The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-22

Trustworthy authority.
the checkered life OF Josephine were passed a
Malmaison, tho simple country house which
she had organized on the model OF the Petit
Trlanon. As yet her husband was only FRS
Consul the empire and the longing for an he'll
that would como with 1t were still in the un
yelled future. The Duchess Of Abrantas give,
description OF the life at Malmaison In which
she liked to take part There was nothing,
she says, more delightful than a ball at Nal
mason at which the women who composed
what was really, though without the name
Nine. Bonaparte's court were present. All
were young, many were pretty; and when they
we're dressed in their white Grape gowns. car
rying flowers and wearing garlands as fresh
as their young, laughing faces, radiant with
Eayety and happiness, 1t was delightful
TO SEQ them dancing In the hall, In
which were the First Consul and the
men with whom he was weighing
the fato OF Europe" Bourrienne says, recur-
ring TO the Same memories: Away from the
cares OF government which. so far as possible.
wo Left behind us at the Tuileries. We were
sometimes very happy in our colony OF NAL
mason; and then we were young. and what
does not youth beautlfy2" He adds recalling
the drawing rooms: There the conversation
was most animated and varied: and may say
with truth that gayety and freedom were the
soul Of tho conversation and made Its whole
charm. There were refreshments OF every
sort. and Josephine did the honors with such
grace that every one could feel that she had
been more occupied with him than with any
one else" 1t was from Malmaison that
Josephine wrote to her mother. who had stayed
IN Martinique: " You ought to love Bonaparte;
he makes your daughter very happy; he Is
kind. amiabe. in a word. Is charming man."
1t was. we may remind the reader. to NAL
maison that Josephine returned when she was
driven from the Tuileries, and here she drew
her last breath.
There are several pen portraits OF Josephine
as she looked in 1903. whom she was 40 years
old. Lot us glance first at the sketch made by
Nine. dc Remusat. who was Josephnes lady
in-waiting. and who remained with hor after
the divorce. Without being exactly pretty"
she says, her whole appearance had a pc
cuiar charm. Her features were delicate and
harmonious; her expression was gentle; her
mouth, which was very small did not disclose
her teeth which wero not good; she disguised
the provinces of her complexion with the aid
OF rouge and powder: her figure was perfect,
her limbs were delicate and graceful every
movement was GRACEFUL aud OF no one could 1t
be said moro truthfully than OF her that her
grace was more beautiful than beauty. She
dressed with great taste and graced what she
wore: and, thanks to these advantages and
her constant attention to dress. she escaped
being eilaced by tho beauty and youth OF the
many women who surrounded her." Wallets aro
proverbially inapt to take optimistic views OF
their employers. but Naroeons first valet.
Constant, describes Josephine IN highly eulo-
CYSTIC ven 'Sho was" he says. of medium
height and very we'll made. All her movements
were light and graceful. so that her walk was
almost fitting. yet without losing the majesty
expected OF a queen. Her expressive counte-
nance varied with her emotions. and yet it
Rlwayslretalned the charming sweetness which
was Its main characteristic. Happy or unhgp-
py she was a beautiful object No woman ever
more thoroughly proved the truth OF the state
montlthat tho eyes are tho mirror OF the soul.
Her own were dark blue. and almost always
half hidden by her long lids. which were slight
" arched and bordered by the most beautiful
lRshes In the world. so that they had IN ire
BlStblO charm. Her hair was beautifully LONG
and silky. In the morning she liked to wear
red turban. which gave her a most piquant
creole air." Apropos OF hcr soft voice he adds:
:" How often 1t happened that l, like good
many Others would stop on hearing this voice,
simply for the pleasure OF listening to it." We
arc told that she read well. and that Napoleon
preferred her to all his readers.
AS to the singular amability Of Josephine
there is no lack OF evidence. Mile. Avrillon,
for example, saYs' There was only one opinion
about the exquisite kindness OF Nine Bona
pArte. Instances were abundant. and there
was no limit to the eulOgies of her many adj
mtrablo qualities She was extremely alIabo
with all who were about her; do not believe
that there everwas n woman who made her high
station less perceptible.' On the same point
We have tho cogent testimony of Nine. do Rs |
musat: with all hor advantages she united
extreme kindness. Moreover she was remark |
ably even tempered; she was worry we'll dis.
pose~ and always ready 10 forget any OWL done |
to her." Constant writes in a like tenor: Kind
moss was as much part Of her character rs
grace vas OF her person. Being extremely
kind. tender almost to excess, generous to pro-
fusion. she made all who were near her happy;
10 no woman was ever better loved or more
deserved 10 he loved Having known
she had sympathy for others
being always good-tempeTed and cheerful, as
)biigng to her enemies rs to her friends, she
made peace where formerly thore had existed
quarrel and dissension." So intcnse WAS her
interest In ali that concerned her husband that
I reached Mt times the pitch of intuition.
Napoleon declared ut ST. Helena that " Not ono
oI my thoughts, not one oi my actions, escaped /
Josephine; sho followed, Rrasped, guessed !
fact which sometimes acon- |
'enienced me in my OCCUPATIONS OF her in
.ellset Metternich has said: Her mind was
not powerful one, but 1t was Of an excellent |