Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-03-15


seemed to me additional cruelty. Oh my
G od! How justly had ] reason to dread be-
coming an empress!'
At length the day arrived for the public |
| announcement Of the divorce. The impar-
tisl Council of State was convened in the |
! Tuileries, and all the members of the i'm |
perial family and all the prominent officers |
of the empire were present. Napoleon with |
his pale and care-worn features but ill-con-
ccaled by the dropping plnmes which were !
arranged to overshadow them, sacrificing !!
strong love TO still stronger ambition. with
voice made firm by the very struggle with
which he was agitated, in the following
terms assigned to the world the reasons for
this cruel separation:
"The political interests of my monarchy,
the wishes of my people, which have con-
stantly guided my actions, require that
should leave behind me, the heirs of my
love for my people, the throne on which
Providence has placed me. For many years
have lost all hopes of having any children
by my beloved spouse, the empress Jose.
phne. That it is which induces me to sac.
: rifice the sweetest affections Of my heart, to
consider only the good of my subjects, and
desire the dissolution of our marriage. Ar
) rived ut the age Of forty years, may in
dulge reasonable hope of living long e.
nough to rear, in the spirit Of my own
} thoughts and disposition, the children with
which it may please providence to bless nae.
God knows what such determination
hae cost my heart; but there is no sacrifice
which is above my courage, when it is pro-
: we'd to be for the interest Of France. Far
from having any cause of complaint, have
> nothing to say but in praise Of the attach
ment and tenderness Of my beloved wife,
J she has embellished fifteen years Of my life;
r the remembrance of then will be forever en-
craven or my heart. She was crowned by
, my hand, she shall retain always the rank
4 and title of Empress, but above all, let her
= never doubt my feelings. or regard INC but
: rs her best and dearest friend"
4 Josephine with faltering voice, and
, with her eyes suhused with tears, replied:
- al respond to ell the sentiments Of the
8 Emperor in conserving to the dissolution OF
y marriage which hencefor,h is an obstacle
n to the happiness of France. by deprivng it
d Of the blessing O! being governed BY the de-
e sccndants of that great man, evidently rails
8 ed up by Providence to etface the evils of q
n terrible revolution, and restore the altar: the
y throne, and social order. But his marriage
It will in no respect change the sentiments Of
e my heart; the Emperor will ever find in me
q his best friend. know wha, this act, COM
d handed by policy and exalted interest. has
It cost his heart; but we both glory in the So
= CRITICS. which we make to the good of the
If country. l feel elevated by giving TIE
G greatest proof Of attachment and devotion
It that was ever given upon earth"
l. Such were the sentiments, replete with
Is dignity and grandeur, which were uttered
r in public; but Josephine returned from this
= dreadful effort to her chamber of the dark
! est woe, and SO violent and so protracted
d wss her anguish, that for six months she
n was nearly blinded with grief.
: The next dny the public announcement
y to the imperial Council of State, of the in
8 tended separation, the whole imperial fami-
h !y were assembled in the grand saloon Of the
y fuilleries, for the legal contamination q
G the divorce. 1t was the 10th Dec. 1870
c Napoleon was there in oil his robes of state
y yet care-worn and wretched. With his
n arms folded across his breast, he leaned a.
y gainst pillar, as motionless as q statue
: uttcr!Dg not word to any one, and eppa-
n rently insensible of the tragedy epactng a.
round him, of which he was the author and
i! apparently the most pitiable victim. The
J. members Of the Donapurte family who were
l. jealous Of the almost boundless influence
which Josephine had exerted over their i'm
It peral brother, were all there, secretly re.
c joicing in her disgrace. In the centre o.
Is the apartment there was q small table, and
y upon it a writing apparatus Of gold. Ar
8 arm chair was placed before the table,
r silence as Of death parvaled the room, ant
l. all eyes were fixed upon that chair and tn
e BILE, as though they were the instruments
y ofa ereadful execution. A side door open
IL ed and Josephine entered, supported by he,
d daughter Hortense. who, not possessing the
g fortltude of her mother burst into tears af
j. she entered the apartment and continued
It sobbng as though her heart would break
r A II Immediately arose upon the appearance
n of Josephine. She wore simple dress o.
It white muslin, unadorned by single orna.
3 ment. With that peculiar grace for which
!. she was ever distinguished, She moved slow.
: ly and silently to the scat prepared for her
n Leaning her elbows upon the table, and
g supporting her pallid brow with her hand
e she strove to suppress the anguish Of her
e soul as she listened to the reading ofthe &C,
d of separation. The voice of the reader was
: interrupted only by the convulsive sobbings
n OF Hortense, who stood behind her mothers
!. chair. Eugene also stood beside his moth.
q er in that dreadful hour, pale and trembling
e like on aspen leaf Josephi sat with
e tears trucking down her cheeks in the mute
: composure of despair. At tho close Of this
: painful duty. Josephine for a moment pres
n sed her handkerchief to her weeping eyes,
: but instantly regaining her composure, a.
: rose and with her voice Of inetfable sweet
o ness, in clear and distinct tones, pronounce
s ed the oath of acceptance. Again she sat
j, down, and with trembling hand took the
n pen and placed her signature to the deed
= which forever separated her from the object
v Of her dearest affections, and from all her
u most cherished hopes. Scarcely had she
# laid down her pen, when Eugene dropped
: lifeless upon the floor; and was borne to his
u chamber in a state Of insensiblity, as his
d mother md sister retired.
But there still remained another scene of
anguish Of this day Of woe. Josephine sat
in her chamber in speecLlessness, till Napo-
e Icons usual hour for retiring TO rest had ar