The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-08-16

and Eliza were old enough to go to
school in France; but her four young
est children were still at home.
Almost all the life of Madame Bona
parte was Il storm. When the French
Revolution was raging, the people of
Corsica, instigated by the venerable
Paoli, declared against the republic
of Rohespierre; and Ajaccio was the
only town on the island which refused
TO lower the French colors The Boz
rapartes sided with the republic
When Paoli and his followers marched
on Ajaccio the elder sons of the fami-
ly were absent from the island; but
the mother proved herself equal to
the OCCASION Reused from her slum-
bers at midnight, She found her room
filed with armed men from the noun
tains of Corsica, WHO had come to
warn her Of the approach of the pat
riot army. and to convey her to the
mountains
"Nlakc haste, Siqnora Letzia," ox-
claimed the chief of the band; "Paoli's
men are close on us. There is not
moment to lose; but here | am with
my men We viii save You or perish.
The mother and her children rose
from their beds, and were soon on the
march by daybroak they had reach
cd'a place of safety in the mountains,
which commanded a view Of the ocean
and of the city they had left. In the
course 81 the day smoke was seen ris-
ing in dense columns from the town.
is it your house that is on fire, -
said one of the mounta,neers to Mad
amo Bonaparte.
"Ab, never mind, she gaily replied,
1--WE will build it up again much better.
Nive In France -
From a mountain height, two days
after, a French frigate was deserted;
and the Bonapartes FASTENED to the
shore and went ON board of her, where
10 their inexpressible relief, they found
Joseph and Napoleon. The frigate
changed her course, and landed the
family Of exiles at Mdrseilles, destitute
of resources. but rich in health, and in
the indomitable charge Of the mother.
Joseph and Napoleon had only the
pay Of lieutenants, which was barely
sufficient for their own support, and
the exlles were so poor that they were
glad to receive the rations Of bread
distributed by the City Government to
the Corsican refugees The Able
Fosch, the brother of Madame Bona
parte, whom Napoleon afterwards
made a Cardinal, had accompanied
the family from Corsica.
As no people we're so abhorred by
the Republicans as priests, the able
was compelled to conceal his priesty
gorb, and to earn his livelihood as a
Keeper o military stores. Such was
the conditions. in 1868, of family
which, six years later, gave a chief to
France. Even then, while Madame
Bonaparte was receiving aims from the
Corporation of Marsellles Napoleon
WAS mt Toulon where be gave the first
proofs of his military genius, and where
he performed the deeds which led to
his promotions
When Napoleon vas appointed to
command the army of Italy, he assign
ed to his mother portion of his pay,
sufficient for her decent maintenance.
and thus raised her at once from indi-
gence to dignity and comfort Soon
after this she removed with her little
children, to Paris; and there she was
residing, il the family Of her son Jo-
-eph, when Napoleon seized the su-
preme authority
Her bearing on that decisive day,
which she knew must either bring her
son to the seallold or raise him to u
throne, has been described by lady
who was with her during the critical
homs:
"She appeared calm, though far
from easy; for her extreme paleness,
and the conyulsiye movements she
made whenever an unexpected noise
met her car, gave her features a ghast-
~ air In these moments she appear
ed to me truly like the mother Of the
Gracchi. She had three sons under
the stroke Of fate, one of whom would
probably receive the blow, even if the
others escaped This she felt most
forcibly. Ny mother and myself re-
manned with her part of that tanta-
lizing day, and only left her on the re-
storation of her confidence by Lucien's
messengers, who were frequently sent
to class her disquiet"
, For our part, we do not believe that
tins strong and far seeing woman ever
: fully believed in the fortunes of her
/ brilliant SON When Napoleon was
Z crowned Emperor he settled upon her
: an income of 100000 year, assigned
her sumptuous palace in Paris, gave
{ her n separate Court and bestowed
! upon her the title of Madame Mere
But she was not ut all inclined tc
maintain costly establishment. She
: still practiced the economical habits
which adversely had taught her, and
= endeayored to form n store for the re-
| lief of her children, if ever again they
should need her assistance.
+ No one knows son us wise moth
4 er knows him. As if foreseeing his
: downfall she was always preparing fol
j the evil day; end, as we all know, he
= representations proved to be correct
} In 1911, when the Allies banished Ma
S poeon to Elba, She was allowed to re
tain her title and part of her income
| IL, 600 a wear. Before leaving pari