Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-03-27
- 20
Gzs5ye(eef 8tferefer<.
The Divorce of Josephine.


worn and wretched Low tones of voice,
harmonizing with the mournful sceLe, filled |
the room. Napoleon, apart by himself, lean
ed against pillar, folded his arms upon his
breast, and in perfect silence appat emily lost /
in gloomy thought, remained motioness as
statue. A circular table was placed in the |
centre of the apartment and upon this there
was writing apparatus Of gold. Never did /
multitude gaze upon the scaffold, the block, |
or the guillotine with more awe than the as
sembled lords and ladies in this gorgeous sa-
loon contemplated these instruments of
more dreadful execution
At length the mournful silence was inter
rupted by the opening of a side door, and
the entrance of Josephine. The pallor of
death was upon her brow, and the submis-
sion of despair nerved her into a temporary
calmness. She was leaning upon the arm Of
Hortense, who, not possessing the fortitude
of her mother, was entirely unable to con-
troll her feelings. The sympathe ic daugh-
| ter Immediately upon entering into the room,
burst into tears, and continued sobbing most
convulsively during the whole remaining
scene. The assembly respectfully arose up-
on the entrance of Josephine, and all were
moved to tears. With that grace which ever
distinguished her movements, she advanced
silently to tho seat provided for BIER. Sit
ting down, and leaning her head upon her
hand, she listened to the reading of the act
of separation. Nothing disturbed the Sc
pulchral silence of the scene but the con-
vulsive sobbings of Hortense, blended with
the mournful tones of the readers voice.
Eugene, in the mean time, pale and trem-
bling as an aspen leaf, had taken POSITION
by the side of his mother. Silent tears were
trickling down the cheeks of the Empress.
As soon as the reading of the act of sep
aration was finished, Josephine for a moment
pressed her handkerchief to her weeping eyes,
and then rising, in clear and musical, but
tremulous tones, pronounced the oath of ac-
ceptance. She then sat down, took the pen,
and affixed her signature to the deed which
sundered the dearest hopes and the fondest
ties which human hearts can feel. Poor Eu-
gene could endure this anguish no longer
His brain reeled, his heart ceased to beat, and
he fell lifeless upon the floor. Josephine and
Hortense retired with the attendants who
bore out the insensible form of the affection
ate son and brother. 1t was fitting termin-
alton Of this mournful but sublime tragedy
But the anguish of the day was not yet
closed. Josephine, half-deliIiorS with grief
had another scene still more painful TO pass
through in taking final adieu of him who
had been her husband. She remained in her
until the hour arrived in which Napoleon
usually retired for the night The Empe
ror, restless and wretched had Just placed
himself in the bed from which he had ejec
ted his most faithful and devoted wife, anc
the attendant was upon the point of leaving
the room, when the private door of his cham
Der was slowly opened, and Josephine trem
blingly entered. Her eyes were swollen Will
grief, her hair dishevelled, and she appeare,
in all the dshabille of unutterable anguish
She tottered into the middle of the room
and approached the bed: then, irresolutel
stopping, she buried her face in heT, hands
and burst into flood of tears. A feeln
of delicacy seemed for moment to have AT
rested her steps-a consciousness that sh
had NOW right to enter the chamber
Nopoleon; but in another moment all tn
pent'up love of her heart burst forth
and forgetting everything in her anguish
she threw herself upon the bed, clasped Ns
poleons neck in her arms and exclaimine
My husband my husband!" sobbed a
though her heart was breaking. The imp,
rial spirit of Napoleon was tor the momer
entirely vanquished, and he also wept a
most convulsively. He assured Josephine
his love-of his ardent and undying love. /
every way he tried to soothe and comfort he
and for some time they remained locked i
each others embrace. The attendant wa
dismissed, and for an hour they continue
together in this last private interview. j
sepeine then, in the experience Of an inter
sity of anguish which few hearts have eve
known, parted forever from the husban
whom she had SO long, SO fondly, and S
faithfully loved.
After the Empress had retired, with de
olated heart, to her chamber of unnatur
L. i AI 80. H. IL
ment of Napoleon to remove the lights. E
found the Emperor so buried beneath the be
c.othes as to be invisible. Not word w;
uttered. The lights were removed, and tt
. unhappy monarch was left in darkness ar
silence to the dreadful companionship of b
own thoughts. The next morning the deaf
like pallor of his cheek, his sunken eye, ar
the haggard expression of his countenanc
attested that the Emperor had passed Il
night in sleeplessness and suffering.
: Great as was the wrong which Napo]eo
E thus afflicted upon the noble Josephine, ev
ry one must be sensible of a certain kind
e grandeur, which pervades this ienown,
D tragedy in the life and history of the Empo
r ro, Napoleon I.-Ab6ott.
I Ma, that nice young man, Mr. Sauftun
D is very fond of kissing
Mind your seam, Julia who told yC
| such nonsense
+ MA, had it from his own lips
-
e