Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-03-12
Selected a}gistellaap,
JOSEPHINE.

We do not know Of any event in his
tory that is SO affecting or so full Of pa
thos as the divorce Of the Empress los
ephine
The Emperor Napoleon |. (the great
Eniperor) weary of incessant wars,
thought that if he could form q marriage
alliance with some of the royal families
Of Europe, he might put an end to these
conflicts aud perpctuate the order Of things
established in France For long time
he dreaded to speak upon the subject to
Josephine, who had become aware of her
impending doom, and was overwhelmed
with grief. At last the fatal hour came
when the Emperor was to make the
dreaded announcement to the Empress.
It was at the palace Of Fontanbleau, the
last day Of November, 1909. Dark
clouds obscured the sky, and freezing
wintry wind moaned through the towers
Of the castle The Emperor and En-
press dined alone. Neither had the
heart to speak word AS the atten-
dants retired at the close Of the repast,
at which it is said that neither could
eat mouthful, the Emperor, pale and
trembling, took the hand Of Josephine,
and said:
Ny own dear Josephine, you know
how | have loved you. 1t is to yon
alone that | owe the few moments Of hap-
piness have known in the world. Jos
ephine, my destiny is stronger than my
will. Ny dearest affections must yield
to the welfare Of France"
The dreadful blow prostrated the EN-
press, and she fell fainting to the floor.
The Count de Beaumont was called. and
by the aid of the Emperor, Josephine
was borne, apparently lifeless, to her
apartment. Queen Hortense Cher daugh-
ter) was summoned. She said rcproach-
fully to the Emperor:
My mother will descend from the
throne as she assembled it, in obedience
to your will. Her children content to
renounce grandcurs which have not made
them happy, will gladly 60 and devote
their lives to comforting the best and
and most aifectionate of mothers"
The Emperor sat down and wept Bit
terly. Then raising his eyes, flooded
with tears. he said to Hortensc, whom
he loved with parental fondness:
" Do not leave me, Hortense. Stay
by me with Eugene. Help me to con-
sole your mother, and render her calm,
resigned and even happy, in remaining
my friend while she ceases to be my
wife,
Eugene (Josephine's SOM soon came
from Italy. He Immediately repaired to
his mothers apartment, and, clasping
her in bis arms, they wept in mutual an
guish. He then entered the cabinet Of
the Emperor, and recoiing from the
cordial embrace, with which the Empe-
ror would have greeted him, said:
. Sire, permit me to withdraw from
your service"
I" Whatp' said the Emperor, sadly,
and with deep emotion, will you, my
adopted son, forsake me ?"
& Yes, SIRE Eugene firmly replied.
1.-The son Of her who is no longer En-
press cannot remain Viceroy Of Italy. |
will follow my mother into her retreat
She must lind her consolation IN her
children"
The Emperor was deeply moved.
Tears filed bis eyes
+" You know" said be, the stern
necessity which compels this measure.
Win you forsakc me Who, then,
should | have son-the object Of my
desires--who will watch over the child
when am absent. IF die, who will
prove to him father r
They both then retired to the garden,
and for long time walked up and down
its avenues, engaged 10 earnest CONVEX
sation. The noble Josephine, with a
mothers love, could not forget the in
terests of her children. She urged Eu-
gene to remain faithful to the Emperor.
. The Emperor" she said, is your
benefaetor. To bin, you are indebted
for everything. To him, therefore, you
owe boundless obedience"
A fortnight passed. and the day ar
rived for the consummafion Of this cruel
o,crffsoo Il ~voo ffo 4 9Th ~ Doeouher