The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-05-19
rEKzSRErgAMS Se
MistGll0ueOns.
The Death of Josephine.


Darkness and clouds surrounded the
pathway of Napoleon. In vain he strug-
gled to retrieve his fortune. The last en-.
gagement at Leipsc decided his fortunes
for the time and consigned him 10 Eba.
Napoleon was an exile, but in his re-
tirement he did not forget the only being
he ever really loved, his Josephine, He
Immediately addressed letter TO her,
breathing the same spirit towards her
that he had alwasy manifested, rather
congratulatlng himself that his head and
spirit was treer from the enormous weight
of care, and intimating hereafter that his
pen should be substitute for the sword.
1.-The world" said he, has as yet, only
seen me in profile. | shall now show
myself in full. How many things have 4
TO disclose ! how many are the men upon
whom false estimate has been placed
have heaped benefits upon millions oi
wretches! What have they done in the
end for me Yes all. except from this
nuMsber the good Eugene and YOURSELF
Adieu my dear Josephine. Be resigned,
as | am, and never forget him who never
forgot, and never will forget you. Fare.
well Josephine.
NAPOLEON.
+ Upon reading these tdings so terrible.
Josephine was overwhelmed with grief.
and Immediately answered his letter,
breathing the same spirit OF devotion to
him. who was once her husband, that he
had always characterized Der noble heart,
and entreated him to say bu, the word
and she would fly TO him. The. remain
ing circumstances connected Within her
illness and death we give in the language
OF MIR. Abbott.
A few days after this letter was written,
the Emperor Alexander, with number Of
iluStrIous guests, dined with Josephine
at MamaiSon. In the evening twilight,
she party went out upon the beautiful
lawn in front of the house for recreation.
Josephine, whose health had becor r'o eX.
ceedingIy precarious through care and
sorrow, being regardless OF herself in
devotion to her friends, took a violent cold.
The next day she was worse. Without
any definite form OF disease, she day at.
ter day grew more faint and feeble, until
it was evident that her final change was
near at hand. Eugene and Horiense, her
most affectionate children, were with her
by day and by night. They communica.
&ed to her the judgment OF her physician
that desth was near. She heard the IT,
dings with perfect composure, and called
tor clergyman to administer TO her the
last rites Of religion.
Just after this solemnity the Emperor
Alexander entered the room. Eugene
and Hotense, bathed in tears, were
kneeling at their mothers side. jose
phine beconed for the Emperor TO ap-
proach her, and said to him and her chIl.
dren. Il have always desired the happi.
ness of France. did all in my power
TO contribute to il; and can say with
truth, to all OF you now present, at my
last moments, that the first wife OF
Napoleon never caused tetr TO fow."
She called for the portrait Of the EN-
peror; she gazed upon it long and tender
iy and then, tervenlly pressed it in her
clasped hands 10 her bosom, family artic-
v ulaied The following prayer;
40 God watch over Napoleon while
he remains in the desert oftthis world
Alas though he hath committed great
faults, hath he not expaited them by great
suiferings Just God, thou hast looked
into his heart, and hast seen by how ardent
a desire for useful and durable improve
ments he was animated. Deign TO APP
prove my last petition. And may tins
image OF my husband bear me witness
that my latest wish and my latest prayer
-,, were for him and my children
Ii was the 27th OF May, 1914. Atran.
gull summers day was fading away into
cloudless. serene and beautiful evening.
= The rays OF the setting sun struggling
through-the foliage OF the open window
shown cheertuly upon thetbed where the
Empress was dying. The vespefrsongs
Of the birds which filled the grovesfol
Malmason hoaled sweelly uponetne ear
and the gentle spirit Of Josephine, lulied
to repose by these sweet anthems, suns
into It's last sleep. Gazingupon the Por'
uai, of the Emperor, she EXCLAIMED
.L'isle d. Elbe-Napoleon ! nd'died,
Alexander, as he gazed upon her life
less remains, burst into tears, and uttered
the following affecting yet just tribute o
respect to her memory She is no more
thai woman who France named the be
niicent, that angel OF goodness is no more
Those who have known Josephine cal
never forget her. She dies regretted b.
her offspring, her friends, and her con
temporaries."
Four days her body remained shrou
ded in state for its burial. During thu
time more than twenty thousand OF tn
peop,o OF France visited her beloved re