The Yazoo Democrat. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1851-01-15
From forthcoming work by Rev. john s O. AbOOt.
DIVORCE OF JOSEPHINE.

DIV OhGL VI JOS EL L11NEs
Napoleon had become very strongly az
tached to his little grandchild, the son Of
Ilortense, and Of his brother, Louis, the
King of Holland The boy was extremely
beautiful and developed all those noble and
spirited traits Of character which delighted
tile emperor Napoleon had apparently
determined to make this young prince his
heir. This was SO generally the under
standing, both in France and in Holland,
that Josephine was quite at her ease, and
serene days again dawned upon her heart.
Early in the spring of 1907, this child
upon whom such destinies were depending,
then Eve years of age, was seized sudden
ly and violently with the Group, aud in
few hours died Fhe blow fell! upon the
heart of Jose phine with most appalling pow
err Deep as was her grief at the loss of the
child, she was overwhelmed with unCon-
trollabe anguish, i'll view of those fearful
consequences, which she shuddered to con-
template She knew that Napoleon loved
her fondly. But she also knew the strength
of his ambition, and that he would make
any sacrifice fhis affections, which in his
view, would subserVe the interests of his
power and his glory. For three days she
shut herself up in her room, and was con-
tiuually bathed in tears.
The sad intelligence was convey to Ma
poleou when he was far from home, in the
midst of the Prussiau campaign. lie had
been victorous-almost miraculously VIC
torious over his enemies. lie had gained &C.
cessiOus of power, such as in the widest
dreams ofyoath he he had hardly imagined
All opposition TO TO his sway was now
apparently crushed Napoleon had become
the Creator Of Kings Of Kings, and this
proudest monarchs Of Europe were con-
strained to do his bidding.
IL was ia an hour Of eXul;ation that the
mournful tidirgs reach him. lie sat down
in silence, buried his face in his hands,
aud for a long time seemed lost IN
to most painful mus ugs. lie was heard
mournlully aud anx ously to repeat to him
self, again aud again, 80 whom shall
leave all this!" The struggle in his mind
between his love for Jose phine and his am
bilious desire TO found a newdynasty, anl
10 transmit his name and fame 10 all pos
terity, was fearful. Ii was manifest in hi:
pallied cheek, IN his restless eye, in the
loss Of APPETITE aud Of sleep. But the sterl
will Of Bonaparte was Gnrelenting in it,
pu poses. With an energy, which the worlC
mas never seen surpassed, he had ohosel
has the purpose OF his part. 1t was thu
pIrpose of his soul-the lofty purpose be
fore which evrything had to bend-to &C
quirs the glory of making France the mos
illustrious, powerful aud happ nation eartl
had ever seen.
For this he was ready to sacrifice
comfort, ease; and his sense Of right. Flo
this he was ready to sunder the stron9es
ties Of affection.
Josephine knew Napoleon. She knew
the power of his ambition. With almos
insuppOrtable anguish she wept over tn
death Of this child, upon whose destines he
own seemed TO be SO fearfully blended, an
with trembling heart, she awaited he
husbands return. Mysterious hints be
gan to fill the journals of the contemplate
divorce, and of the alliance of Napolso
with various princesses of foreign courts
In October, 1909, Napoleon returned frou
Vienna. lie greeted Josephine with tn
greatest kindness, bat she soon perceived
tina. his mind was i'll at ease and that h
was pondering the dreakful queelion. III
appeared sad aud embarrassed He ha
frequent private interviews with his min
listers. A general feeling Of constraint pei
vaded the court. Napoleon scarcely ven
tured to look upon his wife. as if apprehen
sive that the very sight Of one he had love
so well might cause him to waver in hi
purpose. Josephine was in state of tn
most feverish solictude and vet wa
compelled to appear calm ard unconstrain
ed. As yet she had only some forboding
Of her impending doom. She watched
with most excited apprehensions, ever
sentiment he uttered. Each day some ne,
and trivial indication confined her fear
Her husband became more reserved; sbser
ted himself from her society; the privat
access between their apartments was clo
ed he now seldom entered her room, an
whenever he did 50 he invariably knocl
ed And yet not one word had passed b.
tween him and Josephine upon the fearfI
subject Whenever Josephine heard tn
sound Of his approaching footsteps, the fes
that he was coming Yithth the terrible al
nouncement Of separation Immediate
caused such violent paIpiation OF the heal
that was with the utmost difficulty ths
she could tOtser across the Aoor, even whe
supporting herself by leaning against tn
walls aud catching at the articles of furnl
ture.
The months Of October and Novemb.
passed away, and while the emperor ws
discussing with his cabinet the alliance ii
70 which he should enter, he had not sun