Washington telegraph., 1849-04-18
Attention to the education of her chill.

the natlOn, respecting which she was
frequently consulted by those in power.
gradually removed the gloom which had
gathered around her. She mingled again
in company, and was induced to give her
hand to the energetic and inspiring Ma
poleon. The union was for him happy
one. She counselled him in all his plans,
and sympathized with him in all his af-
fictions. 1t was the influence of jose
phine that made him consul of France,
and opened the way to the empire
Against his assumption, however, of that
dignity, she earnestly demonstrated.
In the hour of his prosperity, Napole-
on sought an alliance with the reigning
families of Europe. He wished to
strengthen his position, and to leave an
heir to his throne. Josephine was divorc-
ed; and Maria Louisa, of Austria, was
crowned Empress. In her humiliation,
she called to mind the declaration made
to her in her youth, that she "Sh0uL1 die
miserable" But while Napoleon lived
in honor, she sustained every aff1iction
with philosophic calmness. Often did he
meet her in her residence and counsel her
as to his future plans She always re-
ceived him with respect, and her counsels
were marked with solictude for his
welfare, which he could find nowhere
else.
Amidst the traits Of character which
had distinguished Josephine, we can in
this sketch notice but two-her magma
nimity of soul, and her interest in the ed
+ ~ 4. Il.
displayed on many interesting occasions.
When M Beauharnois had abandoned
her, and when severe imputations had
been made against her, strong in the con-
sciousness of her own integrity, she be-
trayed no passion against her husband
She was afflicted--she resisted the appli-
cation for divorce-but she uttered no
recrimination. In after times, when
those who had been her enemies came
into her power, she exhibited no resent
ment-no retaliation. When Napoleon
triumphed and cities were subjected by
his martial energy and skill, her lips ever
pleaded the cause of humanity, and urged
to acts of kindness to the vanquished.-
Around herself she gathered, by courtesy
and condescension, the hearts of the cap
tured and friends every where were won
to the brilliant commander. She rejoiced
in his success-she was pround of his
merits, and yet she wished no crown to
be on his head, though she would be the
sharer in all his glory. Earnestly did
she plead with him to restore the Bour-
bon family to France, instead of assum-
ing for himself the imperial throne.
When for the Austrian Princess she
was set aside, she predicted to Napoleon
his ultimate ruin. With his advisers she
was thoroughly acquainted, and she knew
that no heart, as truly as her own, was
devoted to his interests. His ambition
unrestrained, she perceived, would lead
him into irretrievabe errors and for him.
it is said, she grieved as much as for the
disgrace inflicted upon herself and her
children. Unlike Medea, of classic song
she sought no vengeance against the
young Empress. She planned no i'll
against her erring husband. When It'd
ings of approaching danger reached her
ears, messenger was sent to the Empe-
ror and in his gloomy hours Napoleon
came for counsel 20 his faithful advl-
SER At his overthrow and exile to Elba
she was deeply panied. The restoration
of the Bourbons pleased her, but not the
humiliation of the Emperor. The allied
powers of Europe visited her mansion
The Emperor Alexander was exceedingly
polite in his attentions. She received
them courteously, and the casual observ-
er might have supposed she was f1attered;
but she was sick at heart. In the midst
of their rejoicing-.while the kings OF Eu-
rope were in her mansiOn-disease ap-
preached. And when she found herself
sinking, and her two children, Eugene
and Hortense, bathed in tears stood be-
side her bed, she called for the portrait
of Napoleon that hung in her chamber
On that portrait fell her last tear, and on
it her eye rested as it closed in death.
Not less distinguished was Josephine
for her deep interest in the instruction OF
her children. The splendors of the court,
the brilliant triumphs of the camp, adul-
tation of scyophants at home and the
grateful expressions of thanks by persons
relieved by her bounty, failed to withdraw
her attention from the improvement of
her Eugene and Hortense. Her mother
was unusually domestic, and all the en-
treatise of Napoleon could not induce
her TO forsake her plantation for a resi-
dence at conrt. Josephine, though not
so muched attached to the country, still
loved domestic life. She loved to culti-
vate the flowers in the garden, and to join
with her children i'll their walks and So
cial converse Into their useful minds
she instilled the same high sense of hon
or, the same magnanimity OF soul tor
which she was so eminentiy distinguish
ed As the result of such attentions,