Democratic banner. (Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo.) 1845-1852, 1851-01-06
From the Home Journal.
DIVORCE OF JOSERHINE.

DIVORCE OF JOSEPHINE.
Napnlen had become very strongly attached tc
his little grsndchild, the son of Hortense, and oi
his brother, Louis, the King Of Holland. The
boy was extremely beautiful, and developed all
those noble and spirited traits Of character which
delighted the Emperor. Napoleon had apparent.
" determined to make this young prince his Eelr.
This was so generally the understanding, both in
France and in Holland, that Josephine was quite
at case, and serene days again dawned upon her
heart. Early in the spring of 1907, this child
upon whom such destines were depending, then
Eve years Of age, was suddenly and violently
seized with the Group, and in few hours died.
The blow fell upon the heart Of Josephine with
most appalling power. Deepas was her grief at
the ios3 Of the child, she was overwhelmed with
uncomfortable anguish in view Of those fearful
consequences which she shuddered TO centem-
plate. She knew that Napoleon loved her fond
". But she also knew the strength Of his ambi.
ton, and that he would make any sacrifice Of his
affections, which, in his view, would suhserve
the interests oI his power and glory. For three
days she shut herself up in her room, anG was
continually bathed in tears.
The sad intelligence was conveyed to Napo-
leon, when he was far from home, in the midst
Of the Prussian campaign. He had been victo-
rious -almost miraculously victorious-over his
enemies. He had gained accessions Of power,
such a. in the widest dream of youth he had
hardly imagined. All opposition to his away was
now apparently crushed. Napoleon had become
the creator of kings, and the proudest monarch'
of Europe were constrained TO do his bidding
It was in an hour of exultatien that the mourn
full tidings reached him. He sat down in silence
buried his face in his hands, and for long time
seemed lost in the most painful musings. He
was heard mourntully and anxiously to repeat te
himself again and again, ssTo whom shall leave
all this?" The struggle in his mind between hi'
love for Josephine, and his ambitious desire tc
found new dynasty, and to transmit his fame tt
all pssterity, was fearful Twas manifest in hi.
.palAd cheek, In his restless eye, in the loss oi
appetite and sleep. But the stern will of Bona.
parts was unrelenting in its purposes. With ar
energy which the world has never seen surpass.
ed, he had chosen his part. 1t was the purpose
Of his soul-the lofty purpose before which every
thing had to bend-to acquire glory Of making
Francs the most illustrious, powerful and happy
nation the earth had ever seen. For this he wa.
ready to sacrifice comfort, ease, and his sense oi
right. For this he was ready to sunder the
strongest ties of affection. .-
Josephine knew Napoleon. She knew the
power of his ambition. With almost insupporta
Ole anguish she wept over the death Of this child
upon whose desfinies her own seemed to he sC
fsarfully blended, and, with a trembling heart
che awaited her husbands return. Mysteriou.
hints began to gil the Journals Of the contemplat.
ed divorce and Of the alliance Of Napoleon with
various princesses OF foreign courts. In Oct.
1909, Napoleon returned from Vienna. He
greeted Josephine with the greatest kindness,
but she soon perceived that his mind was i'll al
ease, and that be was pondering the dreadful ques
zion. He appeared sad and embarrassed. He
had frequent private interviews with his minis.
tsrs. A general feeling of constraint pervaded
the court. Napoleon scarcely ventured TO look
upon his wife, as if apprehensiVe that the very
sight Of one he had loved so well might cause
him to wavsr IN his firm purpose. Josephine
was in state Of the most feverish sOlictude, and
yet was compelled to appear calm and uncon.
strained. As yet she had only some forebodings
20 her impending doom. She watched, with the
most sxcitsd apprehension, every movement ol
the EnSercr,s eye. every intonsiion of his voice
asvery sentiment he uttered. Every day some
new and trivial indication confirmed her fears
Her husband became more reserved; sbsented
himself from her society; the private access be.
tween their apartments was closed; he now sci.
dom entered her room, and whenever he did st
invariably Knocked. And yet not one word had
passed between him and Josephine upon the
fearful subject. Whenever Josephine heard The
sound o his approaching footsteps, the fear thai
he was coming with the terrible announcement
~ separation, Immediately caused such violent
pslpitation of the heart that 1t was with the ut.
I inOstdif fipahy that she could tOtter across The
Aocfrsyen when supporting herself by leaning
against the walls, and catching at the articles o
], furniture.
The months Of October and November passed
away. and while the Emperor was discussing
With bis cabinstthe alliance into which he should
eater, he had not summoned courage to breaL
tes subject TO- Josephine. The evidence il indu.
tAlako that he exnasie mad intsnsa anp,iishs In