The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-11-23

heart but there is no sacrifice which is above my
courage when 1t is proved to be the interests Of
France Far from having any canse of complaint,
have nothing to say, but in praise Of the attach
ment and tenderness Of my beloved wife, She
has embelished Is years of my life, and the re
membrance Of them will be forever engraven mp
ON my heart. She was crowned by my hand
She saall retain always the rank and title Of En-
press. Above all, let her never doubtmy feelings
Or regard me but as her best and dearest friend"
| Josephine her eyes filled with tears, with fal.
tering voice replied:
Il respond to all the sentiments Of the Empo-
ror, IN coilsenting to the dissolution of marriage
which henceforth is an obstacle to the happiness
OF France, by depiving Of the blessing OF being
one day governed by the descendants Of that
great man, evidently raised up by Providence to
eface the evils of terrible revolution and to re
store the altar the throne and social order. But
his marriage will in no respect change the senti-
ments of my heart. The Emperor will ever find
in me his best friend know what this act, com
manded by policy and exalted interests has cost
his heart; bnt we both glory in the sacrifice We
make for the good Of our country. | feel eleva-
ted in giving the greatest proof of attachment and
devotion that was ever given upon earth
Such were the sentiments which were express
ed in public. But IN private, Josephine surren-
dered herself to the unrestrained dominion Of her
anguish No language can depict the intensity Of
her woe. For SIX months she wept so necessarily
that her eyes were nearly blinded with grief
/ Upon the ensuing day the council were again as
sembled in the grand saloon to witness the legal
consumma,on of the divorce. The Emperor en-
tered the room dressed in the imposing robes Of
state, but palid, careworn and wretchsd low
tones OF voice, harmonizlng with tho mournful
scene, filled the room. Napoleon, apart by him-
sell, leaned against pillar folded his arms upon
his breast, and i'll perfect silence, apparently lost
IN glomy thought, remained motioness as a stat
ue. A circular tatle was placed in the centre Of
the apartment, and upon this there was writing
apparatus Of gold A vacant arm chair stood be.
fore the table. Never did multitude gaze upon
the scatfold the block or the guillotine with more
: awe than the assembled lords and ladies' in this
gorgeous saloon contemplated these instruments
Of more dreadful execution
At length the mourufu silence was nterrupted
by the opening Of side door and the entrance Of
Josephine. The pallOr Of death was upon her
: brow, and the submission Of despair nerved her
INTO temporary calmness. She was leaning up.
on the arm Of llortense, who not possessing the
fortltnde of her mother, was entirely unable TO
control her feelings, but Immediately upon enter.
my the room, burst into tears and continued sob
blng most convulsiyely. The whole assembly
rose upon the entrance Of Josephine--all were
moved to tears. With that grace which ever dis
ilnguished her movements, she advanced silently
to the seat provided for her. Sitting dowu and
leaning her forehead upon her hand, she listened
TO the reading Of the act of separation Nothing
disturbed the silence of the scene but the sobbngs
ofliortcnsc blending with the nlournful tones Of
the readera voice. Eugene, in the meantime had
taken position by his mothers side Silent tears
were trickllng down the cheeks of the Empress
As soon as the reading ef She act of separation
was finished, Josephine for a moment pressed her
+, handkercile! TO her weeping eyes, and then ris-
: ing, N clear and musical but trenuous tones,
pronounced the oath VI acceptance She then
lat down, took the pen and affixed her signature
to the deed which suudered the dearest hopes and
ondest ties which human hearts can feel Poor
Eugene could endure this language no longer
His brain recled his heart ceased to beat aud he
fell lifcleis upon the floor Josephine and Hor.
tense retired with the attendants, who bore out
the insenslble form Of the aifectionate son and
brother. 1t was fitting termination Of this
mournful but sublime tragedy.
Bu, the anguish Of the day was not vet over.
Josephine, half delrious with grief, had anothe
scene still more painful to pass through, in taking
a final adicu of him who had been her husband
Josephine remained in her chamber il hearrend.
! ing, spePchess grefuntil the hour in which NapQ,
leon usually retired for the night The EmperJ1
restless aud wretched had Just placed himself in
the bed from which he had elected his most faith.
ful and devoted wife, and the attendant was on
the point OF leaving the room, when the private
door Of his apartment was slowly opened and
Josephine treinblngly entered Her ewes were
swollen with grief her hair dishevelled and she
appeared in all the dishabillc Of unutterable an.
sulsh. She tottered into the middle of the room.
and approached the bcd--,hen irresouey stop
ping, she burst into flood of tears A feeling Of
'ielicacy seemed for moment to have arrested
her steps-a copscousne;s that nor she had no
right to enter .he chamber of Napoleon--but in
another moment all the pent up love of her heart
burst forth, and, forgetting everything she threw
herself upon the bed, clasped her arms around
Napoeon's neck and excIaiming, My husband !
my husband ~ she sobbed as though her heart
wore breaking The imperial spirit of Napoleon
was for the moment entirely varquishcd, and he
also wept almost convulsiycly. He assured 10.
sephlne of his love, of ardent and unlying love
In every way he tried to soothe and comfort her,
and Tor some time they renamed locked in each
Other. embrace. Tho attendant was dismissed,
and for an hour they continued in this last private
interview. Josephine, then in the experience of
an anguish which few hearts have ever known,
parted forever from the husband whom she had
so long, so fondy and so faithfully loved
The beautiful palace of Mamaison, which Ma
poeon had cmbclshed with every possible at
traction, and where the Emperor and Empress
had passed mrNy Of their happcst hours, was
asslgned to Josephine for her future residence
Napoleon also settled upon her jointure of about
100000 year. She was also still to retain the
title End rank of Empress Queen.
! The ensuing dav, at eleven O'clock all tho
ln1l Of Fail, A.
the grand staircase and in the vostibule, to wit.
ness the departure OF their beloved mistress from
scenes where she bad so long been the brightest
ornament Josephine descended, veilsd from head
to foot Her emotions were too deep for utter.
ance, and she waved au adeu to the ailectiOnate
and weeping friends who surrounded her A
close carriage with six horses was before the door
She entered it, sank back upon the cushions, bur.
led her face in her handkerchief and left tho Tuil
leres forever.