Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1857-01-31
The Napoleon Dynasty.

=
History never recorded an act that excl
ted iuster or more intense rebuke by al
classes and kingdoms, than the Reputation
|of the worthy and lovely Josephine by Ma
|poleon, to marry Marie Louisa, in order to
obtain an heir to the throne Of France
Plaudits Of millions followed his great deed.
and honors uncounted clustered along the
pathway Of his career, but an act SO inter
Ity cruel, will always be stain upon bis
memory. He admired Truth, but he A
|DoRED Royalty. He loved Josephine pas
|sionately-but ambition still more. The
following sketch, from book of memoirs
published long ago, shows Josephine in the
light of Cassandra-his star DID pale, after
he married the Austrian. Read this; we
never say anything more pathetic.
Josephine said he. turning his head
from her, it is not /, it is France that Go
mands it,
Are you sure Of that my lord,' said bis
wife, have you probed your heart to the
bottom! Is it not ambition rather, which
prompts you to seek reasons for repudia-
| ting me for think not I misunderstood
you--are you SURE it is the love OF
Franceg
Every word she spoke touched him to
the quick, and rising hastily, he replied
-'Madame,--I have my reasons, SO now
good evening"
Sire, sire,' said she, I'VE must not part in
anger. | submit cheefully. 1t is not my
nature to oppose your will; I love you Ma
poleon, though | am to leave your throne
and your side. If reyerses come, ! vii
lay down my life to comfort you; | vii
pray for you morning and night in hops
that YOU will sometime think of me-
| Hardened as he was, Napoleon had
loved his wife dearly and long, and he1
submission to his iron mandate, her calm
but mournful dignity land her love, earnest
and mistaken, moved even him; and for
moment affection struggled with ambition
He turned once more to embrace her; bu
in moment her face and form had become
changed-her eyes lit up with an almos
insanity, and her whole person seemed in.
spired. He felt himself in the presence Q
superior being. She led him to the win
dow and threw it open! A thin mist hung
upon the Seine, and faint grey light
CLEANED across the gardens OF the Tullier
lies. All around was calm and silent; a
mong the stars that were beaming upor
them was one brighter than the rest; she
pointed to it. 'Bonaparte,' said she, 'tha
star is mine; to THAT and not to yours wa
the promise of an empire; through me ane
lmy destiny you have risen; part from M
and you fall The spirit Of her who fore
saw my rise to royalty even now. tolls MT
that your fate hangs on mine. Belive mt
or not Napoleon,-if we henceforth wall
lassunder, you will leave no empire behln'
you, and die yourself in shame and sorrow
with broken spirit"
I How strangely are these predictions ver
lifted Louis Napoleon, the present Emper
or, ia son OF Hortense and Bonaparte'
brother Louis, king and queen Of Holland
Napoleon lie grand set aside his own bes
friend and counselor, Josephine, to obtair
an heir to the throne Of France-and BY
his treachery he lost it +! He wooed ane
welded one of the Austrian nobility, ant
she presented him with son. This wa
the climax of his power. HenceforwaTt
his decline was steady but certain. Hi
star paled and sunk he became an out
cast among nations; he saw his throne fill
ed, and his power welded by usurper.-
True to Josephine's prophesy, che left NJ
empire behind him." for his sons like him
SELF died in exile. Who has inherited hi
name, his fame, his "manifest destiny 2
One of the great -Napoleon's pedigree p
No; none Of Bonaparte's royal blood course
in the veines of the present "emperor of al
French ;"he is none but Louis,-the chile
Of Hortense, and grandson Of Josephine
| Napoleon's discarded wife. What les
son to the worlds monarchs!