The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-05-05


before her arrival, and that they bad passed
each other by different roads. Her anguish
was inexpressible. For many months she
had not received line from her idolized
husband, all communications having been
intercepted by the English cruisers. She
knew that many, jealous ol her power, had
disseminated, far and wide, false reports res
pecting her conduct. She knew that these
her enemies would surround Napoleon inns
medately upon his arrival, and take advan-
| tage of her absence 10 in1ame his mind e.
gains, her.-Lyons is 2l5 miles from Paris.
Josephine had passed over those weary
leagues of hill and dale, pressing on with
out intermission, by day and by night, a.
| lighting not Tor refreshment or repose.
Faint, exhausted, and her heart sinking with.
in her with fearful apprchensions Of the
| hopeless alienation of her husband. she re
ceived the dreadful tidings that shc had miss
| ed him. There was no resource left her
but 10 retrace her steps with the utmost
possible celebrity. Napoleon would, bowev-
er, have been one or two days in Paris be-
fore Josephine could, by any possibility, re-
enter the city. Probably, in all France,
there was not, II, that time, more unhap>
py woman than Josephine.
Secret wreicnedncss was also gnawing a;
the heart of Napoleon. Who has yet faith
omcd the mystery Of human love? lntcp-
sest love and intenscst hate can, at the same
moment, intwine their fibres in ineXtricabe
blending.-ln nothing is the will SO impo-
tent as in guiding or checking the impulses
of this omnipotenl passion Napoleon loved
Josephine with that almost supcrhuman en-
erry which characterized all the movements
OF his impetuous spirit. The stream did not
fret and ripple over shallow bed, but it
was serene in its uniathomable depths, The
world contained but Two objects for Napo-
lem, glory and Josephine glory first, and
then, closely following, the more substantial
idol.
Many of the Partisan ladies', proud of q
more exalted lineage than Josephine could
boast, were exceedingly envIous of the SUI
premacy she had attained in consequence Of
the renown of her husband. Her influence
over Napoleon was well known. Philoso-
piers, statesman, ambitious generals, all
crowded her saloons, paying her homage.
A favorable word from Josephine they knew
would pave the way for them 10 fame and
fortune. Thus Josephine, from the saloon,
of Paris, with milder radiance, reflected
back the spendor Of her husband. She, so-
licitous of securing as many friends as pos
sble, TO aid him in future emergencies, was
as diligent IN /" winning hearts," at home,
as Napoleon was in conquering province,
abroad. The gracefulness OF Josephine,
her consummate deicacy of moral appre-
citation, her exalted intellectual gifts, the
melodious tones of her winning voice, charm.
ed couriiers, philosophers and statesmen,
alike. Her saloons were ever crowded.
Her entertainments were ever embellished
by the presence of all who were illusrous
in rank and power in the metropolis. And
10 whatever circles she appeared, the eyes
of the gentlemen first sought for her. The
rcsist!ess attractions drew them. She was
peculiarly fascinating ip person and charac'
ter, and, through her renowned husband
she could dispense the most precious gifts
1t is not difficult 10 imagine the envy which
must thus have been excited Many q
naughty duchess was provoked almost be.
yond endurance, that Josephine, the unit
tied daugher OF a West Indian planter
should thus cngross the homage of Paris
while she, with her proud rank, her wit and
her beauty, was compare lively cypher.
Moreau's wife, in particular, resented The
supremacy of Josephine as a personal af'
front. She thought General Moreau enti-
tied to as much consideration as Genera
Bonaparte. BY the jealous ranking in bci
own bosom, she 6nally succeeded in rousine
her husband 10 conspire against Napoleon
and thus the hero OF lIohenlinden was ru
ihNos oOihc VI iit bioibtlo eioNCio
Napoleon we're also jealous of the para
mount influence Of Josephine, and would
gladly wrest portion Of it from her hands
Under these circumstances, in various ways
ISLANDERS had been warily insinuaied into
the ears OF Napoleon, respecting the con
duct of his wife. Conspiring enemies be-
came more and more bold. Josephine wa
repres enled as having forgotten her hus'
band, as revelling exulianl with female vanity
in general Irritation and, finally, as guilt,
of gross infdelily. Nearly all the letter.
written by Napoleon and josephine 10 eacl
, other were intercepted by the English cruis
ers. Though Napoleon did not credit thes,
charges in full, he cherished not little o
the pride, which led the Roman monarch Il
, exclaim, "C@sars wife must not be suspect
, ed"
| Napoleon was in this troubled state O
/. mind during the latter months Of his resi-
{ dence in Egypt. One day he was sitting
5 alone in his tent, which was pitched in The
$ great Arabian desert. Several months haC
passed since be had heard word from Jose
5 phine. Years might elapse ere they would
3 meet again. Junol entered, having jus
: received, through some channel Of jenlous!
= and malignity, communica lions from Parii
5 Cautiously. bu, fully, he unfolded the who'll
3 budget Of Partisan gossip. Josephine ha'
!. found, as he represented, in the love of 9th