Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-26


produced ht.m6st profound impression in Wien
ma; it exasperated the people more than gould
have been done by the loss of half the mon
archy; it brought the bitterness of conquest
home to every mans breast; the iron had pierre
ea into the soul of the nation. And thus Nal
poIeon terminated his most singular courship Of
Maria Louisa. p
Napoleon at this moment stood on the very
highestpinnacle of his greatness. He was now,
in fact, the Emperor Of Europe, and all the
kings who surrounded him we're but the COVER
nors of the remote provinces Of his empire
But he was childless Tie had no heir to per-
petuae his name, and to inherit his power He
therefore resolved, most insaney for his nlu-
ence and his fame, to divorce Josephine, the
wife of his YOUTH and seek bride of royal
blood who would associate with his name all
the pride of ancestral renown. For Napoleon
was well aware that mankind are generally even
more fascinated by ancestral glory, than by in
diyidua herolsn Tn this case he, however,
grievously nisinterpreted his own position, and
by the reputation of Josephine who had great
" aided in the advancement of his fortunes, he
accelerated his own downfall The grandeur Of
Napoeon's fortune, and the solidity of his throne
were now such, that he could choose at his
pleasure from all the princess Of continental Eu-
rope,
The divorce for the sake Of marriage with
another, was however fearful subject for Ma
polcon to break to Josephine The rumor Of
Iher approaching degradation had for a long time
filled the heart Of the Empress with the most
terrible forebodings Still, neither party ven
tured to introduce the topic, which now filed
the ears and occupied the tongues of all Eu-
rope They djncd together one day, in the
deepest embarrassment; and not one word was
spoken by either during the rePast Napoleon
exhibited marks of the strongest agitation; a
convulsive movement accompanied with hec-
tic flush, often passed over his features; and he
seemed afraid 20 raise his eyes to the Empress,
except by stealth. Josephine was equally en-
barrassed and agitated, and had all the day been
weeping. The dinner was finally removed I'M
touched, neither having tasted morseI. Jose
phine has described the scene which ensued.-
" We dned together as usual struggled with
my tears, which, notwithstanding every effort,
overAowed my eyes, uttered not single word
during that sorrowful meal and he broke ST.
Ience but once, to ask an attendant about the
weather My sunshine saw had passed away
the storm burst quickly. Directly after coffee,
Bonaparte dismissed every one, and | remained
alone with him | watched in the changing ex-
preston Of his countenance, that struggle which
was in his soul. AT length his features settled
into stern resolve. | saw that my hour was
come His whole flame trembled; he approach
ed and | felt shudderlng horror come over me.
He took my hand, placed it upon his heart, gaz-
ed on me for moment; then pronounced these
fearful words Josephine my excellent Jose
phine thou knowest if have loved thee To
thee, to thee alone do owe the only moments
of happiness l have enjoyed in this world Jose
Iphine my destiny overmaslcrs my will. My
dearest affections must be silent before the inter
ests of France Say no more had still
strength sufficient to reply; 4 was prepared for
this, but the blow is not less mortal More
could not utter | connot tell what passed with
in me- believe my screams were loud.
thought reason had fled | became unconscious
found had been carried to my chamber. On
recovering, perceived that Coryisart was in at
tendance and my poor daughter weeping over
me. mol no! | cannot describe the horror of
my situation during that night Even the in
tercst which he affected to take in my sunerings
seemed to me additional cruelty. Oh, my God
how Justly had reason to dread becoming an
Empress =,
The fatal day OF separation at length arrived
After the painful scene was over, Josephine, in
silence and sorrow, retired to her chamber
The usual hour of Napoleon's retiring came
g He had just placed himself in bed, silent and
melancholy, while his fayorite attendant waited
only to receive orders when suddenly the pri-
vate door opened, and the Empress appeared,
her hair in disorder, and her face swollen with
weeping Advancing with tottering step, she
stood, as if lrrcsolute, about pace from the
bed, clasped her hands and burst into an agony
of tears. Delicacy--a feeling as if she had now
no right to be there-seemed at first TO have al
rested her progress; but forgetting everything in
the inllness of her grief, she threw herself on
the bed, cIasped her husbands neck, and sobbed
as if her heart had been breaking. Napoleon
also wept while he endeayorel to console her,
and they remained for some time locked in each
others arms, silently minglmg their tears to-
gether After an interview Of about an hour,
Josephine parted forever with the man whom she
had 50 long and so tenderly loved. On seeing
the Empress retire, the attendant entered to re-
move the lights, and found the chamber silent as
death, and Napoleon so sunk among the bed
clothes as to be invisible. The next morning,
at / /, Josephine left the Tuieries forever
Almost Immediately after the divorce, propo-
sails were made to the Austrian Court for Maria
Louisa. The proposals were eagerly accepted.
Soon the marriage festival was celebrated in Vi
emma with great pomp, the Archdukc Charles
standing proxy for the imperial bridegroom. Ma
pocon was still in Paris, having as yet never
avon sepn his hri1o She ie NOT hOautifuI ~