The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-06-30
THE MOTHER OF EMPEROR WILLIAM
AND NAPOLEON 1.

Well aware of the queens beau
ty and destinations, Alexander
thought she might perhaps have
some influence over the French empe-
ror, and persuaded her to meet him at
Tilsit. Though Louise could never
speak of this man, the author of all her
country's misfortunes, with out q shud-
der, still, for Prussia's sake, she was
willing to sacrifice her own personal
feelings and dignity. It was a sore tri-
al to this refined, sensitive woman to
meet as suppliant the despot who had
driven her husband from the throne,
and cast the foulest asperasions on her
honor. Louise says in her diary, "What
struggles it has cost me God only
knows for, if / do not hate this man,
look upon him as the one who has caus-
ed the misfortunes of the king and
country"
She made two visits to the naughty
conqueror. Napoleon acknowledged
that the Queen of Prussia was the
most beautiful woman he had ever seen,
and he declared that whatever topic of
conversation he preached, she managed,
| with the most admirable tact and del
lcacy, 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 re-
store Magdeburg. Just before dinner
Napoleon gave her rose; she at first
refused 1t, then accepting it with an
arch smile. she said, HYes, but at least
| with Magdeburg."
81 must observe to your majesty
said Napoleon, gruffiy, Hthat it is !
who give, and You only who must re-
ceive.n
The king was present, silent and
detected at the sight of his wife's una
vailing sacrifice.
AS soon as the queen retired, Napo.
leon sent for TalleyTand and the Rus
sian minister, and concluded the treaty
on the basis before laid down.
"After all, = said he, ga fine woman
and gallantry are not to be weighed
against affairs of state"
At the earnest request of the Russian
emperor, Louise paid q secoud visit to
Napoleon-unsuccessful as the first.
As, at the conclusion of this visit, Ma
poieOn was conducting her down stairs
the queen paused, and, pressing the
emperor's hand IS he babe her farewell
| said, Is 1t possible that after having
had the good-fortune to be 90 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 ?o
/
lament If . is so; it is the effect Of my
evil destiny"
The royal pair returned to Memel.
their only refuge upon Prassian soil.
Diet us be patient and steady, and wait,
and God will help as" said the pious
king, greater even in his humiliation
and weakness than the atheistic Fred.
| rick.
/ In her retirement at MemeI the queen
devoted herself to the education OF her
children, six In number. The crown
prince, friedrich William, was then
twelve years of age, and boy of muck
promise. She sought to animate hin
with her own patriotic spirit and hove
of country. sYou see me weep.. a.
said to him after the battle Of Jena. q
weep for the downfall Of nay house and
lcountry. Recall these unhappy hours
when i am no more. and weep sucf
tears for me - ! now weep for nv
country. Bnt do not be satisfied viii
tears act develop your strength. Per.
hsps yon may be destined TO deliye.
fyour country. Do not let yourself bs
learned away by the degeneracy of ths
age. Be Ds0al Court the fame of !
general, Of hero; and If You can no.
raise your fallen country, then seek
death, as Prince Louis Ferdinand hal
donei"
This son lived to see his couutrs
great among the nations of the earth
but to the second son, William, It hal
been given to repay, with interest, thu
ignomIny heaped upon Prussia by Ma
pOleon- TO sVenge the wrongs of Ser.
many,s loviiest and best-beI0Yed but
most unhappy qneen.--EEozs stQueez
LOaiss Of Pssssia," 6u Frances Shan
] en- Hdypes's Angnsfar for july.