The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-07-14
The Mother Of Emperor William and
Napoleon I.

I =
ty and fascinationI, Alexander
thought she might perhaps have some
influence over the Frnch Emperor
and persuaded her to meet him al
Til3it. Though Louie could never
speak of this man, theauthor of all
her country's misfortules, without q
shudder, still, for Pru$ia's sake, she
was willing to sacrific; her own per-
sonal feelings and dignity. 1t was a
sore trial to this refined, sensitive wO-
man to meet as supplant the despot
who had driven her husband from
the throne, and cast the fonlcst as
pensions on her honor Louise says
in her diary: -"What struggles it has
cost me God only knows; for, il |
do not hate this man, / look upon
him rs the one who his caused the
misfortuncs of the King and the coun-
try"
She made two visits TO the naughty
conqucror. Napoleon acknowledg-
ed that the Queen OF Prussia was
the most beautiful woman he had
ever seen, and he declared that what
ever topic of conversation he brokch-
cd, she managed, with the most ad-
mirable tact and delicacy, to come
back TO her one thcHe-Prussia. She
implorcd Napoleon TO prove himself
indeed a hero by showing mercy TO
a fallen foe, and, if he would make
10 other concessioR mt least to re-
store Magdeburg. Just before din
ncr Napoleon gavs her a rose !: she at
first refused it, then accepting it with
an arch smile, she said. "1es, but at
least with Magdeburg."
II must observe TO your majesty
said Napoleon, grufily, ''thst it is i
who give, and you only who msst
receive"
Tho King ;. 'ts present, silent. and
detected at the sight of his wife un-
availing sacrifice.
As soon as the Queen retired, Ma
poleon sent for Talleyraud and the
Russian Minister, and concluded the
treaty on the basis before aid down.
After all, he said, "a fne woman
and gallantry are not TO be weighed
against affairs of State"
At the earnest request of the Rus
sian Emperor, Louise paid a second
visit TO Napoleon-unsuccessful as
the first.
As, at the conclusion of this visit,
Napoleon was conducting her down
the stairs, the Queen paused, and,
pressing the Emperor's hand rs he
babe her farewell, SAID, rs ii posi-
bic 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 at
tached me to him for life 2 rt.
Madame" replied the Emperor,
II lament iii is so; it is the effect OF
my evil destiny"
The royal pair returned 20 Memel,
their only refuge upon PrIIssian soil.
Let us be patient and steady, and
wait, and God will help us, said the
pious King, greater even is his hu-
initiation and weakness than the
atheistic Frederick.
In her retirement Mt Memel the
Queen devoted herself to the educa-
ton of her childlen six in number.
The Crown Prince, Frederick Will
liam, was then twelve years OF age,
and a boy of much promise. She
sought to animate him with her own
patriotic spirit and love of country.
on see me Weep" she said to him
after the battle of Jena. IL weep for
the downfall of house and country.
Recall these unhappy hours when L
am no more, and weep such tears for
me as now weep for my country.
But do not be satisfied with tears
act, develop your strength. Perhaps
yoa may be destined to deliver your
Do not let yourself be ear
ried away by the degeneracy of the
age. Be man! Court the fame of
n general, of a hero and if you can
not raise your fallen country, then
seek death, as Prince Louis Ferdi-
nand has donow
This son lived to sec his country
great among the nations of the earth
but to the second son, William, it
has been give to repay, with interest,
the ignominy heaped upon Prussia
by Napolcon-avenge the wrongs of
Germany's loveliest and best-belov-
cd but most unhappy Queen.-[ From
"Queen Louis of Prussia" by Frances
Shaw.