Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-18
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NUMBER 2l
SELECT nv A.RIETY.
-Jo.ephinc after her Diyorce

SELEC1NN A-ISl.EIY.
Josephinc after her Divorce
The next morning at eleven the divorced En-.
press was to leave the palace of the Tuileres, to
return 10 it no more. From the highestto the low
est member of the household, all assembled to wit
ness the departure of her, who, in the fine lam
guage of one of their number carried with her into
exile the hearts of all who had had access to her
presence. Leaning on the arm Of one of her Ia
dies, and so deeply yelled that her conntenance
could not be seen, she descended the stairway in
silence too profound to last; for she had taken but
simultaneous burst of grief. But she spoke not
The only response she made to this touching Ian
guage of grief from those who loved her, was the
shudder Of the last pang she was ever feel to the
imperial halls where she had iembellished the en-
pire OF Napoleon. She sank fainting into close
carTiage, and the cater of the feet of six horses
echoed coldy through the courtyard, as they bone
away from the ancient palace the fairest the bright
est and the best woman that had ever set upon the
throne of France. -i.,tl ttqi,;a3 i,sI-5-1
Several months Josephine had now passed in SOL
itude and grief. Whatever Napoleon could to
mitigate the harshness of this severe stroke has
been done. A pension Of six hundred thousand
dollars year was settled on her for life, land
prompty paid till Napoleon's fall 5rhe magnif-
cent villa of Malmaison, with all its grounds and
treasures OF art and beauty, with the ancient pal
ace OF Navarro, were presented to her-and her III
tie OF Empress was confirmed. She received fre-
AuSAt 1SlbS--d1uOSL VI OudScc-IOuiElQEI
bers Of the imperial court; for it was universally
understood that Napoleon desired every token; of
respect should be shown to his former wife. Her
villa presented more animated and brilliant spec
tacle than even while Napoleon was its masters
1t was frequented by the most lustrous statesmen,
scholars, artists, and men of taste of the Empire
She was universally yirespected, admired and be1o-
we'd, and her fall from the throne seemed to cloth
her with new splendor a sin a, tI5ls, M CID
She still cherished her affection for Napoleon,
and lnct mn n her
pect for him. s'The apartment he had occupied
remained exactly as he had left it; she would not
suffer even chair to be moved, and, indeed, very
rarely permitted any to enter, keeping the key
herself and busting the asticles with rownhands
On the table was volume of history, with the
page turned down where he had finished reading,
beside it lay apen, with ink dried on the point,
and q map of the world, nwhich he was accusr
toned to point out his plans to those in his contir
dehce, and which still shaved on its surface many
inarksof his impatience. These Josephine wonlu
not allow to be touched OH no account By the
wall stood Napoleons camp bed, withoutcurtains;
and above continued to hang such. of his AIMS as
he had placed there. OndifTerent pieces of fuInir
tlre were flung various portions Of apparel just as
he had used them last; for, among his other extra
ordinary ways, he had practice, on retiringto rest
of fnging rather than taking of his clothes, cast
ing down coat here, vest there usually pitching
his watch into the bed, and his hat and shoes into
the farthest corner of the apartment. Eih
Josephine's own bed chamber, to which she re-
moved after the divorce, was extremely simple
draped only with white muslin, its sole ornament
being the gold toletservice already dymentoned, and
which with noble generosity, she refused tocon-
slider as private property, till Napoleon sent it af.
ter her, together with many other yaluables lett
behind in like manner" .3;...,5,+
Indevoting herself to the adornment Of the VII
la Malmaison, Josephine displayed the, most re-
fined and artistic taste. In letter oflnstruction
to her superintendent, she tells him that the first
apartment of the suite, which was to serve for an
fante-room, must hepainted in light green with q
border Of lilacs. nthe pannels were to be placed
fine engravings from Bible scenes and under suchi
portrait of the distinguished Generals ofthe ReF.
oution Inthe centre of the room there was al
ways to be large flower stand filled with fresh
flowers in their season, and in each angle the bust
of French philosopher. She. paricularly men
mentions that Rousseau was to stand between the
two windows where the vines and foliage could
play around his head, forming a natural crown
worthy of the author of Emile. Her private cab
met was to be in light blue, with border OF ran
unculus and polyanthus. Ten large engravingS
from the gallery of the Muses., and twenty medal
lions filled up the panels. The easements were
painted white and green, with double hllets OF
gold. Unite elegance to variety, but no study
no profusion. i confdeto you the care of rendering
this cherished spot an agreeable retreat, where i
may meditate-sleep, perhaps, but 4ottenest read;
which says sufficient to remind you oof the thre,p
hundred volumes Of my small edition, .,,ys ..e.
The first million of francs, which Napoleon al
lowed Josephine from his own purse, were ex-
pended in restoring the castle the ancient kings
Of Navarro, which had long been NEGLECTED and
nearly demolished in the revolution. Its immense
parks had once been embellshed: byiofowing
streams and cleaning lakes; but the water courses
had ceased to flow and the lakes had becoms
| stagnant marshes. But Josephine soon made 1t
wear a new aspect; the beds of the streams were
cleared out and covered with white gravel, the
lakes were excavated and filled with fish, the old
forest roads were repaired and fertility and beauty
once more embellished this ancient retreat OF the
French ,monarchs Indthese delightful engage
ments, she was aided by the tastes, the most
distinguished artists in France, and in her public
improvement Napoleon himself aided BY his,
practical suggestions. Thus, gradually, the heavy
her heavens, begpn to break away and was dis.
solved BY the balmy sunshine; and her palace soon
wore the aspect Of hosptable, intellectual and
artistic refinement .AtEHa "tti