The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-30
NAPOLEON'S DIVORCE.

M. de Bousset relates the following extraord-
nary scene that took place in his presence short
time before the divorce was pronounced between
Napoleon and the Empress Josephine:
81 was on service at the Tuileries from Nom
day, November "a. That day, and the Tuesday
and Wednesday following, | was struck with a
great change in the look Of the Empress, and the
embarrassed silence Off Napoleon. The only
words he spoke during dinner were to ask me a
few brief questions, the answers to which he APP
peared not to hear. On none of these days the
dinner lasted more than ten minutes. On Thurs
day, the 3Oth, the storm burst. Their Majesties
sat down to dinner Josephine wore large white
bonnet, tied under the chin, which partly con-
cealed her features could, however, perceive
that she had been weeping, and with difficulty,
even them restrained her tears. She appeared
to me like the image Of grief and d spalr. The
most profound silence reigned during dinner. Ma
poleon and the Empress merely tasted for forms
sake what was served to them. The only words
uttered were those addressed to me by the En-
peror !: What kind of weather is it I! and as he
pronounced them he rose from the table and went
into the drawing room, the Empress slowly follow
ing him. Coffee was brought on when Napo-
leon, contrary to his usual custom, took the cup
from the page, and made sign that he wished to
be alone. | immediately quilted the room; hut
feeling anxious and alarmed, sat down in the
salon de service (where their Majesties usually
dined) on chair near the door Of the Empress's
drawing room. was observing mechanically the
servants clearing the table, when suddenly
heard the Empress shrek in the most violent
manner The usher of the chamber, supposing
she had alleninto fit was the point of opening
the door, but | prevented him, saying that the
Emperor would call for assistance fbe thought it
necessary. was then standing near the door,
when Napoleon himself opened it, and perceiying
me. said, in hurried manner, come in, Bousset,
and shut the door, | entered, and saw the En-
press stretched upon the carpet, and uttering the
most heart-rending cries and means. No, l
shall never survive it = exclaimed the unfortunate
woman Napoleon said to me, Are you strong
enough to take up Josephine, and carry her, by
the private staircase, to her room. in order that
she may receive the care and assistance that her
situation requires' | obeyed and raised up the
Princess, who supposed had fallen into fit of
mysteries. Aided by Napoleon, ! took her in my
arms and he, taking one of the lights from the
table, led the way through dark passage toward
private staircase.
"On coming to the staircase, / observed to
Napoleon that it was too narrow to allow me to
descend it with the Empress in my arms. with
ont the danger of falling. He Immediately CALI
ed the guardian of the portfolio, who was station
ed NIGHT and day near one of the doors of his
closet, which opened upon the landing of the
private staircase. Napoleon gave him the light,
and told him to go on before him: he then took
Josephine by the legs, and in this manner aided
me to bring her down. At one moment, in con-
sequence Of my sword having got between my
legs. we were all near tumbling down together.
Fortunately, however, we descended without
accident, and deposited our precious burden upon
an ottoman in the bedchamber. The Emperor
immediately rung for the Empress's women.
When in the drawing-room above stairs took
the Empress in my arms, she ceased her cries,
and supposed that she had tainted away; but
at the moment when became embarras sed by
my sword in the middle Of the private staircase !;
was obliged, to keep myself from falling, to
nv arms, which were thrown around her waist !;
her back was against my breast, and her head
reclining on my right shoulder. When she felt