Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-03-05
nlisfellaneols.
From the " Consulate and Empire"
NAPOLEON,
His Marriage with Joscphine,--His &C.
EOuafiOn.

Inc eve OF that grand solemnlty now approached
that is to say, the LIST of December Josephine who
had found favor with the Holy Father by kind of
deyotedness much akin to that of the of Italy,
Josephine sought interview with him, to make an
avowa which she hoped to turn TO good She
declared to Napoleon at the time of her marriage
religious ceremonies were abolished.
The very throne presented strange specimen of
the manners Of the time. Napoleon had put an end
to this stte Of things for his sister, the princess
Murat, by asking the Cardinal Caprara to give her
the nuptlal benedicton but be had chosen to do
the same for himself The Pope, scandilized by
situation which, in the eyes of the Church, was mere
concubinage, instantly demanded an interview of Ma
Poeon, and in that interview declared that he could
very well consecrate him, for the state of the con-
sciences of emperors had been inquired into by
the Church, when they TO be crowned, but that
he could not by browning Josephine, give the divine
conservation to a state of concubinage Napoleon
rrItaed against Josphenne for this interested revea
ton, fearing to offend the Pope whom he knew to be
inaexible in matters Of faith, and moreover unwil
ling to alter a programme which had already been
published consented TO receive the nuptia benedic
ton Josephine sharply reprimandad bv her hus-
band but delighted by her success, received in the
very night preceding her coronation, the sacrament
of the arrage in the chapel of the Tulerles 1t was
Cardinal Flesh, having NJ. de Talleyrand and Mar
shall Berther as witnesses who, with the most pro-
found secrecy married the Emperor and Empress. The
secret faithfully kept until the epoch of the
vorce On the following morning, the redeemed eyes
of Josephine still bore testimony of the tears which
these inward agltations had cost lier.
On Sunday, the ID Of December. cold, but clear
winters day, that porulation of Paris which forty
years later, we have seel crowdng In similar weather.
towards the mortal remains of Napoleon hurried to
see the passing of the imperial corie re. The Pope
first out out at ten O'Clock in the morning. and much
earlier than the Emperor IN order that the two cor
e res should not hinder each other. He was accom-
panied by numerous body of clergy, attired with
the most costly ornaments, and escorted by detach-
ments of the imperial guard. richly decorated
portico had been erected all around the Place Notre
Dame to receive at their descent from their carriages
the sOveregns and princes who proceed to the
ancient basick. The Archbishoprc, adorned with
luxury worthy of the guests that 1t was to SHELTER was
arranged that the Pope and the Emperor could rest
there for instant
After brief stay, the Pope entered the church
where for several previous hours there had already
been assembled the deputies of the towns the repre-
sentativcs of the magistracy and of the army, the
sixty bishops with their clergy, the Senate, the Legis-
lative Body, the Council of State, the Princes of
Nassau, Hesse and Baden the arch Chancellor of the
German Empire and lastly the ministers of the diff
ferent powers. The great doors Of Notre Dame had
bee closed because the back the imperial throne was
placed against 1t. The church, therefore, entered
by the the side DOORS situated at the extremtes of
the traversa nave. When the Pope, proceeded bv the
cross, and by the ensigns of the successor of st.
Peter, appeared within that ancient basilick of ST.
Louis all present from their seats, and five hum
dred musicians dealed forth in solemn strains the con-
secrated chant, TU Es PETRUs. The effect of this
was instant and sublime. The Pope proceeded at a
slow pace, direct to the altar, before which he kne
and then took his place on throne that had been pre-
pared for him to the right Of the altar The sixty
prelaes of the French church, presented themselves
in succession to salute him. To each of them const
tutional not, his countenance equally benevo
lent The arrival of the imperial family was now
awaited.
Tie church of Notre Dame was decorated with I'M
equalled magnifcence. Hangings of velvet sprinked
with golden bees, descended from the roof to the pave
ment. At the foot of the altar stood two plain arm
chairs which the Emperor and Empress were to occu
DIV before their browning. At the West end of the
church and opposite to the altar raised upon twenty
four steps, and placed between columns which sup
ported a pediment, stood immense throne, sort
of monument within monument, intended for the
Emperor, when crowned, and his wife, 1t was the
custom in both the Roman and French ritual The
monarch did not seat himself upon the throne until
he had been crowned by the PontIff.
They waited for the Emperor, and waited for
a considerable time. This was the only disagreeable
circumstance in this grand solemnity. This position
of the Pope during this long delay painful. The
fear of the director Of the ceremonies lest the two
coreges should happen meet, was the cause of the
delay. The Emperor set out from the TuillerieS in
carriage completely surrounded with glass; surround
ed by guilt genii, bearing CROWN popular carriage
in France, and always recognized by the Parisians
when it has since appeared in subsequent ceremonies
He attired in costume designed by the greatest
painter of the day. and very similar to the costumes
of the sixteenth century He wore plumed hat
and short mantle. He was not to assume the i'm
peral costume until he reached the archbishopric and
at the moment of entering the church. Escorted by
his marshals horseback he proceeded slowly along
the Rue ST. Honore, the Quay of the Seine, and the
Place Notre Dame amidst the acclamations of i'm
crowds, delighted TO their favorite General
become Emperor as though he had not himself
achieved this with his excltabe passions, and his
warke heroism, and if some touch of magic
wand had done IT for him.
Napoleon arrived at the portco which we have al
ready described, aghted from his carriage proceed
ed to the archbishopric took the CROWN the sceptre
and the imperial robe, and directed his to the
cathedral. Beside him was borne the grand crown
in the form of tiara and modelled after that of
he wore only the crown of the CeSars, namely. a
simple golden laurel All admired that noble head
noble beneath that golden laurel as some antique me-
dalton. Having entered the church to the sound of
pealing music, he knelt, and then passed on to the
armchair which he to occupy previous to taking
possession of the throne.
The ceremony then commenced The sceptre, the
sword and the imperial robe had been placed on the
altar. The Pope anointed the Emperor on the fore
head the arms, and the hands, then blessed the sword
with which he girded him, and the sceptre which he
placed in his hand, and approached to take up the
crown. Napoleon, who had watched his movements,
now as he had promised, settled the difficulty on the
spot, by firmly, though not violently, seizing the
crown, and placing 1t on his own head. This action
which was perfectly appreciated by all present, pro-
duced Undesirable effect Napoleon, then, taking
the crown the Empress and approaching Josephine
as she knelt before him. placed with visible tender
ness upon the head of the partner of his fortunes