The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-06-11
SIEGE OF VIENNA AND SIiCOND WIFE
OF NAPOLEON.

The Rev. J. S. G. Abbott, writing in the
New York Evangelist on the Austrian En-
pire, thus describes Napoleon's Siege Of
Vienna, the divorce OF osephine, and es-
pousal Of Maria Louisa:
The ramparts of Vienna had long been
the peculiar glory of the metropolis. They
were shaded by magnificent trees, which had
been accumuating their growth for centuries.
These ramparts formed delightful pro-
menade for the citizens. They we're the
favorite, and almost the only resort for the
Young and the old, on every bright evening
and every gala day. These venerable forti-
fications had ages before arrested the pro-
gress of the victorious Turks, when they
were sweeping like desolating flood over
Europe; and they had been rendered illus
uious by the heroism of Maria Theresa.
Napoleon ordered, as he left the city, their
entire demolition. Mines of terrific power
were constructed under the principal bastous
These, exploding with the energy ofvolcanlc
fires, uphove the mountainous ramparts from
their foundations, and scattered them through
,he air. mingled with volumes of flame and
smoke, darkenng the sky and strewing the
earth with the enormous ruins. II ~ said
that these successive explosions, one aiteI
another, presented one of the most sublime
and awful spectacles Of the whole revolu
tionary wars. "Showers of stones and frag
ments of masonry" says Ellison, fell on al
sides. The subterraneous fires ran along
the mines, with smothered roar whlct
froze every heart with terror. One afte
another the bastions were heaved up and ex
ploded. till the city was enveloped on al
sides by ruins; and the rattle of the failln!
masses broke the awful stiffness OF the capi
tal.n This cruel devastation produced tn
most profound impression in Vienna; it ex
asperated the people more than could hav
been done by the loss of half the monarchy
il brought the bitterness of conquest hom
10 eyery mans breast; the iron had pierce
into the soul Of the nation. And thus Mar
oleon terminated his most singular courtshl
of Maria Louisa.
Napoleon at this moment stood upon IN
very highest pinnacle of his greatness. II
was now, in fact, the Emperor of Europ
and all the kings who surrounded him wei
but the governors of the remote provence
of his empire. But he was childless, II
had no heir to prepetuate his name, and
inherit his power. He therefore resolve'
unfortunately for his influence and his fam
to divorce Josephine, the wife of his yout
and seek a bride Of royal blood, who wou
associate with his name all the pride OF a
nesral renown. For Napoleon was we
aware that mankind are generally even mo
fascinated by ancestral glory, than by indl'
dual heroism. In this case he, howeve
previously misinterpreted his own posltio
and by the reputation Of Josephine,-w
had gre atty aided in the advancement OF b
fortunes, he accelerated his own downta
The grandeur of Napoeon's fortune, and Il
solidity of his throne were now such, that
y, could choose at his pleasure from all Il
princesses Of continental Europe.
The divorce for the sake OF marriage wi
another, was however fearful subject !
Napoleon to break to Josephine. The rum
of her approaching degradation had for
long time filled the heart of the Empre
with the most terrible forebodings. St
neither party ventuled to introduce The top
which now filled the ears and occupied t
tongues of all Europe. They dned
eether one day, in the deepest embarra
ment; and not one word was spoken
either, during the repast. Napoleon exhit
ed marks of the strongest agitation; a CO
yulsiye movement, accompanied with hec
flush. often passed over his features. and
seemed afraid to raise his eyes to the +
press. except by stealth. Josephine !,
equally embarrassed and agitated, and
ali the day been weeping. The dinner
finally removed untouched, neither nav y,
tasted morsel. Josephine has descrlt