The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-11-13

NalSCHIAAEAN2GOgJ as.
THE EMPRESS OFFRAN nee
She, in the working of whose destiny,
The man of blood and victory attained
His more than kngly height"

shadows upon the strange fortunes of Napoleon,
and given, everything> about nm the tIhge OF
romance, the story Of his wife will seem to the
student rather fable; than fact; he will look
upon her as we look upon Mary of Scotland,
hut with deeper interest for she far more tru-
Iy than her lord, from first to last the child
of destiny
Told, while vet unmarried, that she would be
q wife, a widow, Qusen of France--the en-
tire fulfilment ofthe first part of the prophecy,
gave her courage to believe III the last part also
when under sentence of death. When her bed
was taken from her, because she was 10 die in
the morning, she told her weeping friends that
il was not so, that she SHOULD yet sit upon the
throne on the ruins of which Robespierre then
stood triumphant and when asked in mockery
TO choose her maids of honor since she was to
he Queen, she did choose them, and they were
her maids of honor when half of Europe look
ed up to her. On that night which was to have
been her last on earth, Robesperre fell. Had he
fallen few days earl er, her first husband would
have lived had his fall been but one day later,
Josephine herself would nave been among the
ten thousand victims, whose names we have new
Ell heard But he fell on that night, and her
destiny was accomplished
She married Napoleon and through her ard
as her husband he 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,
to close the strange drama of her life.
And he that had welded the child of destiny,
grew every day more strong, and more grasplng,
In vain did Josephine attempt to rule his ambi-
ton, and cbasen his aims he was an Emper-
or lie wished to fonnd an empire, and by slow
degreeshe made himself familiar with the thought
of putting her away.
When tho campaign of 1909 was at an end,
hardened and narrowed, the General came back
to his wife his former Kindness was gone, his
playfulness was checked, he consulted her but
seldom and seldom stole upon her private hours
with that familiar love that had often made her
heart leap.--She saw that her hour drew nigh.
1t was the evening Of the twentieth of No
vemher the court were at Paris III honor of
the king of Saxony. Josephine sat at her win
dow looking down upon the river and musing
on the dark fate before her, when she heard
Napoleon's stepat the door. She sprang to OPP
en- il, using her usual acclamation. " mon ANA ~
He embraced her so affeclionately, that for an
instant her fears and woes seemed vain. She
led him 10 a chair, placed herself at his feet, and
looking up into his face, smiled through her
tears.
You are unhappy Josephine said the En-
petOr.'
Not with you sire
Bah = said he, quickly, why call me sire g
these shows of state steal all true Joy from U.S.
Then why seek them :? answered Joseph
inc.
The Emperor made no reply.
sYou are now the first of men, said she,
why not quit war, turn ambition out of your
councils, bend your thoughts on the good of
France, and live at home among those that love
you?'
Josephine, said he, turning his face from
her. it is not ], it is France demands the sacri-
fice.'
Are you sure of that my lord p said his
wife have you probed your heart to the bot
tom? Els it not ambition that prompts you
hi me-
not, Napoleon misunderstood you: are you
sure it is the love of France?
Every word she spoke touched him to the
quick and rising hastily, he replied, Madam,
l have my reasons good evening.
Stay, sire, we must not part in anger
submit. Since you wish it | submit cheerfuy.
1t is not in my nature to oppose your will love
YOU too deeply. Nor shall | cease to love you,
Napoleon, because am to leave your throne
and your side II you still 60 on victorious,
shall rejoice with you I; if reverse comes, L will
lay down my life to comfort you. l will pray
for you morning anu night, and, in The hope
that sometimes you will think of me-
Hardened as he was Napoleon had loved his
wife deeply and long; nor submission to his
stern resolve, her calm but mournful dignity
her mistaken love, moved him and for mo-
ment affection struggled with ambition. He
turned to embrace her again But in that mo-
ment, 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 open |
A thin mist rested upon the Seine, and the gar
dens of the palace all around was siIent-a
mong the stars, then before them, one far
brighter than the rest :-she pointed to it.
Sire = she said, that star is mine to that
and not yours, was promised empire through
me and through my destines, you have risen 81
part from me and you fall The spirit that fore
saw 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 henceforth
walk as,lnder, you will leave no empire behind
you, and will die yourself in shame, and with
broken spirit
He turned away sick at heart and over-awed
by the words of one whose destiny had been 80