked In mockery, to choose her maids of
honor, since she was to be queen, she did
choose them, and they were her maids of
honor when half Of Europe looked up to
]
been her last on earth, Robespierre fell.
Had he fallen few days earlier, her first
husband would have lived; had his fall been
but one day later, Josephine would have
been among the ten thousand victims whose
names we have never heard.-But be fell
on that night, and her destiny was accom-
plished.
She married Napoleon, and through her,
her husband was appointed to the army Of
Italy. Step by step they rose, till at last the
crown rested upon her head the second
part of the prophecy was proved true, and
she began to look forward to that loss of
power and rank, which had also been fore
told, and which was to close the strange
drama of her life.
And he that had welded the child of
more grasping. In vain did Josephine at
tempt to rule his ambition, and chasten his
aims he was an emperor; 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
WINS gone, his pIayfulness was checked he
consulted her, bu, seldom stole upon her pr-
va,e hours with that familiar love that had
so often made her heart leap. She saw that
her hour drew nigh.
1t was the evening Of the 10Th Of Novem-
ber the court was at Paris in honor Of the
King of Snxopy. Josephine sat at ber
window, looking down upon the river, and
! ,ko IL, &C. kaC har lac.
she heard Napoleon's step at the door.
She sprung to open it, using her usual ox-
cIamation, :" MON AMI ~ lie embraced her
afFectionately, then for an instant her fears
& woes seemed vain. She led niu to the
chair, placed herself at his feet, and looking
up into his face smiled through her tears.
"You are unhappy, Josephine" said the
Emperor.
"Not with you SIRE
Ball." said he quickly, "why call me
sire 7" these shows of state steal all true
JOY from u.s.
Then why seek them I" answered Jo-
sephinc.
The Emperor made no reply.
"You are now tine first of men," she
continued, why not quit war, turn ambit-
ion out of your councils, bend your thoughts
on the good of France, and live al home
among those who love you"
Josephine" said he, turning his face
from her, " it is not |, it is France that de-
mands the sacrifice"
"Are you sure efthst, my lord r. said his
wife have you probed your heart TO the
bottom is it not ambition prompts you to
seek reasons for repudlsting me for think
not, Napoleon, misunderstood you; are
you sure j, is the love Of France 2"
Every word she spoke touched him to the
quick; and rising hastily he replied,
90 Madam, have my reasons good eve
ming"
"Siay, SIRE" said she, taking hold Of his
, arm, we must not part in anger. submit.
. Since you wish it, submit cheerfully. 1t
IS not IN my nature to oppose your will,
love you too deeply-Nor shall eease to
love you, Napoleon, because | am to leave
, your throne aud your side. II you still 60
on victorious, ! shall rejoice with you, il
reverse comes, will lay down my life to
comfort you. will pray for you morning &
night, and in the hope that sometimes you
will tbisk Of me-"
hardened as he was, Napoleon had low
, ed his wife deeply and long. Her submis-
sion to bis stern resolve; her calm bot
mournful dignity ;-her mistaken love
moved even him; and for a moment afiec-
tion 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
He felt himself in the presence Of superior
being. She led him to the window, and
threw it oper. A thin mist rested upou the
Seine and over the gardens Of lhs pslscs