Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-22

INTERVIEW BETWEEN LOUISE, QUEEN
Of PRUSSIA, AND NAPOLEON.

Alexander strove to obtain from Napo-
leon concessions for his friend, and per-
suaded Frederick William to send for
Louisa, that her presence might not only
cheer the respondent monarch, but that
by her beauty and influence she might try
to soften Napoleon's iron will. When
Qeen Louisa received the Kings letter de-
string her to join him at Tilsit, she burst
into tears. This" said she. ''is the hard
est thing | ever had to do-tLe greatest
sacrifice | could possibly make" She
obeyed, however, as a true and devoted
wife. Napoleon was very anxious to see
this Queen OF whom he had heard so
much, and, in spite OF Talleyrand who
feared her power, received her with every
attention due to her rank, sending his own
state carriage. drawn by eight horses, to
meet her, together with an escort of French
Dragons. An hour after she arrived at
the Kings apartments. Napoleon himself
called upon her. She awaited his coming
with feelings of mingled dread and dislike,
which she thus expresses in her journal:
"What this costs me, my God alone knows:
for II do not positively hate this man, |
cannot help looking upon him as the man
who has made the King and the whole ma
tion miserable" The Emperor and the
Queen met at the head of the staircase,
and alter the first expressions Of greeting,
Napoleon at once perceived that he had
been deceived by the manner in which
Queen Louisa had been described to him
by her enemies. II knew" he said to
Talleyrand, "that l should see beauti-
full woman, and a Queen with dignified
manners; but found the most admirable
queen, and at the same time the most in
teresting woman, have ever met with"
Louisa was wearing dress of white Grape
richly embroidered in silk. Napoleon was
SO struck with it that he touched it gently
with his hand: "ls it Indian gauze?" he
asked.
''Shall we speak Of such light things at
a moment like this p' said the pale and
beautiful Queen.
Soon after he asked abruptly, "How
could you think of making war upon me Pr
The Queen quietly answered. I'VE were
mistaken in our calculations on our re-
sources"
"And you trusted in Frederick's fame
and deceived yourselves-Prussia, Of
course, mean"
Fearlessly and calmly she raised her
eyes to his face. 'Sire, on the strength
OF the great Frederick's fame we may be
excused for having been mistaken with re-
spect to our own powers and the means at
our command, if indeed we have quite
deceived ourselves"
Napoleon was touched, and Louisa, see
ing her opportunity, pleaded the cause of
Prussia with all the earnestness of which
she was capable.
Napoleon gave evasive answers and
paid her empty compliments, but Louisa
would not be put aside like this. With
utter torgettulness of self she appealed to
his generosity, his moderation, and be-
sought him to be Just and merciful, for
the love of humanity. When she spoke of
her husband and her people her lovely
face was flooded with tears. Napoleon
was affected and embarrassed, but, always
on guard, uttered not single word that
could bind him to anything definite. At
last she begged for Magdeburg-that
Madgeburg might be spared. 1alleyrand
was terrified lest Napolean should waver,
when the King of Prussia entered, and in
terrupting the conversation, delivered Ma
poleon from the necessity of reply.
This contretenlps seems to have discom-
posed the Queen; but she determined to
renew the attack that evening at the din
ner, to which Napoleon had invited her.
self and her husband. Louisa dressed
herself in all the full splendor of regal at
tire. which she had not worn for many
months. The flush of excitement on her
face made her appear unusually charming,
while her wit and intelligence showed that
beauty was her least attraction. Napole-
on was immensely struck with her, and
devoted himself with ardor to his beauti-
ful guest He offered her a rose TouiSa
smiled and said softly, AT least with
Magdeburg." Il must point out to your
Majesty replied Napoleon, ''that it IS for
me to beg; tor you to accept or decline
''Ihere is no rose without a thorn, but
these thorns are to sharp for me-" said the
Queen, declining the flower. Louisa felt
she had failed. Heart-sick and discour-
aged the Queen returned with her hus-
band to Pktupohnen; and the following
day Frederick William had stormy inter-
view with Napoleon, in which the latter
positively refused Magdeburg to be re-
tained-7msley's Magazine.