Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-07-27
rnn DIVORCE OF sosErE-wE.
Br REy. JOHN S. {. amor.

upon the character OF Napoleon. And yet even Ibis
act 50 cruel, and SO imp0ac that even he admits i:
to have been Of the causes of his rum is invested
with that peculiar grandeur which surrounded ever,
thing connected with this extraordinary man. The
marriage with Maria Louisa SAID Napoleon a, St.
Helena. twas the OF my destruction. In con
tracing il. placed my ieot on an abyss covered
with flowers"
That Napoleon loved Josephine as intensely as so
ambitious spirit was capable Of loving any person,
cannot be doubted His connection with her had been
louhGed on The most romantic attachment, and was
associated with all the most interesting events Of his
history. Hs desire Tor divorce did aot originate in
any waning 81 affection, bal urged by hose
sdefaons Of state policy for which, in his bound!css
ambition, he ready 10 sacrifice every ailec ton-
lie deemed essential 10 the perpetnlty oil his throne,
that he should add the grandeur Of ancestral renown
to the glory Of ms unparalleled exploits and his de-
sire. intense 10 be blessed with an heir, who
should inherit his throne and peFpetuale his name
Rpmors bad for some time been reaching Josephine.
Of lie doom which was impending over ter. Agat-
ed with Tie mosl terrible fears and again clinging 10
trembling hope, poor Josephine passed several weeks
in the agony of suspense. Both We're under great
restraint. aud neither hardly ventured 10 look the
other The contemplated divorce was noised abroad,
and Josephine read IN The apered looks Of her form
friends, the indications Of her approaching disgrace
"ln whist self consrant," said she, .'did pass the
period during which, though no longer bis wife, was
Obliged 10 appear so TO all eyes. An what looks are
those which courers suffer TO fall upon rcpudsted
WIFE," They had been accustomed to live upon terms
OF me most aliecionae in1nacy, ana 10 heir private
spa heA,s, Hee nom ''ie Restraints u 'o1f, shs
"oula ole' ~ ms private caoiae' ant ne "ouu sssa
h-ah eyer welcome ih'iuuer7-upon me secIesy o.
her boudoir. Now, reserve aud restraint marked eve
ny word and every movement. The private access
between their apartments was closed Napoleon no
ohSer eh'etea her oouooif, out "heh ne Wshea 70
speak 10 hef' respectfully hhocHh9 al 'he ooor would
wan ne' appioacn. nene'el Josephine heafa me
hat he
"'' eo'.'is WIN ,e e''1ie ahtiouiGeiheut Y, sePa
ration Immediately caused such violent paipla.ohs
% hei hear' tna' was VIVA Tue UTMOST ulMcaiy she
cooia touer across me hoof, even "hen supporting
nefsea "y eahin5 against .he Waiis' anu cachinS al
me articles OF iurni'ufe Ihey had many private IN
efsieWs oeioe sapoeoh seh,ufeu 70 announce direct
MS ae'ernhaloh' m "hch ne h'h;eu al me neces-
sny u 'he measure. fIoui an thsse interviews Jose
pane returned WIN her eyes so swollen WIN weep
g' as 10 give her aienaanS Tue erroneous impression
hat pesoAai violence was used 10 compel hef 10 con
sent lie accomplished ms resolution, said jose
phine, with cruelty OF which no iaea can be form .
cd" 1t was however the cruelty OF the decoration oil
her heat and the crushing OF all her hopes, I'm
what slupor, IN what uncertainty, more cruel than
death did i've during these discussions, until the Ia
ai Day 10 whlch he aTowed ihe resolution winch
ha .r SO long READ IN hs counlenance.
ihe la'ai DAY ior Inc announcement atensth arriy-
cd Josephine appears 70 nave had some presenlimsnt
mat her doom was sealed Tor all the day she had been
IA "St Pii'a'S "PaitlueL', weeping pifei} fss rue
dlhher noun approached, 10 cohceai her weeping ana
swollen eyes she wore mead dress with deep 'front.'
Which shaded the whole OF The upper part OF ief lace
ihey dined alone Napoleon entered the room IN the
deepest emoarrasSment lie uttered not word, but
mechanically struck the edge OF his glass with his
hnlie, as u 70 avert ms thoughts Josephine could
not conceal the conclusive agIiaons OF her frame
IAey sal during the whole meal m silence. The va
roos courses Were brought IN, and removed untouch
ed by either says Josephine, 1--WE d'ned together as
usual struggled with my tears, which, noiwlih-
standing every effort, overiiowed from my eyes ut
tered not single word during that solitary meal; and
he broke silence but once, 10 ask an attendant about
the weather My sunshine, saw, had passed away !;
The storm burst quickly" Immediately after this sor'
fowlui fepasi, Napoleon requested the attendants TO
leave the room. The Emperor, closing the door alter
them with his own hand approached Josephine, who
was trembling IN every nerve. The struggle IN the
soul OF Napoleon was fearful His whole frame irem
bled HIS eoun,enance assumed the expression OF the
firm resolve which negved him 10 this objectionable
wrong. He took the hand OF the Empress, pressed
It 10 his heart, gazed for moment, speeches., upon
those features which had won his youthful loves and
then, with voice Temulous with the storm which
shook both soul ana body, saii-"Josephne. my good
Josephine, you know how have loved YOU; II IS 10
you, 10 you alone that owe the lew moments OF hap
piHcss have known IN the world. Josephine, my
destiny is more powerful than my will. My dearest
affections must Weld 10 the interests OF France"
"Say no more, exclaimed the Empress, in mortal
ansush II expected ms Understand and feel for
you butthe stroke is not the less morlaP'-and with
piercing Shrek she fell liIeless upon Tue floor.
Napoleon hastily opened the door, and called for
help His ply sican, Dr. Corvsarl was al hand and
entering with other attendants, tleyrased The uncon-
seious Josephine from the floor; who in a delirum
Of agony was excaiming, "Oh 20, you cannot, YOU
canuo: do ~ You would mol kA me.n Napoleon
supported The limbs of Josephine while another bore
her body and thus they conveyed her to her bedroom
Placing the inseusIble Empress upon The bed, Napo
leon again dismissed the attendants aud rang for her
women who on entering found hinl beullu over her
liTpess farm yvthnn OK nresson of the ,lpafast AMY 10