Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-03-15
From the New York Evangelist.
Thu DIVORCE OF JOSEPHINE.
BY REV. JOHN s. G, ABBOTT.

able stain upon the character Of Napoleon.
nd yet even this act SO cruel, and mpolltlc
that he admits it to have been one of the
causes Of his ruin, is invested with that Pc
culiar grandeur which surrounded every
thing connected with this extraordinary
man. The marriage with Maria Louisa,
said Nopoleon at st. Helena, 'was the
cause of my destruction. IN contracting 1t,
placed my foot on On abyss covered over
with flowers.
That Napoleon loved Josephine as in
tensiy rs So ambitious spirit was capable
of loving any person. cannot be doubted.
His connection with her had been founded
on the most romantic attachment, and was
associated with all the interesting events
cf his history. His desire fora divorce did
not originate in any waning OF affection,
but was urged by those considerations Of
state policy for which, in his bouudless am
bition, he was ever ready to sacrince every
affection. He deemed it essential to the
perpctuity of his throne, that he should
add the grandeur Of ancestral renown to the
glory of his unparalleled exploits; and his
desire was intense to be blessed with an
heir, who should inherit his throne and
perpetuate his name.
Ruuors had for some time been reach
ing Josephine, Of the doom which was im-
pending over her. Agitated with The most
terrible fears and again clingiug to treu'b-
ling hope, poor Josephine passed several
weeks in the agony Of suspense. Both
were under great restraint, and neither
hardly ventured to look at the other. The
contemplated divorce was noised abroad,
and JOSE hine read in the averted looks Of
her former friends, the indications other ap-
preaching Disgrace. elm what set-con-
etraint," said She, "did pass the period
during which, though no longer his wife,
was obliged to appear so to oil eyes,
All! what looks ore those which courtiers
sufier to fall upon repudiated wife"
| They had been accustomed to live upon
terms Of the most affectionate intimacy, and
| in their private apartments free from the
| restraints Of O court, she would loiter in his
private cabinet, and he would steal in--an
ever welcome intrudcr--upon the secrecy
Of her boudoir. Now reserve and restraint
marked every word and movement. The
private access between their apartments
was closed. Napoleon no longer entered
her boudoir, but respectfully knocking at
the door, would wait her appfoach.-
Whenever Josephine heard the sound Of
|
was coming with the terrible announcement
desperation, Immediately caused such vi
client palpitations of her heart, that it was
with the utmost difficulty she could totter
across the floor. even when supporting her
self by leaning against the walls. and catch
ing at the articles of furniture. They had
many private interviews. before Napoleon
ventured to announce directly his determi-
| n in y,b ;oh ko ta1 ho ,$u
of the measure.--Trom all these interviews
she returned with her Dyes SO swollen with
weeping as to give her attendants the erro-
neous impression that personal violence
was used to COMPEL her to assent. He
phine, with cruelty Of which no idea can
be formed" 1t was, however, she cruelty
ofthe laceration Of her heart and the crush
ing of all her hopes. In what etupor, in
what uncertainty, more cruel than death
the fatal day in which he avowed the reso-
tenance.
The fatal day for the announcement at
length arrived. Josephine appears to have
had some presentiment thet her doom was
sealed, for oil the day she had been in her
private apartment, weeping bitterly. AS
the dinner hour approached. to conceal her
weeping and swollen eyes che wore head
dress with deep front, which shaded the
whole ofthe upper part of her face. They
dined alone. Napoleon entered the room
in the deepest embarrassment. He uttered
not word, but mechanically struck the
edge Of his glass with his knife, as if to d.
vert his thoughts. Josephine could not
conceal the convulsive agitation Of her
frame. They sat during the whole meal in
silence. The various courses were brought
in, and removed untouched by either. Says
Josephine, we dined together as usual.
struggled with my tears, which, not
withdrawing every effort, overlooked from
my eyes; uttered not single word during
that solitary meal; and he broke silence
but once, to ask an attendant about the
weather. My sunshine, saw had passed
away; the storm burst quickly Immedi-
ately after this sorrowful repust, Napoleon
requested the attendants to leave the room.
The Emperor closing the door after them
with his own hand, approaching Josephine
who was trembling IN every nerve. The
struggle in the soul ofNapoleon was fear
full. His whole frame trembled. His coun-
tenance assumed the expression Of the firm
resolve which uerved him to this unpardon-
able wrong. He took the hand of the En-
press, pressed it to his heart, gazed for o
moment, speechless, upon those features
which had won his youthful love; and then,
with voice tremulous With the storm
which shook both soul and body, said--'Jo-
sephne, my good Josephine, you know
how have loved you; it is to you, to you
alone that can oWe the few moments of
happiness have known in the world. Jo-
eephine, my destiny is more powerful than
my will. My dearest affections must yield
TO the interests of France
| @''say no more," exclaimed the Empress.
| in mortal anguish; II expected this.
understand and feel for you; but the stroke
is not less mortal"--and with piercing
shrek she fell lifeless upon the floor.
Napoleon hastily opened the door, and
called for help. His physician, DR.. Cuvi-
sort was at hand, and entering with other
attendants, they raised the unconscious
Josephine from the floor; who in deliri-
UNI Of agony was exciaiming, "Oh? no, you
cannot, you cannot do it! You would not
kill me-" Napoleon supported the limbs
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