The Hillsborough recorder., 1875-03-17
JOSEPHINE.
ny n. W. CHALMERS.

Il tttNt - ~ hifSt'tEfB vi nU fNii VI p1ktioo -
the divorce OF the Empress Josephine.
The Emperor, Napoleon \; (the Great
Emperer) weary of incessant wars,
Thought he could form marriage al
iianee with some one OF the royal families
OF Europe, he might put an end To these
lconhictz and perpetuaie tile order OF things
lestabiisl.ed In France. For long time he
threaded to speak upon the subjects to
Josephine, who had become aware Of her
Impending doom, aud was overwhelmed
with grief. At last this fatal hour came
when the emperor was TO make the dreaded
announcemen TO the empress. 1t was at
the palace o.. .Foniainbleau, the last Of Nov
1900. Dark clouds obscured the sky, and
wintry wind moaned through the towers
OF tile castle. The emperor and em-
press dined alone. Neither had the heart
10 speak a~ord. As the attendants re-
tired at the close Of the rapast, at which Il
was said that neither could eat q niouth-
ful, the emperor. pale and trembling, took
1.-THE hand of Josephine. aud said:
Ny own dear josephine, you know
how have loved you. tits 20 you alone
that owe the few moments Of happiness
I have known In the world. Josephine,
my destiny Is stronger than my will My
dearest affections must yield TO the welfare
OF France
The dreadful blow Frustrated the EN-
press, and she fell faintlng 70 the floor.
The Count de Beaumont was called, and
by the aid ~ the emperor. Josephine was
borne. apparently l.feless, TO her apart
ment
Queen Hortense. her daughter. was
summoned, she said reproachfuliy 70 the
lemperOr
Ny mother will descend from the
throne as she ascended u. In obedience TO
your will. Her children content 10 re-
nounce grandeurs which have not made
then, happy. will gladly go and devote their
Lives 20 comforting the best and the nost
affectiouaie Of nlotbers.'
The emperor satadown and wept bitterly.
Then raising his eyes, flooded with
ltsars, he said TO Hortense, whom he loved
with pxiernal fondness:
"No, not leave me, Hortcnse' Stay by
me with Eugene. Help 20. console your
mother, and render calm, resigned and
even happy In remaining my friend while
she ctases n Ice my wife.
Eugene tJosephine's sonl Soon came
frDn, Italy. He Immediately repaired 20
his mothers apartment, and. elasping her
In his arms, they wept 10. meiusl anguish.
lie then entered the cabinet Of the em-
pernr. end rrcolled from the cordial em-
brace with which the emperor would
have greeted him. said:
"sIre, permit me to withdraw from
Iyour service
"what p said the emperor, sadly and
with deep emotion, !. will you, my adop-
ted son, forsake n,eg
Yes. SIRE Eugene firmly replied.
.The son Of her who Il no longer en-
press cannot rrmaln yicefoy of Italy
viii follow my mother Into her retreat.
sine must now find her consolation ii her
lchi.dren.'
The emperor was deeply moved. Tears
fillesi his eyes.
"Yoo know saidh he, the stern neces4
sits which compeis this measure. VIII
you forsake me? Whom, then, should
have for son, the object Of my desire
aud the preserver Of my Interests, who
will watch over the child when am alb
sent 2 IfI.die, who viii prove 20 him q
father?'
They both then retired 10 the garden, and
arm and arm, for long Time they walked
up aud down one oflls avenues engaged
IN earnest conversation. The noble Jose>
phlne. with mothers love, could not for
get The interest Of her children. She urged
Eugene TO remain faithful % the emperor.
" The emperor she said. II your hene.
factor, Eugene; 10 you innre than father.
To him you are indebted for everything.
To him, therefore, you owe boundless
Obvdience'
A fortnight passed aud the day arrived
for the consuinmailon for this cruel sac
, rifice. II was ths 18th of December. Al
!; the members Of the Imperial family wer'
y assembled la the grand saloon oT the Tuil'
lcrIes. An extreme paieness oyenpreac
the facc Of the emperor. In his brief adj
dress 70 the assembled dignifaries, he said
The politics. interest Of my monarchy.
and The wishes Of my people, require ,baI
should transmit ~ an heir. inhsriting M,
love for the people, The throne on whicl
l,rosidepee has placed me. II II this con.
/. sideratiou alone which indaees NE 10 sac
!. ri6ec the dearest aacesieas 81 MY heart. 4
q consult only tbe good ef my Subjects, ssns
!. lto desire the dissolution ef our marriage
God only knows how much such deter
limitation has cost my heart. But there
luo sacrifice TOO great for my courage wher
liz is proved 10 be for tho inierest.Qf France
Ear IRON having any course OF complaint
{ have nothing 10 SAY but praise in the a.
tarhment and tenderness VI my bolove'