Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-07-13
Selett .9flliisfella11p.
DIVORCE OF JOSEPHINE.
By RET. JOHN 8. C: ABBOTT.

By RET. JOHN 8. C. ABBOTT.
Napoleon had become very strongly at
tached to his little grandchild, the son Of Hor-
tense, and of his brother, Louis, the King of
Holland. The boy was extremely beautiful,
and developed all those noble and spirited
traits of character which delighted the Em.
peror. Napoleon had apparently determined
to make this young Prince his heir. This
was so generally the understanding both in
France and in Holland, that Josephine was
quite at ease, and serene days again dawned
upon her heart.
Early in the spring of 1907, this child, upon
whom such destines were depending, then five
years of age, was seized suddenly and violent.
ly with the Group, and in few hours died.
The blow fell upon the heart of Josephine
with most appalling power. Deep as was her
grief at the loss of the child, she was over
whelmed with uncomfortable anguish in view
of those fearful consequences which she shud.
dered to contemplate. She knew that Napo.
leon loved her fondly. But she also knew the
strength Of his ambition, and that he would
make any sacrifice of his affections, which, in
his view, would subserve the interests of his
power and his glory. For three days she shut
herself up in her rcom, and was continually
bathed in tears.
The sad intelligence was conveyed to Nape,
leon, when he was far from home, in the
midst of the Prussian campaign. He had
been observation-disclosures miraculously ricto-
rious-oyer his enemies. He had gained ac-
cessions of power, such as in the widest
dreams of youth he had hardly imagined.
All opposition to his sway was now apparent
ly crushed. Napoleon had become the Crea-
tor of Kings, and the proudest monarchs Of
Europe were constrained to do his bidding.
1t was in al hour of eXultation that the mourn
ful tidings reached him. He sat down in
silence, buried his face in his hands, and for a
long time seemed lost in the most painful
musings, He was heard mournfully and
anxiousfy to repeat to himself, again and
again. "To whom shall I leave all this p
The struggle in his mind between his love for
Josephine, and his ambitious desire to found
new dynasty, and to transmit his name and
fame to all postarity, was fearful. 1t was
manifest in his pallid check, in his restless
eye, in the loss of appetite and Of sleep. But
the stern will Of Bonaparte was unrelentinrg
in its purposes. With an energy, which the
world has never seen surpassed, he had cho.
sen his part. 1t was the purpose Of his soul
the lofty purpose before which everything
had to bend-to acquire the glory of making
France the most illustrious, powerful and hap
py nation earth had ever seen. For this he
was ready to sacrifice comfort, ease, and his
sense of right. For this he was ready to sun
der the strongest ties of affection.
Josephine knew Napoleon. She knew the
power Of his ambition. With h,almost insup-
portable anguish, she wept over the death Of
this child, upon whose destinies her own
seemed to be so fearfully blended, and, with a
trembling heart, she awaited her husbands
return. Mysterious hints began to fill the
journals of the contemplated divorce, and of
the alliance of Napoleon with various princes
ses of foreign courts. In October, 1909,
Napoleon returned from Vienna. He greeted
Josephine with the greatest kindness, but she
scon perceived that his mind was i'll at ease,
and that he was pondering the dreadful ques-
ton. He appeared sad and embarrassed tie
had frequent private interviews with his min
listers. A general feeling of constraint perva-
ded the court. Napoleon scarcely ventured
to look upon his wife, as if apprehensivc that
the very sight of one he had loved so well,
might cause him to waver his firm purpose.
Josephine was in state Of the most teverish
solicitude, and yet was compelled to appear
calm and unconstrained. As she had only
some forebodings of her impending doom.
She watched, with most excited apprehension,
every movement Of the Emperor's eye, every
intonation Of his voice, every sentiment he ut
tered. Each day some new and trivial indl.
cation confirmed her fears. Her husband
became more reserved absented himself from
her society; the private access between their
apartments was closed he now seldom en-
tered her room, and whenever he did so he
invariably knocked. And yet not one word
was passed between him and Josephine upon
the fearful subject. Whenever Josephine
heard the sound of his approaching footsteps
the fear that he was coming with the terrible
announcement of separation, Immediately
caused such violent palpitation Of the heart,
that it was with the utmost difficulty that she
could totter across the floor, even when sup
porting herself by leaning against the walls,
and catching at the articles Of furniture.
The months Of October and November pass.
ed away, and while the Emperor was discuss,
ing with his cabinet the alliance into which he
should enter, he had not summoned courage
to break tn, subject to Josephine. The evi.
tense anguish in view of the separation but
this did not influence his iron will to swerre
from its purpose. The grandeur of his fame,
and the magnitude of his power was now such,
that there was not royal family in Europe
which would not have felt honoured in confer.
ring upon him bride. It was at first con.
templated that he should marry some princess
of the Bourbon family, and thus add to the
stability Of his throne, BY conciliating to the
royalists of France. a princess Of Saxony
was proposed. Some weigbty considerations
urged an alliance wi h the majestic empire Of
Russia, and some advances we're made to the
court of St. Petersburg, having in view Sis
ter Of tho Emperor Alexander. 1t was at
length decided that proposals should be made
to the court Of Vienna, for Maria Louise,
daughter of the Emperor Of Austria.
At last the fatal day arrived for the an,
nouncement to Josephine. 1t was the last
day of November, 1909. The Emperor and
Empress dined at Fontainbleu alone. She
seems to have had prcsentiment that her
doom was sealed, for all that day she had been
in her retired apartment weeping bitterly.
As the dinner hour approached, she bathcd
her swollen eyes, and tried to regain compo.
sure. They sat down at the table in silence.
Napoleon did not speak. Josephine could
not trust her voice to utter q word. Neither
of them even feigned to eat. Course after
course was brought in and removed untouch-
ed. A mortal paleness revealed the anguish
of each heart. Napoleon, in his embarrass.
ment, mechanically, and apparently uncon-
sciously kept striking the edge of his glass
with his knife, while lost in thought. A more
melancholy meal was probably never wit
messed. The attendants around the table
caught the infection, and gazed in motionlesS
silence. At last the ceremony Of dinner was
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