Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-01-03

the coronation and of the victory of Austertz Paris
filed with rejoicing The bells rang their mer-
riest peals The metropolis was reiuigels Win iiu
mination In these festivities. Josephine was COM
PEELED to appear She knew that the soyereigns ana
princes then assembled in Paris were informed OF her
approaching disgrace. In all these sends OF tn
umph she heard but the kne1 OF her OWL doom ana
though careful observer. in her moistened eye and
her pallid cheek would have observed indications OF
the secret wee which was consuming her heart, her
habitual aabiliy and grace never IN pubic Tor one
moment forsook her Rortense, languld and sorrow
stricken was with Der mother. Eugene was also
summoned from italy bv the melancholy duty attend
ing the divorce. His first interview was with his
mother From the saloon he went directly to the
cabinet of Napoleon, and inquired of the emperor if
he had decided the question of divorce from us
mother. Napoleon who most strongly attached
to Eugene, made no reply, but pressed his hand as
an expression that it was so. Eugene Withdrew his
hand and said:
Sire in that case, permit me to withdraw from
your service"
Howl exclaimed Napoleon sadly, "will you,
Eugene, my adopted son. leave me :!
Yes, sire Eugene firmly replied. 1.-The son Of
her who is longer empress cannot remain viceroy.
will follow my mother into her retreat. She must
now find her consolation in her children
Napoleon was not without feelings. Tears fl
led his eyes. In a mournful voice, tremulous with
emotion, he replied.
Eugene, you know the stern necessity which COM
pels this measure. And will you forsake me! Who
preserver Of my would watch over the
child when I am absent ! If die, who will prove
to him father Who will bring him up! Who IS
to make a man of him p
Eugene was deeply affected, and taking Napoleon S
arm, they retired and conversed long time t0geth
er. The noble Josephine, ever sacrificing her own
feelings to promote the happiness OF others, urged
her son to remain the friend of Napoleon. " The
emperor she said, lis your benefactor, your more
than father to whom you indebted for everything
o~,1+ hOnn IL
ence.'
The fatal day for the contamination of the divorce
at length arrived twas the fifteenth day of Deem
Der, eighteen hundred and nine. Napoleon had as
sembled all the kings princes and prlncesses, VINO
were members of the imperial family, and also the
most illustrious officers OF the empire IN the grand
saioon Of the Tuileries. Every individual present
was oppressed with the melancholy grandeur OF the
occasion Napoleon thus addressed them
The political interests Of monarchy. the wishes
Of nv people. which have constantly guided my &C
tons, require that should transmit to an heir in
hcritng M love for the people, the throne which
Providence has pleaced me. For many years have
lost all hopes of having children by my beloved
spouse the empress Josephine. 1t is this coosidera
ton which induces to sacrifice the sweetest aec-
tons Of my heart oconsult only the good Il my sub
iects and desire the dissolution of marriage. Ar
rived at the age Of forty years, may indulge rea
sonable hope Of living long enough to rear in the
spirit of nv own thoughts and disposition, the chill
ne. God knows what such determination has cost
nv heart: bat there is 10 sacrifice which is above
my courage when it is proved to be for the interest
Of France. Far from having any cause of complaint,
have nothing to say. but in praise of the attach
ment and tenderness of my beloved wife. She has
embellshed fifteen years of my life. and the remem
brance Of them will be forever engraven my heart
She was crowned V my hand. She shall retain al
ways the rank and title Of empress. Above all let
her doubt my feelings, regard me but as her
hos md
Josephine, her eyes filled with tears, with falter
ing voice, replied:
Z respond to all the sentiments of the emperor,
in c0nsentng to the dissolution of marriage which
heneeforth is an obstacle to the happiness of France
BY depriving it of the blessing of being day gov
erned by the descendants of that great man. evident
II raised up by Providence to eface the evils ola ter
rble revolution, and to restore the altar the throne
and social order But his marriage will, in no res
pcct change the sentiments of my heart. The en-
peror will ever find in nc his best friend. | know
what this act, commanded by policy and exalted III
terests has his heart but both glory in the
sacrifices make for the good of our country. |
feel elevated in giving the greatest proof of attach
ment and devotion that was given upon earth
Such were the sentiments which were expressed in
public. But in private Josephine surrendered her
self to the unrestraincd dominion of her anguish No
language can depict the intensity of her woe. For
six months she wept SO inccsSantly that her eyes
were nearly blinded with grief. Upon the ensuing
day the counsel again assembled in the grand
saloon to witness the legal contamination of the di-
The emperor entered the room dressed in the
imposing robes of state but pallid, careworn and
wrctchcd. Low tones ofyoice. harmonizing with the
mournful scene filled the room. Napoleon, apart by
himself leaned against pillar folded his arms up
his breast and in perfect silence apparently lost
in gloomy thought, remained motiouesS statue,
circular table placed in the centre ofthe apart
ment. and upon this there writing apparatus
of gold vacant armchair stood before the table.
Never did multitude gaze upon the scatfold, the
block, the guillotine. with more than the as
sembled lords and ladies in this gorgeous saloon
emplatcd these instruments Of a more dreadful exc
cution.
At length the mournful silence interrupted by
the opening of side door. and the entrance of Jo-
sephine. The pallor of death was upon her brow,
and the submission of despair nerved her into tenn
porary calmness. She was leaning upon the arm OF
Hortense who, not possessing the fortitude of her
mother. entirely unable TO control her feelings
but Immediately upon entering the room burst into
tears. and continued sobbng most convulsvely. The
whole assembly upon the entrance of Josephine
all were moved to tears. With that grace which
ever distinguished her movements, she advanced ST.
lently to the seat provided for her. Sitting down
and leaning her forehead upon her hand she listened
to the reading of the act desperation Nothing dis
urbed the silence of the scene but the sobbngs OF
Hortense blended with the mournful tones Of the
readers voice. Eugene, in the meantime had taken
position by his mothers side. Silent tears were
trickling down the cheeks of the empress.
As soon as the reading of the act of separation was
finished, Josephine for moment pressed her hand
kerchief to her weeping eyes, and then rising. in
clear and musical, but trenulous tones pronounced
tie oath of acceptance She then sat down, took the
pen, and affixed her signature to the deed which
sundered the dearest hopes and the ndest ties which
human hearts can feel. Poor Eugene could endure
this language no longer His brain reeei his heart