The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-03-25
Josephine, "The Star of Napoleon"
BY REV. JOHN s. C. ABBOTT.

tened the poignancy of her past sorrows, she
mingled more and more in the circles of that
metropolis ever devoted to gaiety. The terrible
conyulsions, of the times had thrown the whole
fabric of society into confusion. Great efforts
were now made to revive the festivities of for
mer days. Two ccnters of society were natu-
rally formed. The first included that in which
Josephine moved. 1t was composed of those
remains of the ancient nobility, who had
turned TO Paris with the fragments of their fa-
miles and their shattered fortunes. Rigid
economy was necessary to keep up an appear
ance Of elegance. But that polish of manners
which almost invariably descends from an illus
trious ancestry, marked all their intercourse
The humiliatiOns through which the mobiles had
passed, had not diminished the exclusiveness of
their tastes. The other circles were composed
of merchants and bankers who had acquired
Opulence in the midst of the confscations and
storms of revolution. The passion for display
was prominent in all their assemblies, es is ne
cessarily the case with those whose passport 70
distinction is wealth.
At the theatres and places Of public fegtivity
there were presented studied memorials of the
scenes Of horror through which all had recently
passed. One of the most fashionable and bril-
liant assemblies then known in Paris, was cal
led TIE Bal Of the ''Victims." No was ad
mitted to this assembly, who had not lost some
near relative by the guillotne. The most fash
ionable style Of dressing the hair, was joccose-
ly called "a Ia glaILotns." The hair was
gcd in the manner in which it had been adjusted
by the executioner, for the unimpeded operation
of the axe.
Josephine, young widow with beauty, grace,
intelligence and property, to attract
attention, and to meet with admirers who would
seek her hand.
new insurrccton by the populace of Paris
al this time planned against the convention.
The exasperated people were again to march
upon the Tuileries. The members were in ex-
treme CONSERVATION. The mob could bring tens
of thousands against them, well armed with
muskets and heavy artillery. There were but
five hundred regular troops, with which to resist
the onset. Menou, the officer in command, ac-
knOwledged his inability to meet the crisis, and
surrendered his power to Barras. He immedi
.ately, as by a sudden thought exclaimed 81
know the who can defend US 1t iG a little
Corsican, who dares do anything, and is perfect
ly reckless of consequences"
The little Corsican, Napoleon Bonaparte, the
day star of whose fame was just beginning to
rise over the smoulderng ruins of Toulon, was
presented to the Convention. His fragile form
was almost feminine in its proportions, but
eagle eye calmly reposed in his pallid and ENACT
ated countenance. He had been severely sick,
and the Convention looked with amazement up
on this feeble youth as the one presented to
rescue them from their peril.
The President looked upon him doubtingly
and said, "Are you willing to undertake our de-
/ fence 20
Eyes - was the calm, laconic reply.
'.But are you aware Of the magnitude of the
undertaking ?''
81 am in the habit of accomplishing that
which undertake. was the imperturbable re-
sponse.
From that moment his authority was estab-
lished. Every member of the Convention felt
the mysterious fascination of his master mind
Barras surrendered the whole command into his
hands. He instantly called in all the national
forces which were around Paris, and disposed
fifty pieces of heavy artillery under the com
maud OF blurat, so as 10 rake all the avenues
of the Convention. His calm and almost super
human energy sought no repose that night. The
delay of but few moments would have placed
this very park of artillery, which secured its
victory, in the hands of the insurgents. When
the morning dawned, the Tuilleries, as if by
magic had.assumed the aspect of a fortified
camp. The little Corscan was calmly awaiting
the onset as secure of triumph as if the victory
were already achieved.
But In every quarter of Paris, during the
night, the insurgents had been mastering their
forces and the mutterings of the approaching
storm were dismally echoed through the streets
of the metropolis. Above thirty thousand men,
all well armed with muskets and artillery, in
regular military array, and under experienced
generals, came pouring down upon the feeble
band which surrounded the Convention
Will the little Corsican dare to fire upon the
people? VIII this pale and slender youth, who
had hardly yet entered upon the period OF man
hood dare to deluge the pavement OF Paris
with the blood of her own citizens VIII he
venture upon u conflict unequal, when failure
is his certain death |
Napoleon with his colorless cheek, his fash !