Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-15
Napoleon. Opini"n al Mothers.

capped from a prison IN the interior of
France. hal succe, led in reaching the
coast Lear Boulogue. Here he made a
little skid, miserably frail. Of the
branches and bark Of trees. This bark
he intended to cross the channel in.
Dad you intend" Napoleon |. said,
81 TO brave the terrors of the sea In So
I frail a sklfi:'
" Yes" said the young man, " with
/ your. permission / will embark imme-
I diarely.'
Have you a sweetheart at home, -
asked Napoleon, - that you are so de-
sirous to go to your country again 2
No, replied the lad. " but l wish
to see my mother. who is aged, poor
aud intirm.
Napoleon's heart was touched. "You
shall see her, he answered, and give
her this purse Of gold from me. She
can be no common woman to have
brought up SO good q son." Napoleon
had but little tenderness of feeling, and
was insepsible to the delicate emotions
that agitate the human heart. He had
been accustomed to deal so ruthlessly
with men, and to look upon them only
as instruments of his ambition, and he
had seen so much of the baseness of hu-
mainly that he had lost all regard for
the better elements of character. OF
women generally, he had mean opin-
ion; though in Madame De Stael he
was obliged to acknowledge their intel
lectual and political power when re-
fined by culture. He had a morbid
antipathy to all blue-stockings. but he
had high esteem for women who full
filled their social duties. Madame De
Stael once said to him: " 1t is reported
that you are not very partial to the
ladies'"
II am very fond of my wife, madame"
was his laconic reply.
What is life worth if Zone cannot be
General Bonapart Napoleon an
swered her wisely: Madame, one may
be dutiful wife, and the good mother
of a family"
OF the social influence of a captivat-
ing woman he expressed himself wien
he said: II conquer provinces, but
Josephine wins hearts"
Or the moral power Of woman in
moulding the rising generations Ma
poleon gave his opinion in the follow
ing memorable declaration to the
French Senator " France needs moth
ing SO much to promote her regenera-
ton as good mothers" He had pro-
found respect for virtrous and exem-
plary mothers. His own mother,
Letitia Ramolini, married in her 18th
year to Charles Bonaparte, an advocate
| N AIanaIn a W. IA vi II
and qualities, though her education
was imperfect. From her spranga race
of kings and queens who changed the
face of Europe, upturned the Oldest
dynasties, and inaugurated the modern
era. Estranged as her children some
times were from each other. they all
united in acknowledging their indebted
ness to their mother. Her mental
characteristics, her personal qualities,
her elevated views OF life, and her
m oral courage and energy in greater
or less degree shaped the destiny of her
descendants. The intellect, physiolo-
eists say, is Unbeatable on the mothers
side. Certain it is, that her character
has an immense and abiding influence
on her offspring. A good mother is an
angel of benefcence and of incalculable
blessedness to a family. She makes her
household scene of continual happi-
ness. As one by one she sends her
children into the world, she does it
with the assurance that they are fully
provided with all that is necessary to
fight the battle of life, and she lays
down to her last sleep with the con-
seriousness that she has done her duty,
| L. - IL.
memories of sons and daughters, them
selves to become honored wives and
husbands, and to transmit in turn to
their offspring the virtues she impaired
to their parents. Napoleon, as man,
a statesman, and ruler, could not fail
to recognize the sublime excellences
and the never ending influence of
good mothers and the homage that is
due to them in every sphere of life
Philadelphia Press.