The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-13
Interview Between Louisa, Queen O
Prussia, and Napoleon.

Alexander strove to obtain from Napoleon
concessions for his friend and persuaded
Frederick William to send for Louisa, that
her presence might not only cheer the de-
spondent monarch, but that by her beauty
and influence she might try to soften Napo-
ceived the Kings letter desiring her to join
him ct Tilsit, she burst into tears. "This, :"
said she, sis the hardest thing ever had to
do-the greatest sacrifice I could possibly
make" She obeyed, however, as true and
devoted wife. Napoleon was very anxious to
see this Queen Of whom he had heard so
much, and, in spite Of Talleyrsnd, who feared
her power, received her with every attention
due to her rank, sending his own state car
riage, 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
expressed in her journal: "What this costs
me, my God alone knows; for if do not
positively hate this man, can not help look.
ing upon him Is the man who has made the
King and the whole nation miserable" The
Emperor and the Queen met at the head of
the staircase, and after the first expressions
Of greeting, Napoleon at once perceived that
he had been deceived by the m0pner in which
her enemies. 81 knew" he said to Talley-
rand, /" that should see beautiful woman.
and Queen with dignifed manners; but I
found the most admirable queen, and at the
same time the most interesting woman, I
have ever met with" Louisa was wearing
dress of white Grape, richly embroidered in
silk. Napoleon was 80 struck with it that he
touched 1t gently with his hand. els it In
dian gauze" he asked.
.sShsll we speak Of such light things at a
moment like this ?" said the pale and beauti-
full Queen. -.
Won think of making war upon me?'
The Queen quietly answered, "We were
mistaken in our calculations on our resour-
ces."
.And YOU trusted in Fredericks fame and
deceived yourselves-Prussia, of course, I
mean"
Fearlessly and calmly she raised her eyes to
her face. "Sire, on the strength of the great
Frekerick's name We may be excused for hav-
ING been mistaken with respect to our own
powers and the means at our command, if
indeed we have quite deceived ourselves"
Napoleon was touched, and Louisa, seeing
her opportunity, pleaded the cause OF Prussia
With ali the earnestness Of which she was
capable. -,
Napoleon gave evasive answers and paid
har empty compliments; but Louisa would
not be nut aside like this. With utter forget
fitness Of self she appealed to his generosity,
his moderation, and besought 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,
aiTavs On guard, uttered not single word
that could bind him to anything definite. At
Iast she begged for Madgeburg-that Madge-
burr might be spared. Talleyrand was terri
fie6 lest Napoleon should waver, when the
King of Prussia entered, and, interrupting
The conversation, delivered Napoleon from
the necessity of reply. This contreternps
seems to have discomposed the Queen; but
abe determined to renew the attack that
evening ct the dinner, to which Napoleon
had invited herself and her husband.
Louisa dressed herself in all the full splen-
dor of regal attire, which she had not worn
for many months. The flush Of excitement
on her face made her appear unusually charm
ing, while her wit and intelligence showed
that beeuty was her least attraction. Napoleon
vas immensely struck with her, and devoted
himself with erdor to his beautiful guest. He
offered her rose Louisa smiled and said
softly, cat least Magdeburg." II must
point out to your Majesty. replied Napoleon,
:. that it is for me to beg; for you to accept or
decline" "There is no rose without Q thorn,
but these thorns are too sharp for me. said
the Queen, declining the flower. Louisa felt
she had failed. Heart-s.ck and discouraged
the Queen returned with her husband to Pix
tupohnen; and the following day Frederick
William had stormy interview with Napo.
leon, in which the latter positively refused
Magdeburg to be retained insleys Maga-
zine
ChoaD Shoes