Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-23
THE MOTHER OF NAPOLEONI.

his parents. They had loved and been be-
trothed when she was only fourteen years o
age; but their families wers active potica
antagonists, and the marriage was deferred for
about two years, when the Paoli party, to which
Carlo belonged, became absolute masters OF
Corsica, and active strife ceased. They were
welded 10 l776 by the Archbishop. and receiv.
ed the blessing OF her parents at the nuptials
Count Marbeut, the oonqueror, was made
his family were highest on bis lis, OF personal
friends Ten years after that conques. the
Corsican mobiles sent Carlo to Paris as their
representative in the popular branch OF the
Imperial Government OF France. Leaving
Letitia in charge Of their growing family, he
took Joseph and Napoleon with him.
They crossed the sea to Leghorn and jour
neyed to Florence, where Carlo received from
the Grand Duke, Leopold, letter 10 his SIS
ter, Marie Antoinette, the Queen Of France.
She made Carlo welcome guest at Versailles,
when Napoleon, then ten years DID, first look
ed upon that gorgeous palace of which be was
aterward the master Carlo left Joseph in a
school at Autun, and through the influence Of
Governor Marteut he was allowed to place
Napoleon 10 the Military Academy at Brienne,
where the aiterWard eminent Pitchegrue was
one of bis Instructors.
Six years later heavy weight of misfortune
fell upon Lettia. Carlo Was attacked by the
disease which terminated the life of his most
ilustrio,s SOD, at 81. Helena. thirty years after
ward He went alone to Montpelier, 10 France,
for advice and remedies, and there be died,
1855. under the hospitable root OF girlhood
companion of Leliiis, the mother of the cele-
bIatea Marshal Junot.
When Carlo died Letria was not thirty FIVE
years OF sg", and had been the mother OF thir
teen children. Five soDs and three daughters
we're yet lviEg-a race Of monarchs who occu-
pied thrones and lost them during one OF the
most wonderful historical dramas, enacted 10
the space OF ten years. the world has ever known.
She SAY them rise and fall while her tresses we're
yes dark, and the beauty OF her youth YET
doomed on her cheeks and spanked in her
eyes. Her sops we're Giuseppe, or Joseph.
who vas made King of Naples 10 1906 and
Of Spain in 1908; Napoleon, who made him
self Emperor OF the French and disposer OF
thrones 10 1905; Lucisna, or Lucien. rho
alone refused crown. but accepted prin-
cipaty. with lis title. from the Pope in
1903; Luigi, or Louis. made King of Hol
in 1909; and Giro!ania, or Jerome, who was
made King of WestphaIia in 1907, when
that province was erected into kingdom.
The daughters were Maria Anna Eliza, who
was created sovereign OF Tuscany, with the IL
tie of Grand Duchess. in 1903; Carotta, after.
ward Marie Pauline, who,as the wife OF Prince
Borghese, became the most ilIustrious Italian
princess OF her time and Caroline Maria An
nuuciado, the wife Of Murat, who became
Queen OF Naples 10 1903.
The young widow of Ajaccio had no reason
to dream, 10 widest fancy, OF the speDdors
that awaited herself and family. The latter
we're mostly little children; Jerome, the young
est, an infant in her arms. She was lett with
scanty means for their support and education
TO these she devoted all her energies with
marvellous success. Strength, We have ooserV.
ed, was the prominent feature in her character,
and this was displayed in the hour OF need.
Napoleon once said, ''she had the head OF u
man Oh the shoulders of a woman. Losses,
privations, fatigue, bad no effect upon her !;
she endured all, braved ALL" These came at
times thick and fast. Joseph, ever kind ard
rood, helped bis mother with all bis might as
he grew toward manhood while Napoleon, a
rather dull student in outward expression, was
preparing in the military school at Paris, Tor
that wonderful career which enabled him, 10y
imperis' decree, to make Sovereigns OF his
brothers az sisters, and to confer upon his
mother, at the sge Of fifty years, the lofty title
of Madame Mere, equivalent to that OF En-
press Mother with al income CT two hundred
thousand dollars u year.
The tirpo yphe