Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-05-06
Josephine.

The early days of this distinguished Empress
we're passed in the humble walks of life. The
years Of her childhood were spent among the
rude inhabitants of the island of Martinique -
Here, half doubling the truths Of the Syba's
words, she listened 70 the unfolding of her desti-
NY Thou shalt ue greavor, '---,. sls>n the
Queen of France" In the deep romance of her
youthful heart she might we'll treasure the words,
though she smiled halfincredulouslya she gazed
into the face of the Sybil. Years,-a few brief
years of happiness, were hers then came weary
hours of suffering and sorrow. Many changes,
scenes of pleasure and gladness and scenes OF
bitter sorrow, were hers before this oracle was
fulfilled.
Years passed; she moved in the first circles O.
Paris the star of every gay assembly. Her
beauty was that loveliness of motion which
plays like the light upon Autumn soft shade wy
days" But not the brilliant eyes that lay half
hidden by their silken lashes, and "mirrored so
we'll the thoughts of her soul" nor the rose
tinged cheek, mantled with ever varying bushes,
nor the sunny curls that clustered so fair about
her snowy brow, nor the tones of her voice that
fell so sweet upon every ear not these alone
made her " the admired Of all admirers y in the
gay circles of beauty andfashiOn. Her heart was
the home of kind and gentle thoughts, and her
hand was ever ready to minister to the wants Of
the poor and suffering. Twas happy hour for
France when Napoleon placed the coronet upon
her brow. As she knelt, tears dimmed her eyes,
the warm gushings of an humble, truthful heart,
more pure than the diamonds that encircled her
brow And joyously the "vine clad hills of sun
ny France echoed to the glad applause of the
French people Perchance. even then, her men,
ory wandered back to her childhood home, and
the simple pleasures that gladdened each coming
day; and well might she weep, if she had one
anticipation of her own dark, sad, future misery,
in the midst of greatness and spendor, and IN
store for her to find friendship but mere name'
and jealousy and GOODNESS given as the return Tor
pure Affection were to be her portion. The gentle
trusting truth of Josephine contrasted strangely
with the ardent, ambitious Napoleon, who so
madly sacrificed everything at the altar of an un
a huiy NrabiNiou-- Hove ssas name THAT was sp :
h ken with respect and love. The peasant m his
cottass. s.ss.-~s.a and the
noblest of the land were proud to breathe her
f name. But few brief years of happiness, as
) Empress of France. and the star of her fate be.
gan to wane. Napoleon, sacrificing everything
to his restless ambition, sought to add to his pow
er by an alliance with Austria And, as he said,
= My destinv overmasters my VII, " he cruelty
0 turned from her by whom he had risen to the
t throne of France, and gave her name and titles
4 to Maria Louisa But her devotion to Napoleon
remained the same through years of suffering to
her, and of success to him. When the star Of
her destiny no longer guided him, and dark clouds
obscured the sunlight of his prosperity when
friends grew false, and the dreariness and gloom
of Elbas lonely Isle were round him, ever true,
u her heart still turned to him who had thus cruelty
: severed their fates, and the deep devotion there
;, enshrined was the only thing that remained to
Il bless the naughty warrior in his island home
Sorrow and grief on account of her own suf'
8 ferngs, and sympathy in the misfortunes of Ma
poleon, preyed upon her spirit, and she sunk
under her many trials. She died in the spring of
n 1914. Her last words were of France and Ma
poleon and truly. she has said that " the first
wife of Napoleon never caused a single tear to
/ fow." Her twochildren, Eugene and Hortense,
Is knelt by her bedside, bathed in tears while calmly
+ like the last dying rose of summer hours, her
pure spirit passed to its more peaceful rest in the
Paradise above.
. She had been truly loved by the French peo
u pie; and many eyes were dim with tears on tina
y !, sad morn when they consigned to the cold tomb
!. the remains of her whom they had loved so well
A simple monument marks the place of her re
- pose, with the inscription, Eugene and Hortens
Il to Josephine" Despatch.