The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-07-08
The Mother of Emperor William and
Napoleon I.

Well aware OF the queen beauty ana
destinations, Alexander thought she might
perhaps have some influence on the French
emperor, and persuaded her to meet him at
| Tilsit. Though Louise could never speak
of this man, the author of all her country S
misfortunes without shudder, still for
Prussia's sake, she was willing to sacrifice
her personal feelings and dignity. 1t was
a sore trial to this refined, sensitive woman
to meet as suppliant the despot who had
driven her husband from the throne, and
cast the foulest aspersions on her honor.
Louise says in her diary, "What struggles
it has cost me God only knows, for, if I
did not hate this man, 1 look upon him as
the one who has caused the misfortunes
of the king and country"
She made two visits to the naughty con-
queror. Napoleon acknowledged that the
Queen of Prussia was the most beautiful
woman he had ever seen, and he declared
whatever topic of conversation he preached,
she managed, with the most admirable
tact and delicacy, to come back to her one
theme-Prussia. She implored Napoleon
to prove himself indeed hero by showing
mercy to fallen foe, and, if he would
make no other concession, at least to restore
Magdeburg. Just before dinner Napoleon
gave her rose; she at first refused it, then
accepting it with an arch smile, she said,
eyes, but at least with Magdeburg."
81 must observe to your majesty" said
Napoleon, gruffly, "that it is I who glue,
and you only must receive"
The king was present, silent and detected
at sight of his wife's unavailing sacrifice.
AS soon as the queen retired, Napoleon,
sent for Talleyrand and the Russian minis
ter, and concluded the treaty on the basis
before laid down.
CATER all, said he, {" a fine woman and
gallantry are not to be weighed against
affairs of state.''
At the earnest request of the Russian
emperor, Louise paid second visit to
Napoleon-unsuccessfu as the first
Attn conclusion of this visit, Napoleon
was conducting her down the stairs, the
queen paused, and, pressing the emperor's
hand as he babe her farewell, said, " Is it
possible that after having had the good
fortune to be so near the hero of the age
he has not left me the satisfaction of being
able to say that he has attached me to him
for life 90
Madame" replied the emperor, "I
lament if it is so it is the effect of my evil
destiny"
The royal pair returned to Memel, their
only refuge upon Prussian soil. "Let us
be patient and steady, and wait, and God
will help u.s. said the pious king, greater
even in his humiliation and weakness than
the athestic Frederick.
In her retirement at Memel tho queen
devoted herself to tho education of her
children, six in number. Tho crown
prince Frederick William, was then twelve
years of age, and boy of much promise.
She sought to animate him with her own
patriotic spirit and love of country. "You
see me weep" she said to him after the
battle of Jena. 81 weep for the downfall
of my house and country. Recall these
unhappy hours when l am no more, and
weep such tears for me as 1 now weep for
my country. But do not be satisfied with
tears act, develope your strength. Per-
haps you may be destined to deliver your
country. Do not let yourself be carried
away by the deseneracy of the age. Be a
man! Court the fame of a general, of a
hero ; and if you can not raise your fallen
country, then seek death, as Prince Ferdi-
nand has done!
This son lived to sec his country great
among the nations of the earth !; but to the
second son, William, it has been given to
repay, with interest, the ignominy heaped
upon Prussia by Napoleon-to avenge the
wrongs of Germany's lovelies and best
beloved but most unhappy queen.
Harper's Magazine for July.
S-