Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-24
THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE,

The history of the Empress Josephine,
had been very remarkable. She was born
in the West Indies, and it had been early
prophecied by an old negress, that she should
lose her first husband, be extremely unfortu-
nate, but she should afterwards be greater
than queen. lThc author heard the
prophecy long lefore Napoleon's elevation
to the throne, from the late Countess of
Ancram, who was educated in the same con-
vent with Josephine, and had repeatedly
heard her mention the circumstances in ear
ly youth.) This prophecy, the au,henticy
Of which is placed beyond a doubt, was
fulfilled in most singular manner. Her
first husband, Alexander Beauharnois, gen.
eral of the army on the Rine, had been
eulotincd during the reign of terror; aud
she herself, who was also imprisoned at the
time, was only saved from impending death
by the fall of Robespierrc.* SO strongly
was prophecy impressed on her mind that
while lying in the dungeon of Conciergerie,
expecting every hour 10 be summoned to the
revolutionary tribunal, she mentioned it to
her fellow prisoners; and to amusc them,
named some of them as ladies of the bed
chamber Jest which she afterwards lived
to realize on one of their number.
Josephine herself narrated this extraordi-
nary passage in her life, in the following
terms, in her memoirs:
"One morning the jailor entered the
chamber where slept, with the Duches
d'Aguillon and two other ladies', and told
me he was going to take my mattress to give
it to another prisoner. Why, said d'A gull
lon eagerly, will not Madame d'Beauharnos
obtain better one! No, no, he replied,
with 6endish smile, she will have no need
Of one, for she is about TO be led to the Con.
ciergcrie, and thence to the guillo,ine. A,
these words, my companions in misfortune
uttered piercing shrieks. consoled them
as well as could; and at length, worn out
with their eternal lamentations, told them
that their grief was utterly unreasonable
that not only should not die, but live to be
Queen Of France. Why then do you MAJ me
your maids of honor, said Madame d'Aguil.
lon, irritated at such expressions at such a
moment. Very true, SAID /, | did not think
Of that: well my dear, make you one Of
them. Upon this the tears of one of these
ladies fell apace, for they never doubted
was mad. But the ,rutl, was, was not giE
ted with any extraordinary courage, bu
internally persuaded of the truth of the
oracle.
Madame d'Aguillon soon after became
unwell, and drew her towards the window
which opened to admit through the bars
little fresh air. | there perceived a poo
woman who knew US, and who was maxim!
number Of signs which could not at frs
understand. She constantly held up he
gown, (robe,) and seeing she had some oh
ject in view, | called out "rOJes" to whcI
she answered yes. She then lifted up
stone and put it in her lap, which she LIFTED
up a second time. called out ''piere."-
Upon which she evinced the greatest joy
percciving that her signs were understood
Joining then the stone in her robe, she ca
gerly inflated the motion of cutting off til
neck, and Immediately began to dance an
evince the most extravagant joy.t Thi
singular pantamime awakened in the min
vague hope that possibly Robespierr
might be no more.
between hope and fear, we heard grea
noise in the corridor, and the terrible volc
Of our jaor, who said to his dog, giving hin
at the same time kick, Get out, yo
cursed Robespierre." The course phras
al once taught US that we had nothing ,
fear,and that France was saved" Allison
History Of Europe.
Her family name is not stated it was Marie J
seph- Rose Tascher.
Some of readers may better understai
these acts of the poor woman outside of the pris,
if we say the name of Robespierre," is pronounc
as only t,ro syables not three, it usually is in III
country and the the name, when correctly spoke
sounds Drecisely rs If nhe. snnorp