Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-21
MISCELLANEOUS.

ny REV. JOHN 9. C. ABBOTT.

FROM a roTthcontng WORK
Divorce of Jos p Inc.
by REV. JOHN 8. C. ABBOTT.
Napoleon had become very strongly attach
ID to his little grandchiId. the son of Hortense
md of his brother Louis, the King Of Holland
The boy was extremely beautiful, and devel
..ped all those noble and spirited traits ofchar-
ecter which delighted theemperor. Napoleon
h ad apparently determined to make this young
'rince his heir. This was so generally the
understanding. both in France and in Holland
bat Josephine was quite at ease. and serene
days again dawned upon her heart.
Early in the spring of 1887. this child. upon
whom such des,inies were depending. then
tive years of age, was seized suddenly and
,iolently with the Group. and in few hours
lied. The blow fell upon the heart Of jose
phine with most appalling power. Deep as
was her grief at the loss of the child. she wss
overwhelmed with uncomfortable anguish in
Jew ofthose fearful consequences, which she
shnddered to contemplate. She knew that
Napoleon loved her fondly. But she knew
o ESQ the strength of his ambition, and that he
'ould make any sacrifice Of his affections, which,
in his view. would subserve the interests of his
r pwer and his glory. For three days she shu,
h erself up in her room, and was continually
b arhed in tears
The sad intelligence was conveyed to Ma.
poleoE. when he was far from home, in the
nidst Of Prussian campaign. He had been
victorious-almost miraculously Victorious
lie had gained accesssions Of power. such as
i'm The widest dreams of youth he hardly ina.
gimed. All opposition to his sway was now
pparently crushed. Napoleon had become the
Creator ofkings. and the proudest monarchs Of
Europe were constrained to do his bidding
! t was in an hour Of exultaion that the mourn.
ful tidings reached him. He sat down in 81
hence, buried his face in his hands, and for q
l. ,ng time seemed lost in the most painful mus
n,gs He was heard mournfuly and anguish.
: TO repeat to himself again and again. "To
whom shall leave all thisl The struggle in
his mind between his love for Josephine, and
bis ambitious desire to found new dynasty
and to transmit his name and fame to all pos
terity. was fearful. 1t was manifest in his pal
lid cheek, in his restless eye, in the loss OF ap
petite, and Of sleep. But the stern will Of Bo
naparte was unrelenting in its purposes. With
an energy which the world has never seen sur
passed he had chosen his part. 1t was the pur
pose of his soul-the lofty purpose to which
everything had to bend. to acquire the glory
of making France the most illustrious. pow or
ful and happy nation earth had ever seem
For this he was ready to sacrifice comfort. east
and his sense of right. For this he was ready
to sunder the strongest ties Of affection.
Josephine knew Napoleon. She knew the
portable anguish. she wept over the death
TO be fearfully blended. and. with trembling
| l. ..uJ L
! Mysterious hints began to fill the journals o
the contemplated divorce. and of the alliance
Of Napoleon with various Princesses of for
tagn courts.
In October 1909. Napoleon returned fron
Vienna. He greeted Josephine with the great
,st kindness; but she soon perceived that hi.
mind was i'll at ease, and that he was ponder
ing the dreadful question. He appeared sac
tnd embarrassed. He had frequent private
interviews with his ministers. A general feel
ing OF constraint pervaded the court. Napoleon
carcely ventured to look upon his wife, as il
apprehensive that the very sight of one he hao
!, wed SO well. might cause him to waver in hi,
f rm purpose. Josephine was in state of the
r lost feverish solicitude, and yet was compel
e d TO appear calm and unconstrained. As We,
slie had only some foreboding of her impend
ing doom.
She watched. with most excited apprehen
81 on, every movement of the Emperor's eye
every intonation Of his voice, every sentiment
he. uttered. Each day some new and trivia
in dication confirmed her fesrs. Her husband
b,.came more reserved and absented himself
fr,m her society; the private access between
tn cir apartments was closed; he now seldom
entered her room, and whenever he did 20, he
in variably knocked. And yet not one word
h.d passed between Napoleon and Josephine
upon the fearful subject. Whenever Josephine
heard the sound of his approaching footsteps
the fear that he was coming with the terrible
an nouncement Of separation immediate caused
vi olent palpitaiion of the heart that it was with
II utmost difficulty she could totter across the
fl 'or even when supporting herself by leaning
against the walls. and catching at tine article.
of furniture. The months Of October and No
v.smber passed away. and while the Emperor
was discussing with his cabinet the alliance into
which he should enter. he had not summoned
courage 10 break the subject to Josephine
| The evidence is indubitable that he experienc
ed intense anguish IN view ofthe sepaFation;bu,
this did not influence his iron will to swervs
from its purpose. The grandsur of his isrns
a nd the magnitude Of his power was now such
that there was not royal family in Europe
which would not have felt honor in conferrins
upon him bride. 1t was at first contemplated
that he should marry some Princess Of the
Bourbon family. and thus add to the stability
Of his throne by conciliating the royalists o.
France. A Princess Of Saxony was proposed
Some weighty consideration urged an imme
diate alliance with the majestic empire Of Rus
aIa and some advances were made tn the cn,.,r,