Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-12-30
NAPOLEON'S DIVORCE.

M de Boussc ct relates the following extra
ordinary scene that took place in his
presence n short time before the divorce
was pronounced between Napoleon and
the Empress Josephine:
81 was on service at the Tuil!eries from
Monday. November a. That day, and
the Tuesday and Wednesday following, l
was struck with great change III the look
of the Empress, and the embarrassed ST.
lence of Napoleon. The only words he
spoke during dinner were to ask me few
brief questions, the answers to which he
appeared not to boar. On none of these
DAYS the dinner lasted more than ten MIN
utes. On Thursday, the Both, The storm
burst. Their Majesties sat down to DIM
ncr; josephine wore a large white bon
net tied under the chin, viii h partly con-
Il cealed her features; | could, howcverper-
ceiye that she had been weeping, and
with difficulty even then restrained her
tears. She appeared 10 me like the image
of grief and despair. The most profound
silence reignod during dinner. Napoleon
and the Empress merely tasted for forms
sake what was served TO them. The only
words uttered were those addressed to me
by the Emperor. "What kind Of wealth
or is il1'' and as no pronounced them nc
rose from the table and went into the
deawing.room' the Empress slowly follow
ing him. Cotfee was brought in; when
Napoleon, contrary TO his usual custom,
took the cup from the page, and made
sign that he wished to be alone, mme-
dately quilted the room; but feeling anx
ious and alarmed, sat down in the salon
de serpice (where their Majestes usually
dined) On chair near the door of the Lm-
peror'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, surprising she had
fallen into fit, was on the point of open
ing the door, but prevented him, saying
the Emperor would call for assistance, II
he thought it necessary. | was then stand
ing near The door, when Napoleon himself
opened il, and perceving me, said in a
hurried manner, 'Come in, Bousset, and
shut The door, entered, and saw the
Empress stretched upon the carpet, utter
ing the most heart-rending cries g. means.
mo, | 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 thai
her situation requires2' | obeyed, and
raised up the Princess, who supposed
had fallen into a fit of Mysteries. Aided
by Napoleon, | took her into my arms;
and he, taking one of the lights from the
table, led the way through dark passage
1 toward private staircase.
On coming to the staircase, observed
to Napoleon that it was too narrow to al
low me to descend il with the Empress in
my arms, without the danger of falling
lie Immediately called the guardian OF the
. Iport folio, who was stationed night and
. fday near one of the doors of his closet,
which opened upon the landing of the
yrivate staircase Napoleon gave him the
y fght and told him to 90 on before him: he
then took Josephine by the legs, and in this
manner aided me to bring her Down. AT
one moment, in consequence Of my sword
having go, between my legs, we were all
near tumbiing down together. Fortunate
~, however, We descended without acct
dent, and deposited our precious burthen
upon an ottoman in the bedchamber. The
Emperor Immediately rung for the En-
press's women. When in the drawing
room above stairs, took the Empress in
my arms, she ceased her cries, and | sup
posed that she had tainted away; but at
the moment when became embarrassed
oy my sword in the middle of the private
staircase, ! was obliged, to keep myself
from falling, to clasp her more closely
held the Enpress in my arms which were