Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-27
THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE.

The revolutions of the past year have
brought vlvldly before us the character and
position 81 the Empress Josephine. Con-
nected with France, in her days of revolu-
tIonary excitement she had suffered much
bitterness before size was made partner in
the lmpeTial Crown; aud from the enviable
height which she n,tained she was most
wantonly hurled down by the unbounded
ambition OF the unfortunate Napoleon.-
ret anna all her positions, whether as a
young Creole on her fathers plantation. a
countess among the nobility of France, a
prisoner III the dungeons of Paris. an En-
press on the throne, or the rejected victim
OF ambition, she displayed magnanimty
OF soul scarcely paraleed in the annals OF
her sex.
She was born on the 9Th of June, 1863,
IN the Island of Martinique, aud there re-
manned until she had reached the years of
womlnhood. AT the urgent solicitation of
her parents, she then visited France to re-
side with her aunt Rcnaudin where she be-
came acquainted with aud married Viscount
Beauharnals. OF her early years, very few
remarkable instances are recorded. She
was llght-hearied daughter of our Amer-
can islands, and loved to sport unrestra;ned
by conventional forms. Her own language
is -
/ Il did not like tie restraint of my cloth
ing, nor to be cramped in my movements.
ran, and Jumped, and danced from morn
ing to night. Why restrain the wild move
Inenis of my childhood? | wanted to do
no hurt to those from whom | received any
evidences of affection. Nature gave me
great facility for every thing undertook
Learning to read and write was mere sport ::
the same was true as to the instruction re-
celved from my father and there were few
better taught men, or possessing more skill
in making himself understood, than he ]
had no other master until was twelve years
DID,"
In common with young people generally,
she had strong desire to know her future
destiny in life; and for this purpose she Wis
tied the cottage of an Old negro woman, who
was reported TO be iorlune-teler. The
result of that visit we extract from the ac-
count given by Mademolselle Normand, as
containing most singular prediction which
was literally fulfilled.
The black woman, after telling her that
her ar. taught her that she wished to know
'"S "h"ic uutl, NOTWITHSTANDING lleT hppdr-
ent indifference, remarked, that her frank
ness would cause her great surprise. She
then examined the ball of her left thumb
with marked attention; while doing so the
Pythoness changed countenance repeatedly;
then, in hollow, shrill voice, she artcula-
ted these words
You will be married 10 man of fair
complexion, destined to be the husband of
another of your family The young lady
whose place you are called to fill, will not
live long. A young Creole whom you love,
does not cease 10 think OF you; you will
never marry him, and you will make vain at
tempts to save his life but his end will be
unhappy. Your star promises you two mar
rlages. Your first husband will be a man
born III Martinique, but he will reside in
Europe and wear II sword; he will enjoy
some moments of good fortune A sad e-
gal proceeding will separate you from him,
and after many great troubles, which aIe to
beiall the Kingdom of the Franks, he will
perish lraglcally, and leave you a widow
with two helpless children. Your second
husband will be Of all olive complexion, of
European birth; without fortune, yet he wall
become famous; he will fill the world with
his glory, and will subject great many ma
lions to his power. You will then become
an eminent i0oman, and possess supreme