The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-08-10
Whole Number 1882

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have observed indications of the secret wo which
was consuming her heart. her habitua affabity
AMI grace never in public forsook her. Hortense
languid and sorrow stricken, was with her mother
Eugene was also summoned from Italy by the mel
anchoy attending the divorce. His first interview
was with his mother. From the saloon he went
directly to the cabinet of Napoleon. and inquired
OF the emperor it he had decided the question of a
divorce from his mother. Napoleon, who was
most strongly attached to Eugene, made no reply.
but pressed his hand an expression that it was
So Eugene withdrew his hand and said:
"Sire in that case permit me to withdraw from
your service.''
How" exclaimed Napoleon sadly, twill you,
Eugene my adopted son leave me?'
"Yes, sire,'' Eugene firmly replied. The
son of her who is no longer empress cannot remain
viceroy. will follow my mother into her retreat.
She must now find her consolation in her children.
Napoleon was not without feelings. Tears fill
ed his eyes. In mournful voice, tremulous with
emotion, he replied:
| Eugene, you know the stern necessity which
compels this measure. And will you forsake me +?
| Who then-shoud have SOD, the object of nv
desires. and preserver of my interests-who would
watch over the child when am absent! If die,
who will prove to him father? Who is to bring
him up! Vino is to make a man of him?"
Eugene was deeply affected, and, taking Napo-
Icons arm, they retired and conversed long time
together. The noble Josephine, ever sacrificing
her own feelings to promote the happiness of 9TH
ers, urged her son to remain the friend of Napoe-
on. 1.-The Emperor" she said, I" is your bone
factor-your more than father, to whom therefore,
you owe a boundess obedience"
The fatal day for the consummaton of the d-
vorce at length arrived. 1t the fifteenth day of
December, eighteen hundred and nine. NapoIe-
on had assembled all the kings, princes. and prn-
cesses who were members of the Tuileries. Ev-
cry individual present oppressed with the mel
ancholy grandeur of the occasion. Napoleon thus
| addressed them:
1.-The political interests Of my monarchy, the
wishes of my people, which have constantly guild
ed my actions. require that should transmit to an
heir inheriting my love for the people, the throne
on which Providence has placed me. For many
years have lost all hopes of having any children
by my beloved spouse, the Empress Josephine.-
1t is this consideration which induces me to sacri-
ce the sweetest affections of my heart to consult
only the good of my subjects, and desire the dsso-
luiun of our marriage. Arrived at the age of forty
Years. may indulge reasonable hope of living long
enough to rear, in the spirit of my own thoughts
and disposition, the children with which it NAV
please Providence to blese me. God knows wha
such determination has cost my heart; but there
is no sacrifice which is above my courage when il
Is proved TO be the interest of France Far from
having any cause of complaint, have nothing to
say, but in praise of the attachment and tenderness
OF my beloved wife. She has embeIlished fifteen
years of my life, and the remembrance of them will
be forever engraven on my heart. She was crown
ed by my hand. She shall retain always the rank
and title of Empress. Above all, let her never
doubt my feelings, or regard me but as her bes
and dearest friend.'
Josephine, her eyes filled with tears with fal.
tering voice, replied:
81 responded with all the sentiments of the
Emperor, in consenting to the dissolution of mar
riage which henceforth is an obstacle to the hap
pness of France, by depriving it of the blessing o
being one day governed by the defendants of tha
great man, evidently raised up Providence to eff
face the evils of terrible revolution and TO res
tore the altar, the throne, and social order. Bu
his marriage WILL in no respect change the senti
ments of my heart. The Emperor will ever fine
in me his best friend. know what this act com
maDded by policy and exalted interests, has cos
his heart; but we both glory in the sacrifices we
make for the good Four country. 1 feel elevated
in giving the greatest proof of attachment and de
votion that was ever given upon earth"
Such were the sentiments which were express
ed in public. But in private Josephine surrender
ed herself to unrestrained anguish. No lansuag,
can depict the intensity of her wo. For six months
she wept so incessantly that her eyes were near
y blinded with grief. Upon the ensuing day tn,
council were again assembled in the grand saloon
to witness the legal consumaton of the divorce.
The Emperor entered the room dressed in th,
imposing robes of state and pad, careworn ant
wretched. Low tones of voice, harmonizing will
the mournfu! scene, filled the room. Napoleon
apart by himse If leaned against pillar folded hi
arms upon his breast and in perfect silence, ap
parently lost in gloomy thought, remained motion
less as statue. A circular table placed il
the centre of the apartment, and upon this there
, was writing apparatus of gold. vacant arm
, chair stood before the table. Never did a multi
tude gaze upon the scaffod. the block or the gull
otine, with awe than the assemled lord
and ladies in this gorgeous saloon contemplatet
these instruments of more dreadful execution.
At length the mournful silence was interrupte
, by the opening of side door, and the entrance O
Josephine. The paor of death was on her broy
4 and the submission of despair nerved her into
i temporary calmness. She was leaning on tn
arm of Hortense, who, not possessing the forti
tude of her mother, entirely unable to contro
her feelings; but Immediately upon entering th
room burst into tears, and continued sobbing mos
convulsivey. The whole assembly rose upon thu
entrance of Josephine; all were moved to tears
With that grace which ever distinguished he'
movements, she advanced silently to the seat pro
: vided for her. Sitting down, and leaning he
3 70, ehead upon her hand she listened to the read
: ing of the act of separation. Nothing disturbed
D the silence of the scene but the sobbing of Hor
tense, blending with the mournful tones of th'