The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-04-24
MISCELLANY.
J 0 S E P II l n E.

The recent occurrences in Europe have
brought viyidlv before lis the character and po
sition of the Empress Josephine. Connected
with France, in the days of revolutionary ex.
element, she had suffered much bitterness be-
fore she was made partner in the imperial
crown; and from the enviable height which
she attained she was most wan;only hurled
down by the unbounded ambition of the I'M
fortunate Napoleon. Yet, amidst all her posi-
tons, whether as a Creole on her fathers plan
tation, a Countess among the nobility OF
| France, prisoner in the dungeons of Paris,
an Empress on the throne, or the rejected vic
tim Of ambition, she displayed a magnanimity
of soul scarcely paralleled in the annals of her
| sex.
| She was born on the 18th of June, l7G3, in
the Island of Martinique, and there remained
until she had reached the years Of womanhood
| At the urgent solicitation of her parents, she
then visited France TO reside with her aunt
Rcmandin. when she became acquainted and
married Niscount Beauharnais. Of her early
wears few very remarkable incidents are re-
corded She was light-hearted daughter of
our American islands, and loved TO sport I'M
restrained bv conventional forms. Her own
language, is this:
Olt llOl Hht INT vi
or to be crampcd in my movements. / ran.
and Jumped, and danced from morning to
'iinht WHY restrain the wild movements OF
nv childhood wanted TO do no hurt to those
from whom received any evidences of affec-
ton. Nature gave me great facility for ev-
erv thing | undertook. Learning TO read and
write was mere sport; the same WAS true as to
the instruction received from my father and
there were few better taught men. or possess
ing a more skillful manner in making himself
understood, than he. had no other master
until was twelve years old"
In common with young people generally,
she had strong desire 10 know her future des-
iny in life aud for this purpose she visited
the cottage of an old negro woman, who was
reported to be a fortune-tellcr. The result of
that visit we extract from the account given
bv Mademoiselie Normand, as containing 4
most singular prediction which was literally
| fulfilled.
The black woman, after telling her that she
really wished to know the whole truth, not
withstanding her apparent indifference, re-
marked that her fTankness would cause her a
great surprise. She then examined the ball
of her left thumb with marked attention
while doing so. the Pythoness changed coun-
tenance repeatedly; then, in hollow shrill
voice. she ariculated these words:
You will be married TO man of fair COM
| pexion, destined 10 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
to think of you; you will never marry him,
and you will make vain attempts to save his
life; but his end will be unhappy. Your star
promises you two marriages. Your first hus-
band will be n man born in Martinique, but
will reside in Europe and wear sword he
will enjoy some moments of good fortune. A
sad legal proceeding will separate you from
him, and after many great troubles, which are
to befal the kingdom of the Franks, he will
perish tragicaly, and leave YOU a widow with
two helpless children. Your second husband
will be of an olive complexion, of European
birth without fortune, vet he will become IA
nous; he will fill the world with his glory, and
will subject great many nations TO his pow
| err. You will then become an eminent trOmQn
/ and possess a supreme dignity but mary peo-
pie will forget your kindness. After having
astonished the world, yOu ,cW die miSerdJLe.-
| The country in which what | foretell must
happen, forms a part of Celtic GduL; and
more than once, in the midst of your prosper
ity, you will regret the happy and peaceful
J life you led in the colony. At the moment you
shall quit Out not .torecer,) a prodigy will APP
pear in the air: this will be the first harLinger
of your astonishing destiny"
Wher Josephine left the island strange
phenomenon was observed, and her mind was
deeply impressed for a time with the convic-
ton that the words of the colored fortune-tel-
Ter would prove true; but as strange scenes
arose before her, she was diverted from her
reflections. In her marriage with NJ. Beauhar-
nais she was unfortunate. He was moved to
jealousy, by the treachery of a female friend,
tina. her affections had once been fixed upon
young Creole, who had grown up with her
in her native island. Her husband abandon
ed her and her two children for some years;
and when, afterward, reconciliation was Of
fected, ii was but TO precede a severer trial.
Her husband was member Of the famous
assembly convoked at the commencement of
the French Revolution. His influence was
vast, and he was called TO preside over it. But
in the days of Robespierre he was among the
doomed. Josephine was there too. In her
prison she read of the execution of her hus-
band, and had the fall of Robespierrc been