New-York tribune., 1899-04-30
tenderness are exquisitely rendered. and Joseph
inc may be considered Nine Hsdings finest i'm

perSOnatiOn.
The prologue, which takes place in the gar
sens OF the Palais Royale. serves to bring to-
cether for the first time Bonaparte and Jo-
sephlne Bonaparte, a penness general, COM
pletely discouraged and in doubt whether to
throw Up his commission in the French Army
and accept an offer made by the Sultan to re-
organize the Turkish artillery. meets by chance
the equally penniless creole widow. who is seek
ing to earn a living by selling coffee from Mar
Unique. Nine. de Beauharnais makes deep
impression upon the young military adventurer,
who listens attentvely TO her narrative. which
contains an account of a negro nurses prophecy
that Josephine will become plus que Refine al
though the throne may prove to be her Calvary"
The same day Bonaparte is named by Barras
to command the troops which sweep away the
Sections.
The first act passes in the interior of the
bouse In the Rue Chantereine, where Josephine
Beauharnas, now Nine. Bonaparte leads ca
PRECIOUS existence often forgetting the General,
absent in Egypt and exemplifying the remark
Of Pauline Bonaparte that Josephine is SO good
50 all that she can resist one" Bopaparte
returns from Cairo jealous and angry. Joseph
in. by her feline persuasion and beauty, wins
aim back again. The scene is long and rather
tedious
The second act is at Malmaison. Murat.
Junot, Bonaparte's mother. Lutetia, and his sis
ters, Caroline and Pauline. present. There
is a game Of tag in progress on the lawn. The
scene is beautifully designed by Lemeunier, af-
ter descriptions and prints Of the period. This
act ends with the arrival Of the delegates from
the Senate and Council Of State, conducted by
Talleyrand who offer the imperial throne to the
First Consul. The next act or rather tableau.
is purely spectacular. IL presents the corona
ton Of Napoleon at Notre Dame. and is an ex-
act reproduction with living figures OF David s
famous painting in the Louvre Gallery. The
costumes and scenery are truly magnificent.
Loud were the cheers OF the audience last night
as Coqueln in the superb coronation dress OF
the Emperor took from the hands Of the Pope
the empresss crown and placed ii on Josephine s
head as the military band played the Corona
ton March, and grizzled veterans OF the I'm
Ierial Guard presented arms. This dazzling
spectacle will be almost enough in itself to carry
the play the first part Of which is dismally lack
ing in dramatic interest.
The next act passes at Saint Cloud in the En-
perors cabinet Napoleon has decided that d.
yorce is necessary to assure the stability OF the
Empire Josephine who now sincerely loves Ma
poleon, strives step by step. to retain not her
throne but her marriage rights. She endeavors
to persuade Napoleon 10 proclaim Charles LOUIS
the infant son of Lucien Bonaparte as his helr,
and with this object tries 10 reconcile the TWO
brothers. who had quarreled because of Luciens s
marriage which Napoleon never approved. Inc
scheme fails. The play here for the first time
contains dramatic action and interest. Joseph
inc refuses TO give her consent TO the divorce,
which must be by mutual agreement Ma
po.con, in the presence OF Josephine dictates to
Taleyrand letter TO the Emperor of Russia
demanding the hand of one OF the Russian I'M
perial prncesses. Josephine. IN a dellrlum OF
fury snatches the paper from Taileyrand ana
tears IT, She afterward falls helpless on sofa
TaIIeyrand offers a glass OF water Josephine
refuses it, in the belief that Talieyrand is Try
ing 10 poison her. Napoleon takes the glass and
places il himself before Josephne's lips Joseph
inc still refuses 10 drink. declaring that IL is
poisoned. Napoleon is beside himself with rage.
He calls Junot and says TO him: DO you see
that water? 1t is poisoned! Drink it," Junot
drinks il at one swallow. Napoleon, turning to
Josephine, exclaims: That is the way my army
loves me!"
The last act takes place at Fontainebleau
There is a theatrical performance. The En-
press Josephine after another quarrel with Ma
poecn about the divorce. delays making her APP
pearance in the hall. The ladies in waiting in
Guiding the Bonaparte prncesses, show their
hostility by speaking openly OF the coming d.
vorce and disgrace Of Josephine. The Empress
finally decides to attend the Court performance,
and does so in full regalia. The scene is impress
sive She still hopes to dissuade the Emperor
from insisting upon the divorce, for she has
key TO a secret door between her own apart
rnent and that OF the Emperor She turns the