Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-04-24
story of n Diamond Necklace.

One morning in the month of June, 1906, the En-
press Josephine's jeweler issued into little
apartment of the TuIleries, in which Napoleon was
seated at breakfast
''The necklace must be the very best you can pro-
duce,' said the Emperor. 81 do not care for the
price; nevertheless will have it submitted to fair
valuation. warn you of that.
Not that doubt your integrity. : but
because in short, because am not
a lapidary myself, and therefore not a competent
Judge of such matters. As it is finished
bring it to me, and take that you show it to
one. You understand ~
''Yes, sire. But wish your Majesty could allow
me little time, that may be enabled to select
the stones in the most satisfactory manner Choice
diamonds are very scarce at present. +.
and they have risen greatly in price"
At these words, the Emperor turned sharply to the
jeweller, and said:
s'What do you mean! Since the campaign of
Germany the jewel market has been overs.o cked.
Parbleau know it for fact, that our French jew
elers have been purchasing largely from the petty
hing OF Prussia and Emperor OF Russia have ruined,
by stirring them up against me. Go to Bapts, or to
Mellerio they can let you have many diamonds
as you may want"
''Sire, have always made it rule never to avail
myself of the assistance of other tradesmen, when
have the honor of working for your Maestys august
family. have at this moment in my
possession a set of diamonds which purchased for
the King of Prussia, who has commissioned me-
THAT is your business, Foncier, and not mine.
But with regard to the necklace,
do the best you possibly can, and show the people be-
yond the Rhine, that surpass them jewellery
well as in all other things"
On a sign from Napoleon, Foncier made his last
bow and withdrew A week after this interview, the
Emperor received necklace. 1t surprisingly
beautiful. The Jewels, the pattern, the mounting,
even the case In which it was enclosed-all were
leon Ind vn1u aStiu1 tod II
be worth 100000 francs, precisely the price which
Foncier demanded for it. The Emperor was perfect
ly satisfied.
About this time, June 1867 Prince Louis Buo-
naparte, one of Napoleon'S younger brothers, was
raised to the rank of sovereignty, and proclaimed
King of Holland.
On the day when Napoleon was to receive the
of that realm from the hands of the Dutch en-
voys, and to place it his brothers head, all the
Court assembled at ST. Cloud, Louis and HOrtense
arrived in the morning from st. Leu. The ceremony,
Which was attended with great pomp, took place IN
the Sale du 7rone The ENJOYS of the defunct Ba-
tavian republic were magnlfcenty entertained, and
1t was announced that the new King and Queen
would set out for their dominIons on the following
day. In the evening, Napoleon sent to inform HOr-
that he desired to speak with her In his cab-
net. She Immediately attended the summons, and
when the page threw open the folding doors to an
nounce her, the title of s'Her Majesty the Queen of
Holland" greeted her ear for the first time.
''Hortense,' said the Emperor, ''you have become
the Queen of a brave and virtuous people. II you
and your husband act wisely, the house Of Orange can
again return to Holland with its old professions.
However, from my Knowledge Of the Dutch people, |
think discern in them remarkable fault; ii
Is that under the outward appearance Of great SIM
plicy, heh fond of luxury and especially wealth.
With them vanity is the strongest feeling next to in
terest. Now it would be bad policy to suffer your
self in the eyes of your to be ecipsed by
the overdressed wife of some rich burgomaster who
has nothing to be proud Of but his money bags You
must have good assortment of Jewels, and here is
little ornament which beg you will accept. Wear
this necklace sometimes IN remembrance of me.
hare purchased it myself, out of my own Swings.
So SAYING Napoleon casped the glitter circet the
neck of Hortense, and embracing her with paternal
affection, babe her farewell.
When seated on the throne OF Holland, Queen Hor-
tense rendered full honor her father-in-aws pre-
. sent. On every court day, at the Palace of the
Hague, at every fete given in the MaisJn de Bots,
the superb necklace adorned her swan-like neck.
But soon came those disastrous days Napoleon's
sun began to set Hortense descended from the
throne precisely she had assembled 1T In willing
obedience. On her arrival in HOLLAND, her subjects
had greeted her with cries Of ''God bless our oUeg
Queen - On her departure, those cries were chang
ed to "God bless our good Queen" To heart like
that of Hortense, this last greeting consolatofy
even at the moment when throne was lost. On re-
firing into private life, she devoted herself to the edu
CdttOH Vi htt Cl1uIei, anu 10 ISndelln9 Mai dttc
ton to her mother, who like herself, the pidou
Of throne.
The cannon of Waterloo had ceased to roar, and
Napoleon obliged to quit the Eysees, and to take
refuge in Malmaison, the last abode OF the Empress
Josephine. One evening, when he alone in the
salon. seated before table which hay scattered the
notes from which the second act of abdcaion tc
be drawn up, lady entered. 1t Hortense
''S.re, she said, In voice trembling with emo
ton, 'does your Majesty remember the present you
made me at St Cloud, about nine years ago ~
Napoleon gazed at the daughter of Josephine with
mingled expression of griefa Affection then TAX
ing her hand, he said, "Well, Hortense, what have
you to say TO me 7"
s'Sire, when was Queen, you gave this neck
lace. Ii Is of great value. But now | am no longer
Queen, and you are unfortunate. =. therefore
entreat that you viii permit me to return it %
s'That necklace HOrtense. feplied Napoleon, cold
Iy. "Why deprive yourself of it 1t is now, pro
baby, the half Of your fortune And your children
.Sire, it IS all possess in the world. But as t
my children, they will reproach their mothe
for having shared with her benefactor the bounty
which he was pleased to confer on her ?"
She burst into tears, and Napoleon struggled Il
conceal his emotion
..No, HorteDse," said he, averting his head, an,
gently repeIling the hand which stretched L
him; '.no, cannot"
take it, Sire impore you. There is no tim'
to be lost. They are coming With thes
words she thrust the jewel case into lis hand
few hours afterwards the necklace vas stitched into
sIken ceinsare, which Napoleon wore under hi
wais:coat.
Six weeks after this incident. Napoleon was on tn
deck Of the Bclerophon. preparing TO embark on boar
tho Northumberland The arms of the persons OF hi