Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-04
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Napoleon's Private Life.

A'i0 'i Napoleon" work published many
years ago, we find the following pleasant and
interesting I picture of the domestic life of the
emperor and his consort, Maria Louisa. after
the birth of her unfortunate son. the duke of
Reichtadt
Ine emperor appeared happy. He was
anaoie in his family, and affectionate to the en-
press If he found her looking serious he
amused her with lively talk, and disconnected
ner gravity by hearty embrace but in public
he treated her with great respect, and dignity
not Inconsistent with polished familiarity.
The emperor wished her to learn to ride on
horseback. Her first lessons were taken in the
riding school at st Cloud. He walked by her
side holding her by the hand, while the groom
held the bridal Of her horse he thus calmed
her fears and encouraged her. When her skill
did honor to her teacher, the lessons were con-
tlnued in private alley of the park. The en-
peror, when he had moments leasure after
breakfast, ordered the horses, mounted himself.
IN his silk stockings and shoes, and cantered by
the empress's side. He urged her horse and
made him gallop laughing heartily at her cries,
by having servants stationed all along the path,
ready to stop the horse and prevent fall
" Meanwhile the King of Rome grew in
strength and beauty under the watchful eve of
Madame de Montesquiou, who loved him as her
own child dc was carried every morning to
his mother, who kept him till it was time to
dress During the day. in the intervals between
her lessons in music and drawing, she went to
see him in his apartment and sat by him at her
needle work Sometimes, followed by the
nurse who carried the child, she took him to
his father while be was busy. The entry to his
cabinet was interdlcted to every body and the
nurse could not go in. The emperor used to
ask Maria Louisa to bring in the child herself,
but she seemed so much afraid of her own
awkwardness in taking him from the nurse, that
the emperor hastened to take him from her.
and carried him off covirng him with kisses.
That cabinet, which saw the origin of so many
mighty plans, 80 many vast and generous
schemes OF administration, was also witness to
etfusions to fathers tenderness How often
have seen the emperor keeping his son by him,
as if impatient to teach him the art of gov
erning Whether seated by the chimney on
his tavorite sofa, he was engaged in reading an
important document, or whether he went to
his bureau to sign dispatch, every word of
which required to be weighed, his son seated on
his knees, or pressed to his breast, was never a
moment away from him. Sometimes, throwing.
aside the thoughts which occupied his mind, he
would lie down on the floor beside this beloved
son, playing with him like another child. at
tentive to every thing that would please or
amuse him.
"The emperor lhad sort of apparatus for
trying military maneuvres it consisted of
pieces of wood fashioned to represent battal-
lions, regiments, and divisions. When he
wanted to try some new combinations of troops.
or some new evolution, he used to arrange the
pieces on the carpet. While he was seriously
occupied with the disposition of these pieces,
working out some skillful maneuvre which
might ensure the success of battle, the child.
lying at his side, would often overthrow his
troops, and put into confusion his order of bat
tie, perhaps at the most critical moment. But
the emperor would recommence arranging his
men with the utmost good humor.
" The emperor breakfasted alone. Madame
de Mostesquieu every morning took the boy to
his fathers breakfast table. He took him on
his knee and amused himself with giving him
morsels to eat, and putting the glass to his lips.
One day he offered him bit of something he
had on his plate, and when the child put for
ward his mouth to take it, drew it back. He
wished tocontinue this game, but at the second
trial, the child turned away his head; his father
then offered him the morsel in earnest. but the
boy obstinately refused it, As the emperor
looked surprised, Madame de Montesquieu said
that the child did not like to be deceived he
had pride, she said, and feeling. Pride and
feeling Napoleon repeated, that is we'll
that is what like And, delighted to find
these qualities in his son, he fondly kissed
him.