The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-15

ranged 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 his reasons for
this cruel separation:
"The political interests Of my monarchy,
the wishes Of my people, which have con-
stantly guided my actions, require THAI !
should leave behind me, TO heirs Of my love
for my people, the throne on which Progi-
dence has placed me. For many years |
have lost all hopes of having children by
my beloved spouse, the empress Josephine.
That it is. that induces me TO sacrifice the
sweetest affections OF my heart to consider
only the good Of my subjects, and desire the
dissolution Of our marriage. Arrived at the
age Of forty years, may indulge a reason
able hope Of living long enough to rear, in
the spirit Of my own thoughts and disposi-
ton, the children with which il may please
Providence to bless me. God knows what
such determination has cost my heart; but
there is no sacrifice which is above my cour-
age, when it is proved TO be for the interest
Of France. Far from having any cause Of
complaint, have nothing to say but in
praise Of the attachment and tenderness OF
Iny beloved wife. She has embellished fl
teen years of my life; the remembrance Of
them shall be forever engraven on my heart.
She was crowned by my hand; she shall
retain always the rank and title Of an en-
press. But, above all, let her never doubt
my feelings, or regard me but as her best
and dearest friend"
Josephine, with faltering voice, and
with her eyes sufiused with tears, replied, 81
respond to all the sentiments Of the emperor
in conserving to the dissolution Of mar
rage which henceforth is an obstacle TO the
happiness Of France. by depriving it of the
blessing of being one day governed by the
descendants Of that great man, evidently
raised up by Providence to efface the evils
Of terrible revolution, and restore the al
tar, the throne, and social order. But his
marriage will in no respect change the sen
timents of my heart the emperor will ever
find in me his best friend. know what
this act, commanded BY policy and exalted
interest has cost his heart; but we both glo-
ry in the sacrifices which we make to the
good OF our country. feel elevated by
giving the greatest proof of attachment that
was ever given upon earth"
Such were the sentiments, replete with
dignity and grandeur, which were uttered in
public; but Josephine returned from this
dreadful effort TO her chamber of the dark
est woe, and so violent and so protracted
was her anguish, that for six months she
wepts so necessarily as to be nearly blinded
with grief. The next day after the public
announcement to the imperial council Of
state of the intended separation, the whole
imperial family were assembled in the grand
saloon Of the Tuileries for the legal con-
summation Of the divorce. Itwas the 10Th
of December, 1910. Napoleon was there
IN all his robes OF state, yet care-wOrn and
wretched. With his arms folded across his
breast, he leaned against pillar as notion
less as a statue, uttering not a word to any
one, and apparently insensible of the TRACE.
dy enacting around him, Of which he was
the sole author, and eventually the most pit.
liable victim, The members of the Bona
parte family, who were Jealous of the al
most boundlesS influence which Josephine
had exerted over their imperial brother, were
all there, secretly rejoicing in her disgrace.
In the centre Of the apartment there was a
small table, and upon it Il writing apparatus
Of gold. An arm chair was placed before
the table. A silence, as of death, perva.
ded the room. All eyes were fixed upon
that chair and table, as though they were
the instruments OF dreadful execution. A
side door opened, and Josephine entered,
supported by her daughter, Hortense, who,
not possessing the fortitude Of her mother,
burst into tears as she entered the apartment
and continued sobbing as though her heart
would break. All Immediately arose upon
the appearance Of Josephine. She wore a
simple dress Of white muslin, unadorned by
sing lie ornament. With that peculiar
grace for which she was ever distinguished,
she moved slowly and silently to the seat
prepared for her. Leaning her elbow up
on the table, and supporting her pallid brow
with her hand, she struggled to repress the
anguish OF her soul as she listened to the
reading of the act Of separation. The
voice Of the reader was interrupted only by
the conyulsive sobbings Of Hortense, who
stood behind her mothers chair. Eugene
also stood behind his mother in that dread
ful hour, pale, and trembling like an aspen
leaf. Josephine sat with tears silently trick.
ling down her cheeks, in the mute compo-
sure Of despair.
At the close Of this painful duty, Joseph
inc for moment pressed her handkerchief
to her weeping eyes; but, Instantly regain
ing her composure, arose, and with her voice
OF ineffable sweetness, in clear and distinct
tones, pronounced the oath of acceptance.
Again she sat down, and with a trembling
hand, took the pen and placed her signature
to the deed, which forever separated her
from the object Of her dearest affections and
from her most cherished hopes. Scarcely
had she laid down her pen, when Eugene
dropped lifeless upon the floor, and was
borne to his chamber in a state Of insensi.
bility, as his mother and sister retired.
But there still remained another scene of
anguish in this day Of woe. Josephine sat
in her chamber in solitude and speeches..
ness. till Napoleon's usual hour for retiring
to rest had arrived. In silence and in
wretchedness, Napoleon had Just placed
himself in the bed from which he had eject.
ed the wife of his youth, and his servant was
waiting only TO receive orders to retire,
L I i l. Il