JOSEPHINE

EMPRESS

OF

THE

FRENCH

BY

FREDERICK

Je gagne

des batailles
;

A.

me
Josephine

gagne

OBER

les coeors/ '

"

Bon apart*.

ILLUSTRATED

LONDON

T.

UNWIN

FISHER
PATERNOSTER

SQUARE
'^"'

x"":ftSMls7?7";^

CONTENTS

PACK

CHAPTER

I.

Island

of

Martinique

Decade

11.

Her

first

III.

The

Great

Hurricane

17

IV.

The

Carib

Prophetess

25

V.

At

VI.

La

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XL

XII.

Diamond

Belle

The

First

Bride

XVII.
XVIIL

XIX.

XX.

Son

Loyal

99

113

the

of

Tallien

Madame

Day

130

Death

144

the

and

Directory

of

The

Italian

The

Little

Josephine

and

Napoleon

Rue

Love-Letters

184

202

Campaign
House,

156

167

Bonaparte

Marriage

Napoleon's

87

France

of

Shadow

General

77

Beauhamais

Order

the

the

France

of

55

66

Revisited

Martinique

In

Peaks

Josephine

to

of

Carbet

the

of

The

XIV.

XVI.

Loves

Voyage

Terror

44

at

The

33

Creole

Picnic

XIII.

XV.

Rock

Chantereine

217

234

iV

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

FAGB

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

"

Your

Austerlitz

XXY.

Divorce

XXIX.

XXX.

of

and

of

Retrospect

Appendix

Wagram
Disaster

325

343

360

and

Death

In

297

to

Navarre

Elba

249

270

Majesty

Portents

XXVIII.

Egypt

Consulate

The

XXY.

XXYII.

in

Bonaparte

Malmaison

Fontainebleau

Josephine

384

395

408

420

435

LIST

OF

of

Empress

Josephine,

ILLUSTRATIONS.

the

French

Frontispiece.
FACING

Map

of

the

Caribbean

Map

of

the

Island

of

Birthplace

Martinique

of

Josephine

10

22

Rock

Diamond

40

Cuisine

Ancienne

The

Riviere

Sucrerie

The

Waterfall

of

The

Josephine,

First

Desiree

in

Napoleon
Little

Marriage

'74

Birthplace
de

and

France

Church

Shrine

114

Consul

168

Clary.

200

1796

at

by

250

300

Trois

Ilets

350

Prud'hon

Register

96

110

Malmaison

at

Josephine,

France

Fort

Tree

Bonaparte,

Josephine

de

Josephine's

near

Traveler's

Eugenie

54

Fort

Madame,

Statue

PAGE.

Sea

of

400

Josephine's

Parents

434

JOSEPHINE

CHAPTEE

ISLAND

A
As

the

sun

and

green

of

One

for

and
of
now

in

washed
it

had

had
and

plant-life,
swept

the

to

retention

of

hither
Thus

calms.

its

by

slowly,

by

of

the

deep

eons

verdure

the

its

birds,

sun,

during

soil
and

seeds

the

rocks

tropic

moisture,

prepare

been

primal

garment

and

of

one

fire, it had

upon

the

combined

surface.

of

age

rains

Heat

of

sea

beaten

gathered

clouds.

lie, crescent-like,

ocean-depths

torrential

brought

its

in

wrinkled

vapory

that

self
him-

Martinique,

and

storms

been

it.

enwrapping

reception

that

slimy
had

alchemists,

of

distant,

centuries

time

of

of

in

isles

found

between

chain

was

many

ocean

from

upheaved

interposed
Sea

he

Atlantic,

wreathed

those

far

day

1Y62.

year

the

mountain-mass

the

between

the

island

summits

with

fairest

the

of

Caribbean

the

verdant

This

MARTINIQUE.

from

rose

rugged

and

hills,

OF

morning

TROPICAL

I.

by
and

the

great
for

the

germs

winds

gloomy

JOSEPHINE.

the mountainvalleys, the sloping hillsides,even

covered
with carpets of emerald
bossed
emsummits, were
with

and

flowers

trees.

lay there, desolate, between

who
tell ?
No
can
shining sea and gloomy ocean,
the primogenial life began :
the
knows
when
one
first flutter of wings, the primitive pulse-beat of
But
sentient organisms.
one
day this paradise
who
have
invaded
was
by aboriginal man,
may
it drifting upon
from
reached
a giant tree, wrenched
forest
some
by the hurricane, or in a rude canoe,
How

many

it

ages

"

"

from

hewn

cedar

ceiba.

or

from
believing that he came
the region of the Orinoco, or
the
the south, from
Amazons
found
that this man
only know
; but we
by Europeans in possession of the Caribbees, in the
latter part of the fifteenth
of a type
century, was
in the Old World, and called Indian.
then unknown
found
Columbus
of that
here, in the last decade
into
America
the keeping of
century which
gave
We

have

civilized man,
these

for

the

barbarous
of

defense
many

island
French

for

reasons

Carib

Indians,

their

homes

years

after

remained

in

adventurers

from

the

The

so

and

the
their

Caribs

coast-lands

the

by

were

to

So

fierce

were

warlike, so active in the

hunting-grounds, that
so-called
discovery, the
the
possession. Then

colonized

buccaneers, attracted
the island.

cannibals.

it

the

sea-rovers

beauty and
gradually

the

disappearingaltogether.
prospered, their estates covered

and

of
fertility
driven

back

mountain
The

nally
valleys,fiFrench
planters

the lowlands

; their

Map

of

the

Caribbean

Sea

JOSEPHINE.

Africa, multiplied to a great

slaves,imported from
the
attenpopulation; their prosperity attracted
their enemies.
tionof
During that long and
between
France
and
bloody struggle for supremacy
itely
England, their colonial possessions suffered infin.

conflict

was

the

home

countries.

shifted

from

sea

than

more

The
from

to sea,

scene

of

ocean

to

already colonized or taken

of the choicest
Caribbean
islands,the
by force many
English fell upon Martinique.
their clutches ;
It was
too rich a country to escape
island
their fleet approached its shores
; the whole
alarmed
was
by
; planters and slaves, alike animated
to its defense.
patrioticsentiment, hastened
in January,
A
1762.
the
morning
Upon
of a hill overlooking the deep bay of Fort
summit
delicate
about
woman
Eoyal, stood a fair and
the
She was
of a
center
twenty-five years of age.
of female
iously
slaves, who were
regarding, as anxgroup
them.
she, the scene
as
spread out before
filled with shadows
The deep valley at their feet was
;
cast its black
the
a peaked morne
counterpart across
intervening vale, and aslant the hill on which
they
air was
The
cool and
stood.
sweet
morning
; it
of naught but
breathed
the bay,
peace
; yet, across
Finally, having

ocean.

less than
The
the

grim

guns,

were

from

the

they

were

four

miles

away,

English fleet
walls

of

Fort

sending
fleet

arose

the

smoke

of

flict.
con-

had

approached the shore

Saint-Louis, bristling with

forth

storm

of

shot

; boats

striving for a landing. At flrst

repelled by the gallant islanders, but
were

JOSEPHINE.

Then
the great wooden
successful.
eventually were
from
ships, hitherto silent,replied to the cannonade
smoke
hid the scene
the fort, and
from
a pall of

view.
white

The
her

her

with

eyes

lifting of the cloud

passed, and another
hill ;

faint

and
about

to

again, and

drifted

The

penetrate

then

covered

servants

hills.

the

gathered

fort.

An

shortened

shadows

; the

breeze.

farther

the

hid

that

by them.

ceased, the cloud

the

strove

; her

ground and

trembling, they awaited

sea-breeze

had

by

hands

Silent and

her.

around

fell to the

watcher

woman

the

on

nonading
can-

pated
dissi-

was

rose

to her

that

still clung

the

mists

She

started, gasped,

fell into the

hour

The

of smoke

the

supporting

feet

looked
of her

arms

attendants.
.

Above
France

the

fort

longer waved

no

the

Lilies

of

Slowly and sorrowfully the little group descended

the hill,to the plantation-house at its foot, there to
await such tidings as the day might bring to them.
A bride of but little more
than a month, Madame
been
Tascher
de La-Pagerie had
compelled to part
from
her
husband
a week
previous to the battle,
when

he

Fort.

As

evade

his

was
a

ordered
lieutenant

to

assist at the
of

the

defense

forces, he

of the

could

not

duty to the government

otic,
patri; loyal and
he yet left his bride with
swered
reluctance, and anthe imperative call to arms.
He
he directed
had sent daily messages
to her as
the erection of earthworks
behind
the town, scarped

JOSEPHINE.

the hillsides

the

commanding

; but

bay

for the

last

had
been
able to reach
the
days no messenger
the hills,and
plantation, isolated as it was
among
beyond the bay swept by the guns of the enemy.
overborne
almost
by her grief and anxiety,
Though
could
Madame
Tascher
not
yield to her desire
for seclusion,but was
obliged to attend to the affairs
of the large plantation, with
its dependent slaves.
Two
days had nearly passed, the second was
nearing
the
its close, when
mistress
of La-Pagerie saw
a
from
riding up the palm-bordered avenue
negro
the landing at the bay.
Standing in the southern
behind
the
rose-garden, she saw
doorway, above
this horseman
another, coming at a furious rate ;
minutes
and
few
later was
band's
a
sobbing on her hustwo

breast.

fight had ended, with victory for the English ;

the planters were
dispersing to their homes
; and
had acquitted himself
Lieutenant
Tascher, who
so
of the English commander,
bravely as to win the esteem
The

permitted

was

Finding the demands

to

all

occupy

to his estate.

to return

of his

cient
large properties suffihis time. Lieutenant
Tascher

devoted
and
resigned his commission
entirely to agricultural occupations. His
estate
up

this

was

on

their abode, and

dower

the

little hamlet

which

he

which

beautiful

his bride

and
had

come

valley

of Trois-Ilets.

of

Acres

himself

principal
had

to them

Sannois

taken
as

near

her

the

unsurveyed lay
spread out upon the hills adjacent : the valley itself
All within
sight
penetrated far into the interior.

JOSEPHINB.

of their house
of

waters

theirs, stretching from

was

the

bay

to the

crests

of the

the

distant

quiet
hills.

only the soil belonged to them, but the entire

hundred
and fifty slaves.
Here
population of one
by their dependants,
they lived happily surrounded
and
whom
over
they exercised a beneficent
sway,
to
they chanced
entertaining their friends, when
Not

visit

from

the

of

town

near

Fort

Eoyal,

and

the

city of St. Pierre.

Two
happy and peaceful years followed the capture
In the cultivation
of the island by the English.
of his vast
estate, with its billowy fields of sugarcane
and
M. Tascher
fragrant groves of coffee-trees,
passed his time, outwardly tranquil, but inwardly
disturbed
by the thought that he and his family were
the subjects of an
alien
His father,
government.
farther

the first of the

in America,

name

had

come

to this

He was
a perMartinique in the year 1726.
sonage
of rank, as
from
his request, four
appears
later, for the registration of his letters of
years
the French
noblemen
nobility; a formality which
omitted.
coming to the Antilles never
His request was
granted, but not until 1745, and
meanwhile
he had
been
united
in marriage to Mile,
de La Chevalerie, the daughter of a wealthy family
island

of

of the

island.

son

Pagerie,
This

whom
man

young

appointed

engaged

born

was

to

they

sent

returned

First Lieutenant

in the

Joseph Gaspard

them,

erection

to be

educated

de

La-

in France.

Martinique in 1755, was

of Artillery,and actively

to

of batteries

at Fort

Eoyal,

JOSEPHINE.

the chief

port and

naval
in

aided

He

station

of the French

West

repulse of an English force

have
General
under
ready
alMoore, in 1759, and (as we
active part in the defense
of
seen) took an
Fort Eoyal during the second
assault, in 1762.
Following the example of his illustrious father,
alliance
he formed
with a rich Creole family, in
an
November,
1761, by marriage with Mile. Eose-Clair
des Vergers de Sannois.
into
Through her he came
he
possession of the estate of Sannois, to which
Indies.

retired
reside

at about
the

Absorbed

the

remainder

age

of

twenty-seven,

there

to

of his life.*

this

in the multitudinou
happy couple became
of the
ing
cares
great-house
(as the dwellof a "West
Indian
proprietor is called ) and the
to the
acres
adjacent, they yet perpetually recurred
irritant of their otherwise
one
placid existence
: the
floatingof a foreign flag above the Fort.
and lovers of La belle France,
As devoted
children
their existence
embittered
was
by this reflection :
that their children, should
they be blest with any,
be born beneath
would
alien flag.
an
Fortune, however, stillcontinued
favoring : there
M. Tascher
made
came
a day when
was
supremely
happy by the intelligencethat a daughter had been
bom
to him.
ment,
And, coincident with this announcefrom
the faint report of cannon,
across
came
the bay.
Fort Eoyal was
the recession
rejoicingover
as

''

of

"

Martinique.
*

Histoire
*

See

de la

Martinique.

Appendix

I.

JOSEPHINE.

Then

the

his

for

lifted

daughter

Note.
north
miles.
who

called

The

British

was

finally
in

is

It

about

the

45

was

American

in

by

and

the
the

long

of

treaty

bulk
naval

revolution.

of
station

the

and

14th

broad,

15

1502,

French

1762,

years

planter's

France

in

The

the
the

by

Columbus,

Madiana.
it

restored

the

miles

the
of

between

by

Island

seized

It

the

lies

from
child

discovered

was

1848,

colored.

was

Martinique

"

during

cloud

'81,

Paris,
present
and

'94,
1814.

15th
with

degree
an

by

colonized

it

and

in

1809

Slavery

of

of

the

380

Indians
in

1635.
but

it

ished
abol-

was

is

tude,
lati-

of

area

inhabited

population
rendezvous

brow,

black

French,

or

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTEE
HER

n.

PmST

DECADE.

daughter of the Creole

thus auspiciously announced

This
was

peace,
became

The

was

other

none

celebrated
of

as

planter, whose
by the salvos
than

she who

birth
of

turning
re-

quently
subse-

Josephine.

by which
Martinique,
other colonial
amongst
stored
repossessions, had been
to France, was
ruary,
signed on the twelfth of FebA war-ship brought the news
1763.
to Fort
tion
Eoyal ; the final transfer of troops and the installatook place in June, on the
of the new
governor
month
born.
twenty-third of which
Josephine was
The planter and his wife desired
to veil
a
son, and
their disappointment they bestowed
the new
upon
arrival
the name
so
honorably borne
by the father
and
christened
Mariegrandfather. The child was
Joseph-Eose, thus combining and perpetuating the
of her grandfather, grandmother,
baptismal names
father
and
mother
Marie- Joseph-Eose-Tascher
:
de La-Pagerie.
This
formidable
appellation was
abbreviated
have
to Josephine, around
which
soon
treaty

peace,

"

since

clustered

all synonyms

for

grace

and

win-

someness.

Six years

later,on

the island

of

Corsica, was

born

10

JOSEPHINE.

with

one

whom

linked

of

name

Josephine

is

rably
insepa-

Napoleon.

:
"

and

Napoleon
moment

the

to note

but pause
a
Josephine : we cannot
in the great events
the parallelisms

of their lives.
Both

isle of

the

Mediterranean,

of the Caribbean
Both
their

; the

island-born

were

first
native

saw

in

other

the

rock-ribbed

a
a

tropic segment

crescent.

the

land

in

one

light soon

to

France

after the accession

; and

both

have

of

been

wrongfully accused of being but the adopted children

of that country.*
Both
early sought the shores of the mother-land
;
but both
retained
their love for the place of
ever
their birth, returning to it when
in trouble, and
maintaining an affection for its people.
Their
those of their youth and
happiest years were
passed in the retreats of nature, free from strife and
To them
turmoil.
they constantly recurred, with
longing and in loving remembrance
; but, urged by
tates
counter
to the dicambition, they pursued a course
of their

Each

was

affections.
twice

married,

once

for love,

gratify ambition.
To the last, each
the other
retained
the estrangement
of their latter

But
*

to return

Corsica

was

15tli of August,

to

annexed
that year.

that

eventful

to France

in

June,

in

once

to

spite
esteem, de-

years.

day, the twenty1769 ;

Napoleon born

Birthplace

of

Josephine

%:#

11

JOSEPHINE.

Joy and gladness filled the

June, 1763.
his wife.
hearts
of the planter and
Writing to her
de La-Pagerie expressed
later, Madame
sister, a week
for
His gift of
her great gratitude to God
all
a daughter," and
hoped the child would
possess
the most
agreeable traits of both ancestral families.
desires
That
her
gard,
were
gratified,at least in this reus
more
history has assured
loving and
; no
winsome
infant, later developing into a graceful
and sympathetic girl and
mother, ever
gladdened
the hearts of hopeful parents.
is one
of complaisance ; yet, the
The
Creole nature
surroundings of a child of wealthy parents, in those
portment
not conducive
to deferential dedays of slavery,were
third

of

"

Slave

women

waited

on

the

child

from

also at its service night and

birth,their children were
day.
and
climatic
conditions
Hereditary influences
conduced
into a perfect
to shape the little Creole
She
unfettered
was
type of her class.
by clothes
and
As
the
unrestrained
by commands.
tropical
evokes
from
the soil an
exuberance
of vegetasun
tion
the colder regions are
to which
strangers, so,
manifests
itself in the ardency
too, the solar energy
of the human
temperament.
The
Creole is more
volatile,less restrained,more
passionate, and given to lighter play of fancy, than
the dweller
And
this quality is more
at the North.
than
temperamental : it is physical, also.
The
of Europeans
Creole (that is,the descendant
bom
in the Tropics) has a delicacy of figure and

12

JOSEPHINE.

of moveand
freedom
ment,
limb, "a grace
for the loss of robustness
that
compensates
the restraints
and
perhaps of virility. Free from
of clothing, in earliest youth, the body develops
models
of
along natural lines and the limbs become
symmetry.
of love,
Such
child of the sun," a creature
a
the
laughter, and careless gayety, was
youthful
she could
walk
the
outside
as
Josephine. As soon
she became
doors
the favorite
of the
great house
of
the
swarmed
slave-children, who
companion
about
the establishment.
Or, rather, they became
her devoted
ing
adherents, guiding her footsteps,watchher
She
movement.
over
was
really a
every
in fact
before
she could
talk, an
queen
empress

litheness

of

'^

^'

before

she

"

saw

ever

the

shores

of

France.

tomed
Accus-

lightest fancy taken

seriously,
her
orders
to have
as
uttered, she
obeyed as soon
in danger of becoming
was
imperious and selfish.
her : the
saved
innate
Only her native sweetness
and surpassing graciousness of her disposition.
of a sister,a year older than
is a tradition
There
to

herself

have

; but

her

the records

of

the

little church

where

baptized do not confirm it. At all events,

to join in
she had no sisterlycompanion with whom
the resources
chiefly thrown
play, and was
upon
the place.
afforded by the colored children about
in
freedom
There
enough
was
enough : room
to expand, to develop, to indulge in romp
which
or
she

was

ramble.
The

planter'shouse

was

situated

upon

natural

14

JOSEPHINE.

all others were

their fellows
that
high above
Beneath
them
the
dwarfed
by comparison.
grew
and guava,
the custard-apple,sapote, banana,
mango
others.
plantain, calabash, and a hundred
orange,
all the year
in abundance,
Fruits
were
through.
and
The
shaded
the veranda
golden- fruited mango
for the little girl to
morsels
dropped its delicious
find.
The same
tree, or one of its descendants, still
the
casts its shade
over
ground where
Josephine
On
the
her companions.
hill-slopes
played with
the
gleamed the yellow cane, in the gorges
grew
fruit.
gles
Tanglossy-leaved coffee, with its crimson
barriers
of vine and
at
serpentine liane made
the mouths
of the ravines and
hung their festoons
80

around
But

the trees.
this

Happy

things

; beneath

shrub

lurked

itself

were

Valley

the
many

venomous

was

luxuriant

dangers.

not

without

its evil

growth

of vine

Within

the

insects,hiding

beneath

and
house
the

and
There
corners.
was
floors,in holes
always
danger of disturbing an enormous
centipede, with
its numerous
and
feet, its scaly back
poisonous
This
island
mandibles.
is
its peculiar haunt,
and
here
it attains to a length of many
inches.
as
Bapid of movement
anything that crawls, it
flashes upon
instant, then is gone.
sight an
your
It hides in your
clothing, and if disturbed pricks its
poison into your flesh,leaving behind a burning
fever.
Or the tarantula, which
here is surcharged
is found
with
and
so
large that its hairy
venom,
a
saucer.
legs can
Scorpions, too,
spread across

15

JOSEPHINE.

centipedes the soft and rotting wood,

and hide beneath
castchips, dead leaves and even
in great variety, some
off clothing. Ants
of them
invading
capable of inflictingburning stings, some
share

the

with

the

hordes

in

house

of

milHons.

Great

house-

but
hideous
as
spiders, harmless
large as
; bats
of harmful
not
innocent
intent ;
so
doves, but
insects that penetrate the flesh and
chigoes, minute
lay eggs therein that develop into festering sores
;
the bete-rouge,a kind
of tick,that fastens upon
the
skin

and
of

worst

the

is infested
how
is

exposed.

the

cannot
children

stung

and

in the

plagues with
but

mere

flesh.

which

mention

of

These

are

the

tropicalcountry
them

will

show

infant
an
dangers to which
Even
the carefully-nurtured child of
and
wholly escape some
annoyance,
of the
lower
classes are
frequently

are

many

wealth

its head

buries

the

bitten.

child of

quency
familiarity,and the fresuch
with which
divests them
pests are seen
of the terror
inspire. But
they might otherwise
in Martinique
of the
disturber
there is one
peace
which
is not
only carefully avoided, but feared.
is the poisonous serpent, called
This
the Fer-deand though
Lance.
It is aggressive and venomous,
its home
is in the forest,yet it frequently descends
to the gardens, and even
enters the dwellings. Ever
in possession of the white
since the island has been
and
this serpent has
been
terror
a
scourge.
man,
the
It invades
the cane-fields,
where
it strikes down
limbs
of trees
negro-laborer; suspends itself from

Contempt

is the

16

JOSEPHINE.

stretch

that

its

victims

within
is

above

stir

of

shades

family
are

The
hours

sleep.

of

span

filled
To

which

the

child-life
with

the
would

the

boisterous

then,

child,
not

seem

See

the

depressing.
Appendix

II.

where

rarely

the

monotony

the
the

where

daytime
play,

after

then,

plantation,

newspaper

is

there

island,

Imagine,

dark

for

Except

tropical

after

soon

wait

lighted,

are

fallen.

on

repose
to

streets
this

have

existence

seek

scarce;

in

in

lies

situation.

the
life

night

of

monotony

where

human
of

forest-paths

conceivable

every

cities,

the

no

the

in

the

the

night
of

books

trates.
pene-

waking
with

tion-life
planta-

17

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTEK

THE

"I

ran,

night

GREAT

HURRICANE.

jumped,

danced,

restrained

one

no

III.

the

from

wild

morning

to

of

movements

childhood."

my

These

later

in
life

of

words

ring
Josephine herself,recurthe happiest period of her

to

years

first decade

the

the

are

of her

child-life

at

Sannois-

de-la-Pagerie.
the earliest dawn

With

in

and

couch

the

open

of
air.

day

she

was

The

out

great

of

her
in

room

slept,with its bare white walls and tiled

her
favorite
occupied conjointly with
floor, was
tireless in her
efforts to
was
Adee, who
nurse,
was
one
please and protect her little charge. Adee
nique,
of those golden-skinned products of tropical Martia
metise, with
purple tints in hair and
melancholy eyes, and the hues of sun-ripened fruit
in her complexion.
She was
tall and
lithe,young,
joyous, and loving. Her lovers could be counted by
she

which

the

score

away

from

devotion
One

but
''

Hi

to the

of those

not

one

of

them

could

Josephine,^^to whom

draw

she had

her

vowed

death.

delicious

mornings,

to

experience

18

JOSEPHINE.

is the

which

of

"

lifetime,Josephine opened
her good nurse
her eyes to see
her.
bending over
that day three
She
was
old, and a little fete
years
of such
had been arranged in celebration
an
tant
importhe planters
It was
the custom, among
event.
of that
some
time, to perform some
act, or make
the birthdays of their
sacrifice,that should cause
children

to

joy

On

remembered.

be

this

occasion

M.

usual
promised to give his daughter an unof her birthday he had
happiness : in honor
promised to free one of the slaves.

Tascher

It

had

she

that

ingly

face

of

the

eyes
her

and

her

father's

looked

ise,
prom-

question''Is it lovely?

nurse.

up

"

sun

"

but
"

opened

her

of

shining ? she asked.

Of course
it is,petit fi ! it is always shining

Is the
"

into

recollection

the

with

was

?"

But

"

It
repeated Josephine, anxiously.
must
shine ; to-day little Jo- jo is to be made
free.
Papa has given him to me."
chere,^^said the girl,imprinting a kiss
''Yes, ma
the ripe lips,which
on
Josephine unconsciously returned
but I saw
in the sky,
a bad-looking cloud
;
I went
out to feed the doves, and the hurricaneas
birds were
roll out,
the bay.
But
flying low over
"

let

now,

Ah,

how

me

put

on

lovely she

the

new

will

frock
look

from

the

come

now,

across

the

Fort.
to

the

bath."
The

little

pink feet pattered

marble

from
to the bath-room, where
water
the sweet
tiles,
the hills,reau
douce, was
gurgling in the basin,

19

JOSEPHINE.

and

their

soon

laughing

was

of the

music

to the

owner

The

stream.

and

plashing,

nurse's

face

wore

expression, but with sweet gravity she

the child, now
and then casting a look
attended
upon
the bay.
denly
Sudthe window
towards
opening upon
of the chamber
the door
was
opened, and M.
Tascher
appeared. He cast a hurried glance around,
and
he sought, he seized a
then, seeing the ones
his daughter, and
large bath-towel, threw it around
gathering her into his arms,
pressed her to his
breast, kissing her passionately.
''Quick, Adee, follow me with what you can find
anxious

an

at

To

hand.
; lose

house

not

Madame

us.

the

is

case-a-vent
; the

moment

already

there."

to

the

hurricane-

hurricane

is upon

The

of Adee
had
quick ears
already caught the
premonitory mutterings of the coming storm
; but
she had
hoped to finish the child's toilet without
into
her
her.
arms
Gathering
some
alarming
of clothing scattered
articles
the
on
floor, she

hastened

her

after

behind

the

who

master,

dwelling, and

had

crossed

was

at the entrance

the

closure
en-

of the hurricane-house.
The

dispens
inan
hurricane-house, was
adjunct of every plantation in the island,

case-a-vent,

The

author

or

is indebted

for this

narrative, to the traditions

of

Trois-Ilets.
The

which

great hurricane,
Tascher, and devastated

the

1766,

after

some

weeks

seven

Appendix (3)and

^^

Histoire

destroyed

island, occurred

Josephine's

Generate

des

the

property
the

third

13th

M.

August,

birthday.

Antilles.''''

of

See

20

JOSEPHINE.

subject
the

desolate

with

into

usually built

have

feet

by

made

estate.

the side of

under

or

called

which

prosperous

several

of stone

walls

and

ouragans,

fair and

many

terrible storms

to those

was

Indians,

first

It is

it

as

in

hill,

thickness, and,

The door
possible,in a sheltered situation.
is of thick plank, there are no windows
; and, as may
be of long
be imagined, the air within, if the storm
duration, is most oppressive.
the
had
Not
too soon
family of M. Tascher
under
the
sought and gained the shelter of the cave
been
drawn
hill.
Scarcely had the last servant
and the massive
door closed and bolted, than
within
them
in all its fury.
The
the hurricane
was
upon
and
tall palms
writhed
bent
beneath
its blows
;
and guava
and
trees
were
calabash, orange
mango
quickly stripped of their limbs ; roof-tiles from the
far

as

as

boards

mansion,

from

wrenched

branches

the

from

negro-quarters,

trees, were

hurled

and

through

the air.
The

door

hinges,

from
uttered
her

been

to

the

terrified

not

within
and

moans

but

to

calm.

tumultuous

But

its

huge

it,almost
the

cave

cries

little

clasping her
clinging also to

what

was

on

across

Close

neck, and
lay quiet and

bars
air

servants

word.

expression !

groaned

iron

suffocation

bosom

; she

the

at

hot

hand, she
for

case-a-vent

fastenings. The

father's

tender

the

strained

its

burst

of

arms

her

came
bearose

Josephine
around
mother's

within

her

feelings struggled
Her
to have
fete-day, it was
ruled
the plantation as
have
a
.

22

JOSBPHINB.

with

their

a ragged row
waving plumes, was
and
here
there
few
of shattered
a
stumps, with
The
huts of
mangled leaves clinging to the stems.
which
had
been
the
the
grouped around
negroes,
soon
a
entirely destroyed, and
sugar-mill, were
hundred
despairing beings were
groping in their

trunks

ruins.
All

this

of devastation

scene

glance ; it somewhat
crowning desolation of all
at

M.

Tascher

prepared

the total

in

took

him

for

the

destruction

of

his house.*

escaped him, as he looked upon

In ruins ; not
home.
his happy
been
with
standing ; the rose-garden strewn
A

groan

that

From

the

moment

father

what

had

wall

left

stones

and

of

Josephine
and broken
some,
man.
was
Tall, alert, handa changed
smile
with
his bronzed
ever
a
on
face, he
and family ; had
had worked
hopefully for his home
all was
built and improved ; but now,
swept away,
of years,
of a century.
the improvements
the work
rebuilt the great-house ; for years
He never
after,
of the sucrerie,
the family lived in the upper
rooms
the cane
was
or
sugar-house, where
ground and
tiles.

into sugar.
wife clung to his shoulders

converted
His

mutely

appealed
his

absently
*"3f.
ruinee

de

fixed

at them
La

; le hdtiment

be

taken

gaze

from

to

moment
eut

Pagerie
seul

r^ugiaavec safemmeet

de

sa

sa

his

to
the

; then
maison

sucrerie

little Josephine

and

resta

drawing
With-

arms.

ruins, he

looked

the consciousness

cf habitation

(Test la quV I se

debout.

Josephine,''''
etc., Histoire

entierement

de

la

Martinique.

23

JOSEPHINE.

their continued

of

to his breast.

clasped them
yes,

thank

With

sought
The

the
eyes

for

some

river had

garden and
carried

and

he

* ^

My wife, my daughter ;
good God, they are left to me !
blinded
by tears, the unfortunates
familiar
scene
changed.
; but all was
burst its banks, had swept away
their
*'

trees ; but

many

away

him

upon

came

presence

some

more

than

of their servants

this

in the

it had

flood.

Only the great sugar-house remained

standing, of
all the buildings pertaining to the estate.
To this
the now
homeless
structure
family directed their
of stone, some
two
feet in
were
steps. Its walls
thickness,its rafters heavy and covered with earthen
tiles,the doorways were
broad, with granite lintels.
the ground-floor, where
Above
the machinery was
placed: huge rollers to press the juice from the cane,
filled with
endless
great gloomy vats
water, an
of the cane-stalks
for the carrying away
tramway
;
above
this dark, cavern-like
two
were
room
large
The
beams
chambers.
supporting the floor were
and
the floor itself intact.
To
sound
strong, and
the chambers
the
obeying M. Tascher's
negroes,
as
orders, carried such of the furniture
they could
find,such of the scattered clothing and valuables as
could be collected,and there the family took up their
abode.
Fate, or fortune, so willed it that while she
lived at Trois-Ilets,
other place of
no
Josephine knew
residence,unless visitingat the house of a friend,or
at school.

Two

dormer

the sea, the

windows
bare

rafters

were
were

thrown

hung

out

with

towards

draperies,

24

JOSEPHINE.

rushes

of

mats

made

rooms

The

lines),a

mute

of

than

of that

of

to-day

this, too,

traveler

the

who

walls,

look

attached

once

rich-hued

of
a

and

her

the

past,
In

its shade.
years

of the

the

small

structure

Its

walls

of

are

for

this

mother

of

and

husband,

that

was

stone, its
it

while

her

lived

after

roof

droops
as

in

beneath

playing

building

Josephine,

even

great-house

Above

children

small

obscure

golden fruit to-day,

its
the

the

Josephine,

this

reach

to

tiles,lichen-covered.

century

of

outline

upon

Of

it is called

as

lover

when

standing, by

the

tree, dropping

mango

the

chance

to it.

left

was

else

here

empress.

The

these

Nothing

cuisine,

still exists.

few

of devastation

ago.

youthful

ancienne

may

the

of

writer

transpired

kitchen

still trace

valley, may

years

the

; the

hurricane

the
scene

of what

one

great-house, only the

the

(or it stood,

by

seen

hundred

one

home

the

was

was

floor,and

possible.

as

memorial

to remind

remains

it

it

when

the

upon

still stands

building

ago,

more

habitable

as

old

years

strewn

were

for

the

many

death

daughter

was

of
press
em-

of France.
As
the
was

She

the

place

watchful
in which

attracted

by

they
an

of

chamber,
before

was

carrying Josephine
to

were

live,

object floating

halted, but, though

feeling
upper

Adee

shuddering

dread, she continued

first

returning

leaving

her

to confirm

at

attention

the

river-side.

with
her

charge
her

her

to

fined
unde-

an

to the

way

with

fears.

ant,
serv-

25

'

JOSEPBINE.

IV.

CHAPTEE
THE

CARIB

PROPHETESS.

Parting the guava

saw
bushes, peering through them
fearfully,Adee
the body of little Jo-jo, his hands
grasping the guava
Ah,
roots, his glassy eyes looking up into the sky.
pauv* gar con ; poor little Jo-jo ; and yesterday he
been free !
Adee
to have
was
carefully drew the
took him
the water, and
dead boy from
to the negro
in stony
his mother
him
where
received
camp,
silence.
in
Hers
not
the only bleeding heart
was
Her

fears

were

realized.

''

"

A
ing,
overwhelmdisaster
so
valley of Sannois.
the usually boisterous
so
universal, had reduced
to despairing quietude.
They gathered
negroes
the mother
with mute
offers of sympathy ;
around
stretched
out the contorted
went
one
limbs, another
him
of
to the wrecked
a casket
workshop and made
cedar wood
dug a grave beneath the mango; another
the ford.
tree above
That
evening they bore him
the fruited
all the
gently to his rest beneath
mango,
slaves joining in the procession. Jo- jo had been the
favorite
few
a
playfellow of Josephine ; he was
and digthe white child,and grave
nified
years older than
Next
to Adee, he had held a
beyond his age.
and trusted.
to be loved
place in her heart, as one
Her first inquiry,after the noon-day siesta,was
for

the

'

26

JOSEPHINE.

her

to tell him

big

he

And

*'He
head

good

her

nature

child

words

to take

truthful
but

there

she could
Jo-

that

me

said

was

not

were

believed
a

in

veiled

have

Her

her

own

plicitly
im-

nurse

something

understand.

jo should

burying her
sleeping, a

away."
inquiringly.

her

; she

he is free ? "

Adee,

you

him

me,

now

; "when

regarded

was

was

his mamma,

already,"

hands

came

man

The

left

has
in

promised

and

us

; it

matter

no

papa

he will leave

Adee, I wish
flowers
; only the
birthday, was
my
if
Jo- jo. I wonder

Bring Jo- jo to
No
free.
fete,no

is

; but

storm

it not

her

"

companion.

in

her

It seemed

ible
incred-

without

bidding

gone

farewell.

said, calmly, with a suspicion of fear

her heart ;
the
was
Adee, who
creeping around
it
good man
; was
le Bon
chere it was
Die ; the good Lord
"Ah, ma
took little Jo jo." The
child clasped her hands, her
tears flowing silently.
then Jo- jo is free,is he not ? "
Then, Adee,
"Yes, child ; but do not think of it ; better not ;
he is happy now.
down
with me
to the
Come, come
Adee
forced
herself
to
bay. I will carry you."
which
smile, singing a favorite
always captured
song,
At

last

she

"

'

"

'

"

"

"

the hearts
"

Come,
She

of the little

my

will

Come,

Josephine rose

my

daxling, kiss
buy

you

fowl

dearest, kiss

ones

:"

your

and
your

sweetheart

rice ;

sweetheart."

submissively,and

Adee

took

her

to

28

JOSEPHINE.

of its former
ant
aspect of exuberplantationsomewhat
of the greatruins
the
fertility
; but, though
house
replanted in
were
removed, and the hill-slopes
the
neither
the giant trees
coffee and
nor
cane,
houses
were
replaced.
The
nature
was
exhausting and
struggle with
forces were
difficult to
depressing, for the elemental
control,and periodicallyburst their bounds, destroying
in a day or
it had taken
a
night what
years to
the victim
of
Thus
the planter became
create.
the
with
gloom and depression,and his wife worn
their
unceasing battle for life. Their great joy was
daughter. Year
by year, Josephine grew in grace
and beauty, developing into a sweet
and thoughtful
maiden
; full of the tenderness, the gentle gravity,
of the high-born Creole.
characteristic
so
At

the

woman's

were

crowned
so

Napoleon

small
never

she

was

almost

arrived

at

; not

and

so

ceased

beautiful
to admire

that
them.

in after

years

Although

her constant
breeze-caressed, from
exercise in open air,yet her complexion was
rich and
delicately-tinted.In short, she was
strong and
healthy, agile and supple, with a mind as free from
morbid
from
thoughts or impulses as her body was
taint of disease,or physical defect.
Her
still her companion ; Adee
had
was
nurse
kept pace with her mistress in the development of
the
a ripened Juno,
now
physical charms, and was

sun-kissed

and

ten

tall,but admirably proportioned,

a
flexile,graceful figure ; abundant
and feet
her shapely head ; her hands

stature

with
hair

of

age

29

JOSEPHINE.

companions and the despair of

She
lovers.
would-be
guarded her as tenderly as
she had been
during the first years of infancy, when
She was
more
given into her charge by the mother.
her all her time,
to her, since she gave
than mother
her own
rich life to be absorbed
allowed
by the other.
And
love
of
with
Josephine repaid her devotion
her friend and confidante,
equal measure
; she was
not her servant.
They were
inseparable, they took
long walks together, bathed in the same
pool beneath
the ceiba, sang
and danced
together.
It was
late one
during one of their long rambles
afternoon, when
they had penetrated into the valley
farther
than
adventure
usual, that they had an
made
which
a
great impression upon
Josephine.
from
the lower
vale
They had followed the stream
till it became
its source,
a
mere
rivulet,and near
perched on the side-hill under a great gommier tree,
of palm and
hut
leaves.
It was
little
saw
a
cane
than an ajoupa, or sylvan hut, to exterior view
more
;
but on
close approach it revealed
a substantial
struction
conand unexpected amplitude within.
In front
of some
of the ajoupa sat a woman
beneath
bower
of plantain
a
thirty-five years,
leaves.
was
Accompanying
Josephine and her nurse
a girl from
or Fort
Trois-Ilets,
Eoyal, probably her
father had a city house
at the latter, and
estate
at
the former
was
panion.
bourg, who
frequently her comShe was
than Josephine, this
a little older
Dubec
de Eivery, and belonged
lady, Aimee
young
envy

of her

female

"

"

to

one

of the oldest

families

of the

island.

80

JOSEPHINE.

proprietressof the hut invited them to enter,

and they wonderingly accepted her invitation.
She
Fille de Couleur, of attractive
was
a
appearance
;
a daughter of the
people,born with all the inherited
of Carib, Negro
charms
of the mingled blood
and
Her black eyes and hair had the purple
Caucasian.
tint bestowed
also
by the Carib ; her feet and hands
and
showed
delicacy the aboriginal
by their smallness
the
serpentine movements,
birthright. Her
of her
ness
figure, the silk-like smoothflowing curves
of her richly-tinted skin, all proclaimed her a
representative of the island's best and rarest type.*
clad in the holiday costume
of the richest
She was
in color
and
revels
of her
class, which
startling
The

On

effects.
*^

Madras,"

skirt

head

her

mouchoir

"

douillette

or

shoulders

was

silk ; and

she

was

foulard
well

this, as

of

as

turban

of

brightest colors
violet

of
or

wore

silk ;

gay
; her

her

over

shoulder-scarf,of costly
the
tiirban, was
mented
ornaand
^^trembling-pins.''

gold brooches
of the forest ; but
She appeared a veritable
queen
she was
really a priestessof Obeah.
did not come
You
for that purpose," she said to
themselves
wooden
them, as
they seated
upon
with

'^

benches

^'

you

did

not

to have

come

prognosticated,but to-day they will be

her touch, as
from
The girlsshrank
*

and

Josephine,
it is

given

kowever,
descent.

when

at

in various
makes

the

Navarre, repeated
biographies
prophetess

of

of

the

this

fortunes

your
told

she ventured

story,

in

Empress.

Carib, rather

you."

than

substance,

Island
of

tion,
tradi-

African,

31

JOSEPHINE.

; but

to take

their

hands

Adee, herself of the

class of

mixed-bloods, reassured

them

and

bade

same

them

to be afraid.

not
"

should

Why

that

I shall

both

to

be

be afraid

you

give

to both
:

queens

France, the other in

This preposterous
and

their courage,

at first attend

long

and

of

one

yes,

And

Oriental

an

you

harem."

announcement

at

restored

once

girlsentered with zest

occasion.
Yes," proceeded
their levity, *'good fortune
*^

both

you

stormy

of you.

good fortune
first,you are
will reign in

the

spirit of the
sibyl, frowning at
the

It is a

; each

voyage

into
the
will

of

will make
you
will at first marry

; each

; but

eventually one will be released by the

death of her husband, the other will be captured by
Algerian piratesand sold to the slavery of the Sultan
will acquire great influence
She
of Turkey.
with
sit on
the throne ;
him, and her son will afterwards
As for you," addressbut she will die miserably.
ing
for you, it is written
in the stars
as
Josephine,
the bride of the greatest man
will become
that you
has
world
the modern
seen.
No, he is not yet in
happily

'^

'^

the world's

eye

; his

when

yours.

But

beneath

the horizon.

do not
The

shake

yours

Go

will

rise coincident

sinks, then

his

also

with
sets

; I have

spoken ; you
believe me
yet twenty years."
; but wait, wait
trembling girls departed, vainly striving to
off the

evil

mysterious woman.
of the sibyl was
in the

star

memoirs

effect of

now

this intercourse

Whether
ever

or

uttered, the

of the queen

not

this

with

prediction

incident

; it cannot

the

be

is found

ignored.

32

JOSEPHINB.

Mademoiselle

Aimee,

captured
and

by

became

Algerian
the

hammeds,

is

said,
sold

corsairs,

mother

of

Selims,

or

it

was,

with

to

the

of

one

subsequently

whom

the

Sultan,
Mo-

numerous

has

Turkey

been

cursed.
Silent
to

and
sucrerie

the

behind
the

path,

hill.

uttered

^Bon

disappeared.

crossing

black

shrill

^'

herself,

that

Die,

island

the

set,
Cross

Southern

the
of

crest

had

sun

the

pursued

they

the

them

their
and

subdued,

stars
stood

bird
shriek

the

patois

sight

muttered

DiahlotinJ^

for

were

still

swooped
at

Dii^,^^^
was

valley

Dieu.

path
out,
above

across

of

them,

Adee,

83

JOSEPHINE.

V.

CHAPTEK
DIAMOND

AT

Diahlotin,
mountain, where,
The

for itself.

hole

or

at

Devil-bird,has its home in the

the very summit,
it burrows
a
than

More

ROCK.

hundred

two

years

ago

discovered,yet to-day it is as mysterious as

in the mountain
As night fa] ". the lone dweller
ever.
drawing his net,
valley,or the soUtary fisherman
hears a shriek, as of a despairingsoul, sees
a
dusky
he crosses
by him ; that ic all. Then
figure sweep
himself, saying : ^^The Devil-bird is a- wing, and I
For days the apprehension of
seek a shelter."
must
evil to befall will cling to him
more
firmly does
; no

it

was

"

the Oriental

in the malific

beUeve

eye.
In

reality,the Diablotin
speciesof petrel,its home
haunts

over

the

turbulent

is
in
sea.

the

virtue

of the evil

harmless

bird, a
mountain-top, its
But

Adee

was

firm

would
something harmful
this chance
result from
meeting with the Devil-bird ;
and when, that night, Madame
La-Pagerie told her
to
decided
to send Josephine away
that it had been
verified.
school, she felt her fears were
O
(addressing Josephine by the
Yeyette mi
of the household), and throwing her arms
pet name
her

in

conviction

that

"

"

34

JOSEPHINE.

around
leave

her

"

neck

Adee

dear

your

fille,
you

Yeyette, ma
What

the

can

will

schools

not

teach

how
to dance, to
already know
sing, to play the tambou, to embroider, to whistle
like the
like the birds, to run
agouti ? Never, never
will you be so happy as you
are
now.
Stay with us,
Yeyette."
Madame
La-Pagerie smiled sadly, but, untwining
of the loving pair, drew
the arms
Josephine to her
side and set before her the necessity of attending to
You
her commands.
are
now
a
large girl,my
taught you all it is possible, encumbered
darling, I have
Do

you

not

you

*'

as

am

education

your

will not

here

return

Adee

be

shall go

with

the

of your

care

be finished

must

at the

two

sisters

It

convent.

long separation, and besides you

week, spending a day with
every
with

you

and

return

with

you,

can
us.

if you

desire."

flowing, for it cost her a great

her
effort to part, even
eldest
temporarily, from
so
helpful to her : a
daughter. She had been
companion rather than a little child ; yet
womanly
in romp
frolic. Josephine
withal so ready to engage
or
her
kissed
missively,
subsaid nothing, but
mother
led to her
and
chamber
was
by Adee,
There
the two wept together,
blinded by her tears.
Her

and

tears

consoled

were

each

separation should
the great scheme
would
There

return
were

other
not
of

with
be

that the

assurance

long time, and that,

education
finished, Yeyette

to live with
two

for

the

convents

them
of

all her

life.

repute in Martinique,

36

JOSEPHINE.

carried

by

stout

service

of

their

the daughters
negro-laborers,were
of the house
of La-Pagerie, gay
and laughing.
They took the valley path until it ended at a break
towards
in the hills,whence
the
they descended
in deep shade, owing
Hitherto
to the
sea.
open
of their
departure, the sun burst upon
early hour
them
at the hill-crest,
and
illumining the blue ocean
peaks, of the
gilding the spires, the mountain
distant
also M. Tascher
island of St. Lucia, where
had a plantation. The girls caught their breath
at
the beauty of the scene
spread out before them,
with
clapped their hands
joy at sight of the new
full of elation
at their feet.
world
Josephine was
at the prospect of soon
meeting with her devoted
breezes
fanned
her hair
The cool morning
nurse.
and
darted
cheeks, the gilt-crestedhumming-birds
her head.
and played around
Sweet
at her hammock
odors
of honeysuckle
and
frangipanni, jessamine
and acacia, filled the air, and
the birds, the wrens
and siffleurs,
caroled
to her as she passed them
by.
With
heart
a
bursting with gladness and filled
with thanksgivings, the girlreclined in her hammock,
dreamily noting the shifting phases of the gliding
The
of
wild songs
joyous slaves sang
panorama.
their native
Africa, their deep bassos reverberating
in the gorges,
as
they swung
along, happy in the

now

wild

or

descending the
the ancient

file,strode

drum,

mistress.

tambou, made

animal

over

the

At

the

of the procession,

He

carried

by stretching a skin
head

of

Indian

trail in

narrow

African.

head

hollowed

of

small
some

log.

As

37

JOSEPHINE.

the

sea

opened

to their

view

he

sent

out

warning to the dwellers in the valley :

heard
It was
and
tarn, tarn, tarn."
'^
La
Poum, poum,
poum.^'
poum,
shouted
^^The
the
hammock-bearers,
African
dance.
will have
a
Ah, we

''

'^

note

of

Tarn, tarn,
answered

caUenda!"

dance, the
good time,

soon."

Thus, elated with

anticipation of a feast and
hastened
dance, the negroes
forward, and soon
they
had
reached
the shore, where
the hills had
drawn
their

feet

beach, backed
cocoa

from

away

by

the

sea

fertile meadow

and

and

left

curving

bordered

with

palms.

Beneath

the

palms

collection

of

huts,
sides and
with
wattled
rounded
deep-thatched roofs, surwith
gardens of tropical fruits. Here
and
lived the freed negroes
colored people of that
district,and, standing in the doorway of one of the
the
newest
of the huts, was
Junoesque figure of
In her arms
Adee.
was
an
infant, a twelvemonth
child, naked as a god, golden in hue as the boy the
Guiana
Indians
offered to the king of El Dorado.
With
to welcome
forward
a loud
cry of joy, she ran
her darling Yeyette, casting the astonished
infant
into
and
the hammock,
clasping the girl in her
was

grass

arms.
^^

my
see

each
into

Ah, Yeyette mi,

darling,light of my eyes,
heart's idol ! Adee
thought she would never
again." They laughed and cried,holding
you
then at arm's
other close, and
length, gazing
the
of joy. When
tears
filled with
eyes
my

88

JOSEPHINB.

had

paroxysm
and

infant
another

passed,

led the

way

Adee

picked

to her

house.

the

up
Her

golden

husband,

specimen of the mixed

race, a
brown-skinned
introduced, and soon
Adonis, was
refreshments
A
were
brought the tired travelers.
little black boy climbed
tree and cast down
a cocoanut
water-nuts," then descending, he clipped off
some
the pointed end of each, leaving a small round
hole,
opening into the ivory geode, filled with sweetest
magnificent

'^

water.
this

Drinking
and

after

trees

they

the

clear

nectar, they

hammocks

all took

summoned

slung

were

brief
to

rest, after
straw-

refreshed,

were

beneath

which

the

the
itors
vis-

thatched

pavilion,
where, spread upon a table, was a banquet, prepared
of the Tropics. The
air was
with all the luxuries
perfumed with the fragrance of pine-apples,bananas,
were

soups

savory

and

delicious

desserts.

M.

Tascher

presided, his eldest daughter sat at his right hand,

with her sisters opposite,while the happy Adee, her
and
the
husband,
prettiest girls in the hamlet,
them.
Breakfast
waited
having been served,
upon
and the attendants
having disposed of their duties
siesta was
for the day, a short
indulged in, after
all repaired to a near
which
palm grove, to witness,
and take
of the
part in, if so desirous, the dance
day. Seated upon the ground, with a back-ground
the aged African
of netted
who
had
lianes, was
between
been
their guide. He took a large tambou
his knees and began the preliminary call to the calienda:
tam-tam-tam,
tam-poumr^
Poum^ poum;
"

89

JOSEPHINE.

The

hollow

rolled

along the plain and through

the
woods, rising and
falling, diminishing and
swelling, with a weird and powerful effect. Billows
of sound, deep muttering
of distant thunder, wild
as
calls of night-birds, melancholy wailings of wanderto be evoked
from
that
spirits: all thesS seemed
mg
skin-covered
log. A peculiar quality of the tambouvast
roU is,that it traverses
distances, penetrates
of forest, impelling the listener to seek
great areas
out

sound

its source,
and

wild

with

to assemble

brothers
^*

Old

calienda.

savage

his

Fou-fou

for the
"

(the

Crazy-crazy) had

African
an
acquired the art from
of a coast-tribe ; and
a great chief
""icestor,himself
of the subtle, fascinating, and awe-inspirby means
ing
roll of the tambou,
his royal forbear
thunder

had

often

called

his tribe to

to America

with

war.

the

imported slaves, the

still supplies the
his simple
tambou
with
negro
evoked
music, supplemented sometimes
by that
and
from
calabash
gourd.
old Crazy-crazy had so
Not
for many
had
years
of the
distinguished an audience, and the presence
of
his charming
master
Sannois, together with
daughters, inspired him to unprecedented feats of
The
skill.
growled and groaned,
protestingtambou
and moaned, sent its wail afar and its muflSed
howled
Brought

sighs deep
^'

Hark

sigh
heart
In

into
!"

of the
of the

earth.

the

cried

Adee, '4t

demon-

is the voice

jombie, who

of

Pelee, the

lives in the

crater-

great volcano."

truth, it seemed

the

very

earth

was

trembling

40

JOSEPHINE.

fancy they heard

the ominous
mutterings of a coming earthquake,
For
the earthquake was
and
no
they shuddered.
stranger to the dwellers in Martinique.
old Fou-fou
Then
sat astride the drum, tapping it
with his finger-tips,
caressing if with rapid passes of
his hands, and
and
then
now
punishing it with a
almost

the

vicious

kick

of his

in

song,

listeners

awed

the

could

He

heel.

naked

which

of

chorus

broke

the

into

age
sav-

assembled

joined :

negroes

"

"

Oh, yoie-yoie ;
Oh, misse-ah,
bel

tambouye,

Ai'e,ya, yaie,
Joli

The

music

in

ended

Tambouye."

prolonged roll,dying to a
fainter, until lost in the

sigh, fainter and

African
forest-depths. The
a

moan,

prone

fell

from

the

ground, and with a sigh

left him, seeking more
cheerful

upon

auditors

Before

the

huts

his

drum

of relief his
ment.
entertain-

sand, hot and

of midday ; but beginning to
glisteringin the sun
be cool in the shadows
of the cliffs,
as mid-afternoon
reached.
The waves
was
gently lapped its golden
in their foam,
to wade
floor,inviting the children
to embark

upon

Isolate
so,

rose

in the
a

lay

of

their bosom.
waters

of

great rock,

like

feet in

crescent

height.

or
bay, a mile away
hunpyramid, and five dred

the
a

Diamond

Rock

42

JOSEPHINE.

from

gommier
quickly brought
tree, was
around
from
the river, and into it they all climbed,
with cries of joy. Three
sailors paddled so
bronze
under
the lee of the Eock,
soon
lustilythat they were
and
rift. There
was
shortly ashore, in a sheltered
not much
to see
at the marge,
so
Yeyette wished to
around
climb
the narrow
the
wound
path, which
huge

cliff like
'^

we

I don't
can

go

the rock
'^

thread.

she

was

her

father, who

already

follow

have

^^

Adee

care,

but

child

my

me," cried

hundred

had
and

saw

But

safe,"said

steep."

fear, but

rock,

be

little way.

is very

Never

it would

think

feet up
hidden

been

shouted

to her

Yeyette, and
the height before
behind
a
ing
project-

to descend.

She

to him, but
laughed and kissed her hand
climbed
ruptly
breathlessly on.
Half-way up, the trail abended
been
dislodged in some
; the rock had
earthquake. The shelf of rock upon which she stood
she
could
not
was
so
narrow
turn, and glancing
her fearfully,she caught sight of the white
about
hundred
feet below, snarling at the base
two
waves,
of the precipice. This
her
sight made
dizzy ; her
head
who

her.

reeled, she

below

leaping

waves,

then,

retreated
from

fallen, had

not

Adee,

behind, quickly caught and steadied

only, they hung above the whitemoment,

have

close

was

fanged

would

her

Sobered

to

held

in

broader

and
her

at

gnawing
nurse's

ledge, where

arms,

she

fright.
by this incident,she descended

the

rocks

Josephine
recovered

to

join the

48

JOSEPHOCNE.

group

below,

which

to

her

rebuke

in

his

shoulder,

was

love

too

was

entirely
The

this

for

and

planter

his

the

hill-crests

made

in

them

with

the

flickered

strange

still

above

life

for

and

whose
devoted

was

and

the

lurked,

perfumes

of

at
of

it

serpents

his

head

the

tamhou

pulsated,
in

Old

all

dream-land.

gum,

and

Fou-fou,
the

throbbed
the

night,

was

which
the

of

recesses

wild

of

reached

accompanied

villagers

illumined

home.

descent

their

fitfully

noises.

they

ere

gommier

nocturnal

the

their

for

fragrant

heavy

beach,

refreshment,

waves

the

the

to

departed
the

But

the

journey

whose

his

refuge

parent,

of

where

as

what

La-Pagerie,

dusk.

and

bling
Trem-

against

tender

tarry

beneath

set

music
air

with

arms.

swiftly

daughters

marched
weird

and

his

hidden

realized

them

brief

torches

out

came

face

words,

bore
a

had

sun

in

words

no

happiness.

after

woods,

her

grave

deep

having

her

then

canotiers

whence,

folded

embrace,

her

to

father,

her,

Josephine

strength

The

and

from

which
and

flowers
who
company

through

through

had

covered,
re-

the
the

phine's
Jose-

44

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTEE
LA

"

Nature,

fields with

variety of

rich

VI.
CREOLE.

BELLE

and

has

sumptuous,

covered

as
carpeting, which charms
its colors as its objects. She
of our
rivers with flowers, and

the

banks

the

freshest

forest

around

well

our

by

has

the

strewn

has

planted

fertile borders.

our

I
.

myself in the green woods that skirt our

dwelling-place."
wrote
Thus
Josephine to a friend of her youth.
She was
unspoiled by society, untouched
by the
love

to hide

vanities

of

everything

around

contributed

to

to look

ahead

She

the world.

her
of

was

her, sentient
enjoyment

our

narrative

some

child
or

of

nature

inanimate,
If

we

twenty

were

years,

Malmaison, that retreat in

she hastened
at every
France
to which
opportunity
the cares
of the
when
she could escape
court, and
she
where
finally passed her closing days, we
find ample evidence
should
that her love for nature
When
she
her.
went
to
was
yet strong within
she
France, either on her first or second voyage,
took with
her such
specimens of the plants around
endeared
to her by the perfumes
La-Pagerie as were
of their flowers, or to which
attached
she was
from
and

transfer

our

view

to

"

45

JOSEPHINE.

sentimental

**The

associations.

gardens

maison, during

her

lifetime, resembled

Eden.

her

daily

It

was

plants, to watch
she

called

her

over
*

habit

and

to

water

visit

them

of

Mal-

veritable

her

exotic

; and

great family,' displaying the

these
most

knowledge of their life,history and names,

and
sometimes
playfully rallying the Emperor
his ignorance of botany."
From
(Napoleon) upon
received
she
presents of rare
plants ;
source,
every
but that which
to her was
was
particularlyendeared
she herself had
carried
the amarylto France,
one
lis gtgantea, and
which
attracted
great attention,
from
the beauty and
This
fragrance of its flowers.
royal plant grew in profusion around
La-Pagerie ;
and a thousand
others
adorned
the slopes of the hills
the stream
and bordered
flowing past the sucrerie.
After
her conventual
life at Fort Eoyal, with
now
the placid waters
of the society
and then
a dip into
at the plantagathered at the Capital,her residence
tion
there
is
monotonous
might have seemed
; but
of this in the imperfect records
of this
evidence
no
a healthy and
period of her youth. Hers was
tionally
excephappy nature, with no craving for what
hidden
her view, and no
from
was
yearning after
It
is in seclusion
unattainable.
the presumably
her
such as that in which
passed, that
youth was
and
been
nurtured.
have
the greatest men
women
intimate

"

Nature
cast
her
of

is

generous

themselves

upon

fonts.
primeval
the
no
city, with

mother
her

to those
bosom

Without

and
the

who

will

imbibe

but
from

distractions

dissipating demands

from

46

JOSEPHINE.

their time to addchildren

devote
ing
society,nature's
of the things immediately
to their knowledge
of observaabout
tion,
them, to widening their powers
in truth, to becoming
acquainted with the
All
great and primal facts, the eternal verities.
is cumulative
knowledge
; during long centuries,
had been writing her book, for this child to
nature
read.
During generations past and preceding, her
the best about
had
ancestors
gathered to themselves
"

and

them,
In

had

transmitted

her, first,their

rich

her

to

and

the

increment.
lives

generous

found

their Amaranth.
It was
expression : Josephine was
this strong hold on nature, this stability
derived from
virile ancestry, that enabled
stand
a
Josephine to withthe assaults
of innumerable
foes, during the
perial
period of the Kevolution, the Directory, and the Imregime.
At fifteen years
fulfilled all
of age, Josephine had
the expectations of those who
had watched
the budding
charms
of her infancy and
childhood.
The
bud
had opened into bloom
of rarest worth
; the heart of
the rose
not
and
sweet
was
more
fragrant than her
Like
fresh loveliness.
the flowers
around
her, she
bloomed

for

her

of

The
one

delectation
Like

beauty.

of her
grace

the

another

as

were

in her

joyeuse,^^she

well

those

who

them, also, she

as

all devoted

praise.

hold
be-

might
was

scious
uncon-

displayed itself in her

in purel3rphysical symmetry.

loveliness,which

manner

slaves

of

''

flitted in

to

her,

and

vied with

Toujour

content,

and

their

out

jour
tou-

humble

47

JOSEPHINE.

cabins, an angel of
joyous spiritto the
The
to the

La

but

and

There

there.

is

no

old

and

that

decrepit,a

well.

extended

aunt,

insisted

who

the

Creole,^^was

Belle

her

where

as

young,

island-bounds

to France,

her

^'

of

fame

to

mercy

seas,

Eenaudine,
niece

evidence

confined
the

across

Madame
her

not

to

should

show

sided,
re-

join

that

phine
Jose-

desirous,at first,of going to France, but

indicate
her
much
to
great unwillingness. Her
her
mother, having in mind
future, and knowing
and
only too well the terrible cares
responsibilities
of plantation life, was,
most
favorably impressed
from
the aunt, and soon
took
underwith the invitation
her daughter for the voyage.
to prepare
not cold nor
She
was
calculating ; but she may
heed
to the aunt's
have
taken
suggestion that it
was

time

was

for

her

selected

already

there
born

was

the

the

and

to marry,

worthy companion
The

Beauharnais.
.

of

parish church
that

of young

person

niece

Saint

Louis,

of

Alexandre

for

she

had

her, in the

records

of the

at Fort

Eoyal, show
fant
June, 1760, an in-

baptized there, in
month
preceding, upon
name

that

de

whom

was

stowed
be-

Beauharnais.

this
was
Eenaudine,
Josephine's aunt, Madame
the
infant's godmother, and later,in France, became
of the Marquis
de Beauharnais,
the child's
wife
father.
The

year,

Marquis de Beauharnais, then

of Martinique, left for France
but

his

son

Josephine's aunt

was

and

acting as governor
the
following
committed
to the charge of
de
her grandmother, Madame

48

JOSEPHINE.

residing at Fort Royal. When

La-Pagerie, then
attending school at the convent, as
Josephine was
of the holidays with
she passed her nights and some
have
heard
her grandmother, she must
a great deal
Alexander
met
of the young
him, as he
; but never
*

to France

sent

was

while

of

This, then, is the extent

of these

young

in the bonds
We

of

will

they

not

passed

ones

of

at

soon

; but

La-Pagerie.
and

her

aunt

of her mother

for

nearly

her

even

entreaties

parents,

the

Creoles, who were

matrimony.
anticipate the

all too

came

young.

very

sorrowful

days, for
the happy

again to
Josephine resisted

turn

the

year,

though

acquaintanceship
later to be joined

disinterested
content

thus

advice

to dwell

isolated

the

from

with
the

society. Her life was

simple and regulated
according to the Creole itinerary : in the morning

world

the

of

cool

bath

in

little duties

to the

followed
of

by

the stream
of the
the

visits with

; the

household

siesta
the

forenoon
;

noon

; late afternoon

dwellers

devoted
fast,
to breakto interchange

neighboring
estates, and evening to dinner and social recreation,
such
as
music, reading, and especially dancing, of
which
Josephine was
inordinately fond.
almost
secluded
as
as
Although La-Pagerie was
the
dwelt
that unhappy
Happy- Valley" in which
Prince
of Abyssinia, yet, she did not sigh, like Rasits
selas, for the world
outside, nor
try to burst
The
''Prince"
to the valley,
came
rocky bounds.
though, tradition tells us, and carried away with him
ineffaceable
an
impression of her charms.
^^

on

60

JOSEPHINE.

into the chill water.

Great
cautiously ventured
bowlders
ringed the pool around, but in its center
about
of sand, where
the water
was
was
a bed
up to
A
of
their shoulders
as
they stood erect.
group
ecrevisse
or
crajrfish had gathered here, but at
sight of the invaders they scampered to the shelters
of the rocks, whence
they peered out sullenly,wriggling
their feelers nervously.
One, bolder than the
rest, sallied forth and nipped the future
empress'
and
it was
little toe, thinking
a
rightly that

and

"

"

"

"

bonne-bouche

worth

some

risk

to reach.

Josephine shrieked and fell into the water, where

she lay immersed, all but her dainty head, while the
maid
sought out and chased back to his retreat the
bold

freebooter

of the stream.

the
Floating in ecstatic abandon
thus, beneath
of flower
and
leaf, Josephine
o'erarching mosaic
was
espied by a diminutive
humming-bird,
who,
She
with shrill chirps of alarm, darted
at her face.
he
as
instinctivelyshielded her eyes with one hand
he poised himself
foot
flew so swiftly at her ; but
a
a-wing in mid-air, still uttering his angry
away,
chirps of indignant protest.
halo
of mist
about
His buzzing wings formed
a
the emerald
gleamed
body, and his pointed helmet

like

*'He

gem.
must

have

nest

the

near," said

*^yes,there it is,right over

your
there's his little wife, sitting,I
eggs." She reached up and drew
liane,at which the female darted

maid;
Look, and

face.
dare

say,

down
away,

on

their

length of
revealing,

61

JOSEPHINE.

inside

dainty

and

small

as

'^

of lichen-covered

cup

white

two

eggs

pearls.

as

^^

down,

exclaimed

petit,

Josephine, as she rose

Don't
touch
to look at them.
them, Fifine ; don't
harm
the little darlings. Come, we'll go away
; our
here disturbs
these pretty creatures."
presence
with
the
The
little husband
gilded crest had
in a loop of liane, where
he sat
perched himself
her
Josephine and
watching ; but as
companion
the bowlder
which
turned
towards
they had
upon
their robes, he darted
before
them
thrown
swift as
his
eccentric
ments,
movelight. His excited manner,
and his alarm-cries, attracted
their attention.
than
their mere
had
more
Something
presence
caused
this sudden
denly
Sudchange in his behavior.
he darted
downward
; rose, dropped again ;
his cries were
now
mingled with another
sound,
hiss of the serpent.
the dreaded
Don't
Look, Yeyette, there ! close to my robe.
Die ! It is the Fer-de-Lance
!
you see ? Ah, Mon
terrible
that
Stunned, stupefied,Josephine saw
its broad
flat head, its darting
apparition ; saw
with
tongue of flame, its slimy folds ; and, overcome
Pauv^

^'

"

"

"

the

of

horror

its presence,

fainted

in her

servant's

arms.

The

maid

retreated

pool,supporting
her

own

limbs

her

to

the

deeper

precious burden

benumbed

and

water

with

of

the

difficulty,

chilled.

quickly. To the bathing*'Help! help! Come

Yeyette has fainted !
place. The serpent is here.
She sent her cries out into the morning air ; but
"

62

at

JOSEPHINE.

first there
in

away

the

was

no

The

response.

fields,and

negroes

Tascher

M.

had

gone

were

to

Trois-Ilets.
the

gallant humming-bird
persisted
in his attack
the common
wellfoe, with
upon
of his needle-pointed beak.
Swift
directed thrusts
as
again and again to the
lightning, he returned
attack, blinding the serpent with repeated thrusts,
into his eyes, and
like javelins thrown
eluding his
fangs by the dexterity of his movements.
angry
at diversion
The
attempts
humming-bird's
only
for a moment
partiallysucceeded, however
; never
did the serpent lose sight of his prospective prey in
the water.
Slowly, yet surely, he glided towards
the half- fainting Fifine and her unconscious
charge.
swim!
can
''Holy Mother; and the Fer-de-Lance
He
will surely reach us ; then
there was
But
retreat ; the great rocks hemmed
no
her in ; the serpent was
within
feet of her.
a dozen
last cry for help,
In sheer
despair Fifine sent one
echo caught and returned
which
to her.
a mocking
Meanwhile,

"

But
' '

hark

Where

Was

!
are

you

that

not
?

Who

an

answer

is it ?

?"

What

at the

at once.
bathing-place. Oh, come
lost ! The
It was
We
are
serpent
already
entering the water ; slowly each sinuous fold melted
of its victim, the Fer-deinto the pool ; as if,sure
wished
to prolong the
Lance
enjoyment of her

"Here

"

"

agony.

There

crashing

"^as

of the

sound

of

bushes

on

approaching
the

brink

footsteps, a
a

man's

face

53

JOSEPHINE.

In

appeared.
the

one

swift

There

situation.

glance

was

loud

its

took

owner

report

; the

in

surface

into
foam
torn
by plunging shot ;
pool was
the water, mangled
the serpent lay stretched
upon
of the
robes
and bleeding. Quickly snatching one
from
the rock, the rescuer
plunged into the pool,
of Josephine, as
the maid's
the form
enwrapping
relaxed
their hold, and
nerveless
bore
her to
arms
He was
the bank.
about
her
to chafe
stooping over
Fifine in
hands, when, turning to look back, he saw
at the moment
of
greater peril. She had fainted
drifted against
rescue
; the body of the serpent had
her breast, a repulsive object, that slimy, checkered
beautiful
Dian's
as
as
skin, against a form
own,
in hue.
the work
It was
of
though golden bronze
her
the water, and
moment
from
a
only to draw

of the

"

on

the

itself.

Her

once

escaped

her

bank

eyehds
lips. At
the

hasten

her

robust

asserted

quivered, a tremulous
sigh
the first sign of returning consciousness,
desisted

rescuer

the recovery

constitution

of

her

from

mistress,

his
and

labors

to

withdrew.

caught a glimpse of his retreating form, as

she was
her
she opened her eyes, but as soon
as
on
ment
feet he had disappeared. Forgetting, in the exciteall else than
that
of that moment,
Yeyette
all her enerin need of her assistance, she bent
gies
was
Fifine

to life. She
was
soon
warded.
rebring her back
looked
Josephine opened her eyes and
Placing a finger warningly
wonderingly about her.
her
to keep silence,
her
on
lips, Fifine cautioned
and
her
the
the
pool, where
standing between
to

54

JOSEPHINE.

of

floated,

still

serpent
the

dreadful

their

made
the

The

in

serpent

La-Pagerie

had

having

no

barely
Tascher

Madame

them,

unknown

have

might
They

before

towards

she

accident.

composure,

their

that

been

sent

reminder
recovered

ing
fly-

came

thither

by

savior.*

description

of

1878,

on

while

from

slaves.

tradition,

the

bathing-pool

the

Sannois

as

narrated

from

is

and

estate,

by

the

author's

the

adventure

descendant

of

notes,
with

one

of

the

The

Ancienne

Cuisine

56

JOSEPHINB.

the latter part of

May, in the year 1778,

to give his
the proprietor of La-Pagerie decided
family the pleasure of a picnic on the slopes of the
he
preparations which
higher hills. The extensive
to one
considered
at
a smile
might cause
necessary
the present day, when
of a hundred
miles
excursions
Toward

are

taken

to the

almost

dweller

on

of

one

day

tree.

the

manage

of whom

"

and

event

was

to clear

group

carry

the

body
holiday,

trail and
the

well-

detained

was

equipment

reserved

was

mentous,
mo-

to have

Another

hostlers.

; but
as

ridges beneath

still another

party, while

moment

to France.

before

and

canoes

the

were

the lateral

maroon-

the

journey

the

' '

known

the

ahead

sent

space

to

as

slaves, the bulk

was

of

spur

Trois-Ilets

at

almost,
of

the

on

as

of

mock-bearer
ham-

For

nearly a week,
Madame
de La-Pagerie had been extremely busy in
preparing the food for the expedition : in issuing
invitations
to the
proprietors of adjacent estates,
and

also

to

last, all

was

gathered
canoes,

ready

at the

and

of

some

the

residents

the younger

members

excitement.

The

the Fort.

At

daylight, the expectant people

at

shore, transferred

set off

of

across

the

of the
French

bay. All were

party bubbling

character

to the

happy,
over

asserted

with
itself

lights
speculation as to the dehills to which
of the unknown
they were
going,
in frolic,jest and
repartee. The
largest canoe,
hewn
slaves, from
by the labor of M. Tascher's own
of the mountainthe
a monarch
forests, contained
La-Pagerie family and that of the proprietor of an

in

bursts

of song,

in wild

themselves

67

JOSEPHINE.

adjacent

estate

exile

an

means,

Sannois, an English gentleman of

temporarily from his country, owing
to

to his adherence

to

defeated

cause.

had
become
gentleman and his wife, who
well-known
missed
through their hospitality,shall be disthis passing mention
with
; but not so their
This

son,

about

man

young

two

Josephine, who then appeared to

of all the manly
virtues.
Her
movement

every

as

he

the

years
her

of

the embodiment

eyes

assisted

senior

watched

the ladies

his

to their

a seat
places in the canoe, and for him she reserved
was
by her side,which he appropriated as the canoe
while the gay party
And
the shore.
pushed off from
is being ferried across
to the Fort, let us
inquire
which
leads them
to
why this apparent attachment
to that of the others.
prefer their own
company

In

word

arrival

this

was

the

at

whose
the young
man
bath, on that fateful

tune
oppor-

morning
when
the serpent had
appeared, had probably saved
the life of the eldest daughter of La-Pagerie.
from
He had
himself
vation,
obsermodestly withdrawn
after w:"rning and
Madame
accompanying
de La-Pagerie to the pool ; but he could not conceal
his identity. After Josephine's complete recovery,
sent for him, and
had
she had
thanked
him, with
all that grace

the heart
Was

of

of the

it strange
her

devoted

which

manner

of

conqueror

that

and
was

years

ured
capt-

Europe.

the young
man
slave, that his heart

hers, that love, ardent

possessionof his being ? And,

meet

in after

was

forth
thence-

leaped out to
irresistible,took

it to be wondered

58

JOSEPHINE.

that, viewing him

at

might lead

who

one

*'

in France

court

It is certain
and

that

her

from

her

parents
what
might

him

interval

her

has
own

also

as

power,

anxious

very

divert

to

hopeless passion.
impressionable, both were

become

both

young,

that

her, as
at

capacity for love."

with great favor,

vast

were

exteriorlyattractive, and
companionship.
each
They had known
but

of her

source

in

her

were

shone

afterwards

she viewed

that

be awakened

be said of

might

The

weakness, lay

of her

Both

It

to love ?

said of

been

should

in him

interest

an

rescuer,

did, in the light of

she

as

both

were

since

other

of absence

for

eager

genial
con-

hood,
earliest child-

had

separated them,
in England.
His recent return,
while he was
away
in the
excursion
his hunting
valley of Sannois,
had
led him
which
to his fate,they could
but
not
than
fortuitous.
Lovers
regard as more
always
themselves

surround
:

an

from

the

with

beginning

cloud

of the

of occult

ing
reason-

world, they have

divinely led.
of reasoning to
They did not follow out this mode
its inevitable
ending ; but their parents did. From
different
motives, the parents of each were
opposed
be a desirable
to what
match.
apparently would
They cast anxious
glances at the young
couple,
to their surroundings, even
aware
unalready oblivious
that the little god was
hovering over
them,
been

his

aimed

arrows

There
which

is

no

at their hearts.
more

Cupid plunges

blissful
his

state

intended

than

that

victims

into
:

the

59

JOSEPHrNB.

world

contracts, its
inhabit

horizon

shuts

them

this mundane

in ;

they
Josephine's

sphere.
the stage of obliviousness
lover had already reached
which
to surroundings
precedes the last and acute
Their
desire.
parents resolved to
stage of intense
blossom
in the bud, before it should
nip this would-be
be too late ; but for this day these two were
to be
of the
cruel
fate
together. They did not dr^am
doned
provided for them
by parental solicitude,but abanthemselves
to the pleasures of the day, and
of each other's society.
Fort
soon
Koyal was
reached, and at the shore
There
to
meet
friends
them.
was
they found
de La-Pagerie, at
Josephine's grandmother, Mme.
second
whose
house
she always had
home
a
; her
unmarried
aunt. Mile. Rosette de La-Pagerie, and
de Tascher,
her
father's influential
brother. Baron
only

two

known

as

Fort, then
the
his

the Chevalier.
considered

one

He

was

of

the

commander

possessions in the New

distinguished services in the
with

With

them,

the
the

Cross

of Saint

party

important of
World, and for

most

French

decorated

of the

army

had

been

Louis.

from

La-Pagerie

had

the maternal
on
brought Josephine's grandmother
de Sannois, who
to stay with
was
side, Madame
de La-Pagerie, at the Fort, while the younger
Mme.
in the hills. This old lady was
absent
members
were
then resident
in the valley of
the last of the name
had been
the dower
of her daughter
Sannois, which
the event of her marriage to M. Tascher, and had
on
descended

from

the first of the name,

who

had

come

60

JOSEPHINE.

from

Martinique

to

about

the

Three

happy

St.

of

Christopher,

1690.*

year

generations
reunion
that

island

the

who

Who

Fort.

at the

she

then

were

was

present
could

of the

one

that

at

have

cipated
anti-

youngest and

at

ness
only distinguished by her gayety and goodof heart, her happy smile
and
ments,
graceful moveof even
fame
the Baron
to eclipse the
was
about
and
Chevalier?
with
a
Josephine moved
admirers
smile of greeting for all ; she had
many
time

that

and

she

served

impression, except
she

whom

to

have

may

all alike.

them

was

been

it

None

had

made

any

the young
Englishman,
she
whom
indebted, and towards

unable

were

to conceal

her

inclination.

in waiting at the Fort,

ponies were
and
without
was
rising
losing time, as the sun
above
the lower
hills,the merry
people set off for
their
Three
of an
destination.
hours
ascending
trail finallybrought them
into the region of the
the air was
''high-woods," the hois grandes, where
the great trees met
and
fresh and cool, and
laced
intertheir giant arms
feet above
their
a hundred
Kichest
heads.
tapestry of tropical vegetation lay
beneath
them, covering the hills and slopes ; far
nished
gleamed the sea, a sheet of silver,its buraway
surface
as
by the morning
yet unruffled

Hammocks

and

breeze.

to

fields of

had
golden sugar-cane
yielded
the plants of the temperate
hills
clime ; in the footclumps of feathery bamboo, like huge plumes,

The

vast

"

Histoire

de

la

Martinique,^*

61

JOSEPHINE.

succeeded

Cocoa
by the tree-ferns.
palms, which
everywhere along the coast, disappeared as the
grew
hills were
reached, and cheir places were
supplied
and
the mountain
by the palmiste, gru-gru,
palm.
In the
the immense
high woods
gommiers,
grew
feet

twenty
hew

and

across,

the

out

the

coast.

the

trails

from
which

canoes

The

which

they
of

the

eers
mountain-

sell to the

dwells

this tree is

fragrant,
incense
in the island churches, while
and is burnt
as
it by rolling
from
torches,long flambeaux, are made
the spicy resin in leaves of the balisier,or wild plantain.
and bush-ropes netted
the high forest
Lianes
together, making it impervious to travelers
except
ers

on

where
of

the

had

gum

been

cut, and

the

lush

leaves

orchidaceous

the
path.
plants hung across
The trail was
along the knife-edge of a lateral ridge
of the Pitons, which
finallyexpanded into a broad
the main
at its junction with
ered
mountain, covspace
with great tree-.
This miniature
plateau was
some

was

sent
here

three

thousand

and

cool

ahead

sweet.

the

that

so

The

the

and

who

of the

the air

had

had

been

camped

clear of underbrush,

swept the surface

trunks

and

the sea,

laborers, who

day before,

night, had

over

feet above

forest

giants

rose

through their canopies of leaves, like the groined

columns
of some
mighty temple.
hammocks
Here
the ponies and
dropped their
provised
burdens, hampers were
unpacked, rude tables imthe
balisier leaves
broad
spread upon
ground,

where

upon

the

older

blankets, while

members

of the

the younger,

party

after

clined
re-

many

62

JOSEPHINE.

cautions
the

plateau.
plantain

and

of

to beware
All

serpents and centipedes,ranged

finallygathered

leaves

with

covered

''

about
food

"

the

tables

and

drink,
delighted

have
that would
spread
climb
the heart
of a Lucullus, after such
those
as
a
had
Creoles
viands,
accomplished : all the native
de Lacooked
under
the superintendence of Mme.
France.
to dainties
imported from
Pagerie, added
with
the
Communication
mother
country, though
frequently interrupted by the English cruisers,in
and
war
time, was
freights were
by sailing-vessels,
of France
at the
were
low, so that all the luxuries
of Martinique, in exchange
doors
for her products
where

of

was

sugar,

coffee

and

After

rum.

the

breakfast

and
on
blanket, and then
siesta,in hammock
the games
leveled in
began. A smooth
space was
the
of the
center
the merry
children
clearing and
danced
till they were
not till late
was
tired, which
in the afternoon, when
the long shadows
of the trees

brief

warned

in

them

that

Josephine was
the canton,

children

with

an

it

was

time

to leave.

locallycelebrated
and

entered

abandon

into
that

was

as

the

the best

dancer

sports of the

infectious.

But,

early in the afternoon, seeing that William, her

not taking part with
English lover, was
esprit,she
he was
desisted and sought him
out, where
moping
against a gommier trunk.
He was
not unhappy, as she thought ; his natural
had
British heaviness
the
contrasted
so forciblywith
French
levity that she fancied him miserable, when
he was
only stupid. She did not know
then, what

64

JOSEPHINE.

It

for

enough

was

have

to

him

whole

one

they had
together ;

that

day

she would
any event
and were
For the others
had gone
him.
on
her
far down
the mountain-side
; he was
what

come

At
but

last it
had

felt

the

; what

came

dreaded

had
A

feet, around

earth

very

they

imminent.

was

their

beneath

in

might,

let

be with

already
only protector.
to name,
roar

convulsion
the

among

lowed
al-

now

dull, rumbling

them

moaning

been

trees

of
:
"

it

fell upon
earthquake ! Their attendants
their knees, shrieking :
Tremhlement-de-terre, tremblement-de-terre,the earthquake ! the earthquake !
That
all ; in that single exclamation
was
was
pressed
exthe ruin, desolation,and
despair attendant
dreaded
of cataclysms.
the most
upon
thrown
forward
the negroes
as
Josephine was
fell,but her lover caught and held her in his arms
the ground.
One
blissful
before her feet touched
he held
moment
her, then she gently disengaged
and stood
his arms
erect, though trembling, at his
A second
side.
shock, still more
powerful than the
her to clutch
with
his arms
both
her
first,caused
Her
hands
and
wistfully into his face.
gaze
eyes
form
with
wide
fear, her slender
were
quivering
had
with
excitement.
Never
she looked
so
nearly
was

the

''

"

divine

the
arms

he

as

at that

moment

never

had

her

lover

felt

impulse so strong within him to clasp her in his

defiance.
But
no
again, and bid the world
;
mands
was
a
Briton, slow but sturdy ; her implied comwere

upon

him

; her

honor

was

in his hands.

66

JOSEPHINE.

Young
his

he

as

race

of

his

he

in

her

had

'^

unwilling

not

his

to

ear

traditions

and
the

only
her

the

by

birth,

was

strained

but

held

was

ancestry,

then,

them,
If

he

was,

breeding.

restraint
this

But

timidity

have
for

William

been
the
5

;
no

world's

what

and

heart,
love

perhaps
for

had

Josephine,
worship.

prize

the

world
then

you
no

word.

whispered

you"

Ah,

lost

you
will

spoken,

gracious

tween
Be-

unspoken

William,

of

queen

by

your

forgive
there
of

you

might
France

6Q

JOSEPHINE.

VIII.

CHAPTEK

FIRST

The

LOVES

OF

earthquake

lasted

but

at Fort

Eoyal

seen

were

houses, ruined
The
so

; its effects

moment

fallen

walls, demolished

homes.
of the lovers

absence

the

were

overcome

in

JOSEPHINE.

accident.

had

hardly been noticed,

older people by the greater
signed
asmerely recognized and
the canoe,
where
they joined

They were
their places in
in the general lamentation.
William
was
uneasy,
for he felt that,somehow,
he had failed in his duty ;
had neglected the opportunity of his life. He was
his ideas
of honor
and
now
striving to reconcile
rectitude with his obligation to self and Josephine.
had
He
failed,that he perceived, for Josephine was
cold towards
a
rare
now
throned
him, and
pout sat enher pretty lips.
upon
had he done ? Nothing.
He had not met
What
him
that
her expectations. It slowly dawned
upon
he had
acted a man's
part undoubtedly, but not a
lover's.

He

attention

moment

had

thresh

by

an

over

would
it

but

amend
was

; he

too

tried

late ;

passed ; Josephine

old

impetuous

straw.

She

lover,by

could
an

the

ardent

carried
one

her

auspicious
not

was

be

draw

to

one

to

away

; later

in

67

JOSEPHINE.

lier life she

she

whom

a
permitted such
at first tolerated,

one

then

to

marry

her,

admired, and
not
a
Napoleon.

But
William
was
finallyadored.
Her phlegmatic English lover was
constant
more
believe tradition ; she was
than Napoleon, if we
may
his last.
his first love, and
For
it is related
that
when
Josephine lay dying at Malmaison, in the year
to the palace and
view,
begged for an inter1814, he came
having all those years held her image in his
heart.
unable
The ex-Empress was
to grant it,and
died without
beholding him ; he expired three days
the
effects
of a
wound
in
received
later, from
battle.

is the

This

beginning and the end of Josephine's

She
affection
first romance.
undoubtedly had an
for this, her first lover, but
finallyyielded to the
him
from
her
desires of her parents and dismissed
went
to
soon
thoughts. At all events, William
England, and out of her life ; though it is said that
her
cepted
interhe wrote
frequently, letters that were
and

At
ear

first,as
to

the

Renaudin,

delivered.*

never

have

we

urgent
to

come

seen,

entreaties
to her

a
Josephine turned
of her aunt, Mme.

in

France

; but

after

deaf
de
this

From
to go.
extremely anxious
the letters of the period, still preserved in the
chives
artrace the
of the La-Pagerie family, we
may
home
at Sannois,
steps that led from this humble

episode

she

was

direct to the throne

Memoirs

of France.

of

Queen

Hortense.

68

JOSEPHINE.

have

fables

Many

that

the circumstances
heroine

story

told

as

It has

the

charged

and

and

marriage

that

of

; but

the

romance

in this drama

actors

related

Beauharnais

de

in interest

by

the

led to

Alexandre

with

surpasses

one

invented

been

of
our

not

actual

themselves.

the

marriage was
brought
of Josephine, solely
about
aunt
by the ambitious
harnais,
through her intrigues with the Marquis de BeauThis
assertion
is directlyconthe elder.
tradicted
in the letter of the
by the facts, as shown
de La-Pagerie,
Marquis, in the year 1778, to Mme.
der,
asking the hand of his daughter for his son Alexanhis father's secretary.
in this instance
who
was
He opens by declaring his great desire to give unequivocal
in which
he holds their
proof of the esteem
acquaintance, and adds : My children possess ample
incomes, each one
40,000 livres per
inheritingsome
dear friend,whether
my
year, and it rests with you,
of your
not share
that of my
one
daughters may
Chevalier.
The respect and attachment
he feels for
Madame
de Eenaudin,
most
impels him
ardently
been

^'

think
age
"

that

you,

have
that
her

there
age,

eldest

your

years

younger,

preference;
seems

to

fifteen

,which is only

seventeen.

those

in which

occasions

He

to

seems

be

of

the

for him.

some

the

nieces.

(Desiree)would

myself regret that

is not

should

of her

one

second

the

suitable

most

with

union

to desire

me

and

but
too
a

phine)
daughter (Joseshe certainly
as

I must

little difference

half,

and

However,
the

confess

feelingsof

my

this
a

is

parent

to
tween
be-

son's,
one

of

must

69

JOSEPHINE.

The

yield to circumstances."
to declare

his

that

son

his friend

daughter,

as

side,and
from

He

with
' '

he

ship

in

person
of war,

; but
as

not

she

elder

still

was

one

has

but

we

the

he

is to

father

this

would

expect

to send

his
"

he

case

her

to

cannot
worthy
trust-

some

to send

means

be far

nal
mater-

despatch le
ship,"
pledge of friend-

adds, in

any

his

her

by

comfortable

more

packet.

Marquis also
time, repeating his
though sensible that
the hand

by

with

from

utmost

me

owe

; and

The

to ask

the

her, to entrust

accompany

merchant

You

concludes

the

urges

dot

already well provided

which

more

then

"

expect

Uvres, inherited

the 25,000

daughter to France
plus tot possible.

is

on

engaging
happy, and assures

woman

not

Chevalier

the

himself.

himself

he does

that

his 40,000

for, with

goes

all the

possesses

to make

qualitiesnecessary

Marquis then

of

wrote
offer

it

the
to

was

an

younger

unmarried,

he

mother
the

at the

father

unusual

and, as
proceeding

daughter
adds

''

same

Not

while

the

that

any

said any but

agreeable things of the elder ;
fear
she is too old, relatively to my
son's
He

is well

worthy your regard, madame

;
and if,as I expect, mademoiselle, your daughter
of
I have
whom
received such charming portraits resembles
dear madame,
then I shall have no
you, my
fisar for the happiness of my
son."
with
He is not content
writes
the
this, but even
grandmother at Fort Royal, and also the uncle, the
Tascher
de La-Pagerie, to use
Chevalier
fluence
their inUse all your
efforts,my dear Baron, to
age.

"

"

*'

70

JOSEPHINE.

induce

brother

your

and

sister-in-law

to

send

their

Mme.
Eenaudin
daughter to France."
joins
the prospective union,
in urging forward
with him
and, in order that it might not be said that her niece
in order
the voyage
to get
made
to France
had
married, solely,she advised her parents to give out
She
that she was
going to complete her education.
draws
Alexander, declaring
a flattering portrait of
be impossible for her to eulogize him
that it would
his handsome
beyond his deserts, with
face, fine
figure, livelydisposition,love for science,and, above
of soul and heart, in him
all, the beautiful qualities,
second

"

so

that

blended

There

is

no

no

of the

doubt

de Eenaudin

and

him

knows

one

affection

but

to

love."

existing between

her

god-son ; she had watched

him
since his earliest youth.
The
wise,
over
aunt, likedesire of her
anticipating the very natural
brother's
family to see Josephine settled in advance
of her
sisters,alludes to the regret of the Marquis
that the eldest daughter is not at least three
years
than
Alexander.
But then, you
know,"
younger
this will not be the first instance
she concludes,
of a younger
sister being established before the elder.
of the
is so
tageous,
advanAnd, since the age
younger
Mme.

'^

"

we

ordered

cannot

but

believe

that

Heaven

has

so

it."

Meanwhile,

what

had

Communication

between

mother

was

country

of events

had

taken

happened
the

slow

it,apparently, for

Martinique

island-colonies

and

place.

in

uncertain
Heaven

week

and

; the

had
before

not

that

the

direst
so

dered
or-

letter

72

JOSEPHHTE.

plains to

Mme.

has

aware,

"

deEenaudin
home

been

:
"

the

from

The

eldest,you
for

convent

are
some

to take
time, and, as she has frequently desired me
her to France, she will be, I fear, a little put out by
evident preference for the younger.
She
your
has a very lovely complexion, beautiful
some
eyes, handremarkable
a
a shapely figure, and
tude
aptiarms,
.

for music.
.

''

I furnished

her with

teacher

of the

guitar, while
in the convent, and she profitedwell by her
she was
It is a pity
lessons, and has a very charming voice.
be sent
that she cannot
to France
to complete her
education, so well begun ; and if it were
only in my
I would
send the two
together. But, how
power,
I separate a mother
from
the
two
can
remaining
after the third has been snatched
daughters, so soon
from
This letter was
her by death ?
written
from
had
St. Lucia, where
Mr. Tascher
a plantation.
It was
immediately answered
by the aunt, who
after consulting with
the Marquis
wrote
under
date of 11th March, 1Y78 :"
a

"

"

^*

Come

"

to us, my

dear

brother

; come,

with

one

of

do we
daughters, or with two : whatever
you
shall not doubt you
will
shall find agreeable ; and we
better than we
knows
be guided by Providence, who
what
is best for us.
You
are
acquainted with
desires : we
of your
wish for one
sincere
our
ters
daughalier
to matter). The Cav(which one did not seem
deserves
to be made
perfectly happy, and you
alone, perhaps, are the one best able to declare which

your

"

73

JOSEPHINE.

one

So

requisitequalities.

the

possesses

act

...

accordingly."
ily,
famtrouble in the Tascher
Meanwhile, there was
for the youngest
daughter, backed in her opposition
and her grandmother, declared
by her mother
if she
to France, even
not take the voyage
she would
The
had
to
husband.
never
father, who
seems
a
have
been
an
honest, though henpecked husband,
his duty and desires.
He
was
distracted,as between
Kenaudin
ing
Mme.
wrote
again, before definitelydecidwhich
daughter to send, under date of June
upon
You
24th, 1778 :
know, my dear sister,the blind
'^

devotion

of

of

most

children.

In
...

to the voyage,

but

know

what

and

you

I would

means,

who

not

she

was

her

desire
me

opposed
grandmother,
"

If I had

but

the

...

immediately, with the eldest,

to see la belle France, but is consumed
to see her dear aunt.
Only two

: a

fifteen years

well-developed

their

is Manette

means

for

mothers

and

mother

that

start

things prevent

Creole

short, not only

only wishes
with

our

for her

lack of

means

old

yesterday.
age ; indeed,

and

the fact that

She

is likewise

for the

last five

eighteen than
position
fifteen.
She has, as I have written you, a happy disthe guitar, has a good
; plays a little on
time
voice,and a liking for music, in which she will somebecome
proficient. But, alas,I fear she will not
of the objection
fulfill your
expectations,on account
also he wrote
In this tenor
to her age."
you have
most
the Marquis, realizing that his was
embara
or

six months

has

seemed

to be

nearer

74

JOSEPHINE.

did not wish to let pass such

rassing position. He
an
opportunity for an alliance with so distinguished
a
yet he hesitated
family as he frankly admitted
without
to recommend
qualificationthe eldest
account
of
on
daughter ; though her only defect was
her
in his opinion, more
than
was,
age ; which
counterbalanced, by her numerous
good qualities.
To this effect he wrote
the Marquis, who
replied,as
had done, that he would
not assume
to decide
the aunt
be satof the daughters, he would
isfied.
; so it be one
would
he hoped his old friend
But
come
he brought should
whichever
also be
one
soon
; and
"

"

their

choice.

then
absent
with his regiwas
Alexander, who
ment,
of
was
acquainted with the bizarre condition
affairs,and immediately responded that he readily

accepted the exchange, having had a preference for

the eldest all along.
He expressed himself
satisfied
with
should
be made, and,
whatever
arrangement
though he did not allow thoughts of his prospective
bride to distract him
his duties,was
from
somewhat
disappointed that Josephine herself had not arrived,
of

instead
'^

her.

letter.

The

and

her

her

favor.

strong desire
I
.

already urged M.
daughter, whom
This
9th

than
the

did

to

we

she

be with

trust, my
de

doubt

not

great attachment

desired

He

dear

he

has

for her

her, inclines
papa,

that

La-Pagerie to send
have
always more

the youngest.

should

you

like

aunt,
me

in

have

his eldest

us

ardently

"

Marquis probably did, for in

September, 1T78, he complimented

the

letter

of

planter

75

JOSEPHINE.

decision, and

his

upon

assured

him

that

they
impatience to

were

with
their
already looking forward
in France
would
arrival,and the day they landed
be the happiest of their lives.
With
the consent
of
his son, he sent to Martinique authority to publish

there

with

the banns

leaving

blank

for

space

in the

of confidence

mark

whomsoever

should

the

name

be

selected,
unusual

an

integrity of his

old

friend

and

companion-in-arms.
By the same
packet, the
saying how
happy they
was
removed,
that

Manette

would

be

her

sister.

She

parti
her

as

aunt
had

been

and

able

she

such

than

more

the

M.

that

sure

de La-Pagerie, would
in-law, Mme.
for her
her for having secured
day thank

de

She

son-in-law.

Beauharnais

embrace

him

and

to

you.

only fly
adieu.

But

come,

her

assured

fine

sister

desirable

certainty
un-

only hoped

obtain

to

brother

since

that

felt

her

wrote

some

such

brother

that

exceedingly impatient to
his daughter.
Alas, if I could
dear
brother
Adieu, my
;
! Your
dear sister implores
come
was

"

you."
it

Thus

decided

was

to be sent

was

No,

in

not

the

to

France

search

of

space
This
the

the

on

may

truth

had

name

; he

one

been

banns, and had

be

new,

of this

was

her.
the

inserted

of

band.
hus-

already
She

soil of
in the

was

tinique.
Marblank

proclaimed.
English readers

been

at least to

statement

search

in

burning with impatience to embrace

his bride, in fact, before
she left
Her

phine,
daughter, Jose-

eldest

has

been

established

but

by

76

JOSEPHINE.

the
this

drama

strange

But

how

Pagerie
there

which

from

letters

the

Outside

love

sibyl

Diahlotins

the

she

auguries
"

read
of

besides,
Vous

annies;

don't

in

t Local

you

mais{0,
Smeute.^^

Verified

letters

Again

by
the

at

the

old
once

tance
imporCarib

the
the

of

flight

flight

strange

the

family

tradition.

and

remember
de
see

again,

in

warning

'

this

their

And,

sibyl's warning
de

aurez

vous

ware
Be-

flights

it.

confirmed

the

France

the

it is

message,

Look,

not.

must

; you

they have

Reine

une

go

Devil-bird's

Diamond,

serez

their

from

don't

sea.'

the

around

dans

the
the

her

She

studied

telligenc
in-

drew."

Yeyette-moi,

have

'^and

phine
Josesad

where

consulted

had

that, she

than

The

big with

had

slaves,

for

felt

all

shore.

Yeyette,"
She

message.

more

*'

La-

the

hamlet

the

by

own

Sannois

at

for

in

actors

story.*

reverence.

little

dwelt

her

to
of

the

the

among

approaching

Adee,

hastened

family,

own

received

news

lamentation

reached
nurse,

their

told

the

bitter

was

have

was

quoted

have

we

"

belles

here), vousperiez

biographer
archives,

of
which

Josephine,
were

who

consulted

freely placed

at

the

his

dis-

78

JOSEPHINE.

with
the fear that the BeauKenaudin, harassed
harnais
might change their opinion, or the young
man's
ardor
Meanwhile,
although her
might cool.
brother
assured
her that he was
sincerely seeking
1779 before
late in the year
an
opportunity, it was
of his sailing.
she had definite news
Scarcely a month
passed that did not leave with
its departure some
of
the
impressive reminder
One
possibledangers of that sea-voyage.
morning
in April, the peace
of the valley of Sannois
turbed
diswas
of heavy guns.
Hastening to
by the boom
the hill overlooking the sucrerze
Josephine and her
dim
in the distance, the ghost-like outfather saw,
lines
of several
immense
warships, wrapped in the
The
terrible Eodney
smoke
from
their own
guns.
he
had
had
as
threatened, to reduce the
come,
rebellious
had

islands
since

passed

sailors and
Fort

of

become

the

in

concentrated

at

him

The

battle.

he

of

Royal

result

much

at

the reduction

of

conquered

the

also

had

was

to

give
the

interested
in

the
of

the Atlantic*
Appendix

fieet

; but

for the time

only emphasized the dangers

See

out

the

war,

French

sailed

had

stake

marine

indecisive,though

away

these

since

had

naval
The

who

at

He

French

mouth.

every

Fort

had

the

driven
English fleet was
view
of
action, within
so

his

Granada.

and

scourge

was

name

assisted

when

St. Lucia

islands

his

and

had

years

here, when

his first appearance

marines

Eoyal,

Seventeen

submission.

to

(4),

spectators,

outcome
a

voyage

of

the

across

79

JOSEPHINE.

"

It must

the

be, Yeyette

too

many."

dangers

' *

As you

attracts

"

and

me,

always

been

I desire

to

welfare

yet,

cher

him

in

you
named
so

fever

there

us

fields.

me,

instead

the dream

been

you,

of

least

at

these
her

the

; every

little

And

years

some

Less

your

duties

now

year,

and

than

our

when

slaves
forty of our
serpents. I myself
earthquake, every
less
ful."
hopepoorer,

would

he

yet

daughter
in truth

were

of

the

;
a

send
'

only

son,

me
'

son

able

to

he

help

only Joseph, as you

of Josephine ! Alas, woman
can
the while
worth
! But, at least,I
I will not desert you."
were

it is better

you

find

you

her

projected

future

we

If I

is

Yeyette,

will leave

that

the

will

has

life to

and

oldest

little that

"No,

this

last

His

stay with

can

Only

papa!

Would

has.

have

leaves

hurricane,

France

content.

am

all

her

despairing

broken,

from

worked

what

the

died, from

great,

absolutely nothing ahead.

is

devoted

began.

'^Mon

you

there

have

has

Paris

see

for

Here

mother

;I

papa

too

are

am

secure

promise.
See, how

am

to

; the risks

happy here."
could
be, my daughter ; you have
you
and
dutiful
child.
a good
But, again,
I

I believe

we

dear

say, my

life ; but

my

do

not

union.

"

that

greater

heir, even
Yes, you

you

future.
if

go

to France

Your

nothing
can
help

aunt

comes

of
better

me

there."
There

were

for all the

distractions
French

enough

now

fleets rendezvoused

at Fort

there

Royal,
on

their

80

JOSEPHINE.

1YY9, arrived the gallant Count

De Grasse, chief of the squadron that
sailed from
fleet of Comte
the
Brest
to join at Martinique
the gayest place, perhaps,
d'Estaing. The fort was
in the
colonies, and Josephine, as the niece of the
of the
Baron
de
Tascher, and one
commandant.
the object of
ladies of the place,was
prettiestyoung
to America.

way

In

attentions.

many
At

the

Brest, whence

fleet had

her

sailed, was

possible that she received news

who
the officers,
envied
must
the
have
of him
from
his good fortune.
But
Chevalier
they passed on,
and gallant Frenchmen
; sailed out of her vision
gay
into the
horizon, towards
America, where
they so
at Savannah, and
materially assisted our forefathers
betrothed, and

later

contributed

returned

of them

the voids

of the

acted

estate, who

was

the

of

downfall

space

Eevolution

was

Corn;

some
over

still

sailing,sailing,through
century past.
are

household

the ladies

the

into illimitable

on

after

of them

many

The

towards

They sailed

wallis.

but

it is

returned
as

to

mediators

master

its wonted

between

absolute

over

the

his

vocations
lord

of the

slaves,and
thoughtful

and
sad
Josephine, made
to the slaves
a veritable
by her recent experiences, was
Lady Bountiful
; she passed her time in deeds
then acquired that angelic
of charity, and doubtless
is even
yet a popular
dispositionfor which her name
ladies of La-Pagerie were
The
celebrated
synonym.
of the
for their care
slaves, exercising a supervision
from
the time
of birth, teaching
them
over

the negroes.

81

JOSBPHINB.

them

catechism, healing their wounds,

the
for
at

threatened

when

them

with

ment,
punish-

protectors,instructors,and

once

ceding
inter-

sisters of

charity.
Josephine might be seen at this time, clad in cool
Madras
handkerchief
about
white
muslin, a gay
of silk grass,
her head, swinging in a hammock
or
of negroes,
the center
of an
joining
admiring group
in the dance
of the tambou, at evening
to the music
the
by the light of the flambeaux, or beneath
brilliant tropicalmoon.
But this life of mingled care
and gayety could not
go

on

M. Tascher

forever.

not unmindful

was

of his

for an
watchful
promise to the Marquis. Ever
opportunity to redeem that promise, he at last found
in a convoyed ship,
La
Fomone,'' which
passage
in September.
sailed for France
tereste
In France, we
the parties inmight have found
^^

in this voyage

Tired

themselves.
the Chevalier

was

from
a

Martinique.
word, but on the

father
convoy

that he had
about

as

anxious

as

the voyagers

of

garrison gallantries,at last,

anxiously inquiring for the news
of August not
During the month
fifth of September he wrote
his
received

to sail from

secret

that

information

island.

And

of

he had

come
presentiment that his intended bride would
More
all impatience.
than
at that time, and was
a
further
but
month
passed, however, without
news,
a

the last of

October, Mme.

letter from

her

month, by which
6

de

brother, dated
she learned

Kenaudin

received

the twentieth
that he had

of that

arrived

at

82

JOSEPHINE.

Brest, together with

La-Pagerie, and

his

Eosette

sister,Mile.

their
eldest

de

daughter.

1779, there arrived at another

another
point on the coast of France, coming from
who
later
island-colony of that country, the one
and prosperity this
raised to such a height of power
unknown
girl.Mile. Josephine de La-Pagerie.
from
Brest,
Meanwhile, at receipt of the news
That

same

year,

the

join

to

Tascher

was

very

the

and

de Kenaudin

Mme.

Alexander

young

La-Pageries.
ill from

an

old

ened
hast-

that

Hearing
wound

M.

malady,

or

aggravated hy the long and tempestuous sea-voyage,

the Chevalier, with rare
thoughtfulness, hurried on
in advance, in order
how
to ascertain
seriously he
his godto prepare
was
affected, and if necessary
mother
shock.

for any

He

had

Brest
be

arranged with

also

to send

him

an

express,

one

if M.

criticallyill ; but all these

for he

found

was

of his comrades

Tascher

precautions
to

be

at

should
were

in better

necessary,
un-

health

they had

expected from the reports.

About
the twenty-eighth of October, in a letter to
of affairs,and
his father, he details the condition
gives a hint of the impression made upon him by the
than

Creole.

young
*^

since

You
our

will

pardon

arrival

myself.
Tuesday next.

here

Our

to

I need

for not

writing
I have
hardly had
departure is now

me

not

assure

you

sooner,
a

that

but

moment
fixed
we

for
are

88

JOSBPHINB.

all

Mile,
de Laimpatient to be near
you.
Pagerie, who is as anxious to see you as the rest of
will perhaps find less pretty than
had
us, you
you
of character
expected, but her modesty and sweetness
told you.
I
anything that has been
surpass
seemed
to
found, to my disgust, that all the town
of the nature
of our
informed
have been
errand,
which
I had
thought a secret, but, though I am
compelled to blush, sometimes, at the compliments
.

...

thrust

still I find

me,

upon

of attachment

flattering marks
and

from

in my

livelyinterest

their

satisfaction

some

Thus, though somewhat

in

the

comrades,

my

welfare.

..."

at

disappointed

the

first

glimpse of his bride, the Chevalier was, on the whole,

the best of affairs.
disposed to make
A
few
de
days later, while
en-route, Mme.
the Marquis assuring him, upon
her
wrote
Eenaudin
not disappoint
sacred
word, that Josephine would
chere
''Sera
in
voire
him
et
respect.
any
assure.'^
She
tendre
en
fille,"est moi qui vous
possessedall the beautiful qualities essential to the
.

happiness
''He begs

And

Chevalier.

of the

to

the

latter

him, and not to

take it ill that he does not write to-day ; for he is so
well engaged that he cannot.
Yes, my good friend,
he is very
much
occupied at present, very much
absorbed, with your future daughter-in-law."
Alexander
does add a line, however,
The recreant
to

the

father's

me

effect

future

to

embrace

as

that

he

daughter

you

finds
so

for

the
sweet

of

his

this must

be

company

that

84

JOSEPHINE.

the
explanation of his silence. He expresses
him, and the
great desire they both feel to be near
to embracing
hope that the Marquis is looking forward
when
So it
both his children
they arrive.
the

that

seems

Alexander

had

in his love-

lost little time

of position, of
He
had
the
advantage
making.
education, of experience in the gallantriesof the day ;
against these qualificationsJosephine had nothing
He
native
charms.
to oppose
was
except her own
three days
not at first attracted
by her ; but within
The
undarshe had won
him, in spite of himself.
these two
standing is complete between
children,
so
leagues of sea,
brought together across
many
of two
destined
for each other by the machinations
Alexander
had
been
intriguing relatives.
disposed
preto the match, from
the representations of
he devotedly loved, and
his godmother, whom
his
he reverenced.
It does not seem
to
father, whom
to him
to combat
have occurred
their wishes, and
he at once
of liking this
set himself
to the task
so
she arrived.
as
Creole, as soon
Josephine,
young
To love
have seen, was
as we
equally complaisant.
of her
of the necessities
was
one
being." It does
^ '

not

appear

that

to lavish

whom
nature

had

she

had

the wealth

endowed

her.

affection

Her

father

reciprocalaffection
dignity of a passion.
for

that

much
not

upon

with

which

and

of the

cares

one

any

of

always occupied in the

servants, her maids, however
been
to them, were
attached

were

had

ever

estate

she
suitable

could

mother

may

; her

have

subjects

attain

to

the

86

JOSEPHINE.

she

feared

plans, and saw

evidently attracted

so

furnished

her

francs, and
performed

of her

possiblemiscarriage
that

with

insisted
her

that

generously
costing 20,000
should

ceremony

house

at

were

She

trousseau

the

country

people

young

other.

to each

niece

at

the

ished
dearly cher-

Noisy,

be

in order

attendant
publicity and confusion
upon
in the capital. The
fixed
was
a wedding
ceremony
of December
several
for the thirteenth
fore
days be; but
de La-Pagerie, who was
it took place,M. Tascher
obliged
suffering from a relapse of his malady, was
Louis Samuel
to delegate his authority to the Abbe
tinguish
disde Tascher, a doctor of Sorbonne, and the most
representative of the family in France.
of the Abbe, of Mme.
In the presence
de Eenaudin
to her niece) of the
(who filled the place of mother
Marquis de Beauharnais, Count Claude, his brother,
and
other
several
phine
reputable witnesses, Mile. Josede La-Pagerie and
Alexander
de Beauharnais
made
of Noisy-le-Grand.
were
one, in the Church
And
Were
married.
?
so
they were
they mated
Does any
one
whisper of love f Perhaps ; the aunt
the

to avoid

"

and

"

father

the

awhile.
nance

became

Their

But, it
as

any

have

may
was

that

the custom

interest

as

has

cherished

purely

been

ever

and

to marry

in

each

by the representations of
manner
by the romantic
propinquity had done the

other
their
of
rest.

the

delusion

for

mariage de convearranged since it

be given in marriage.

had

been

awakened

friends, stimulated
their

betrothal, and

87

JOSEPHINE.

X.

CHAPTEE
THE

This

in

venture

nineteen

and

The
and

the

gay

Paris,
not

BEAUHARNAIS.

of

matrimony

girl of sixteen

at

was

passed away
bride, diverted
by the
the
petted idol of

young
was

were

altogether

like

to the

life of Sannois

and

numerous

to lead

the

artificial state

in

France, and

obliged

her

protest against the paints and

the

outset

attractions

of

Vicomte's

the

from

She

the

of existence

has

licitou
fe-

happily,

very

attentive.

transition

was

of

man

young

first year

relatives, who
did

OP

BRIDE

left

on

free
she

record

perfumes, and the

hoops, "which' would
straight through a
pass
the young
pair resided

heavy clothing with enormous

to
not permit the wearer
In the summer
doorway."
Mme.
at Noisy-le-Grand, with
winter

the

the

at
We

Thevenot.

hotel

have

of

seen

and

de
the

what

Eenaudin,

Marquis,
the

were

and

in the

in
Kue

influences
the

ative
form-

that

surrounded

how

be shown
period of her character
; it will now
Creole
she developed, from
a
provincial,with

no

education
into

save
one

time.

infinite

and

tact

that

furnished

in

an

obscure

vent,
con-

polished and accomplished

In the first place, she possessed
perception of the proprieties. She

of the

ladies of the

shaped her, during

most

88

JOSEPHINE.

by members

constantlysurrounded

was

who

had

received

of

the

education

their

tocracy,
aris-

in

the

of
was
society. One who
who
became
her
the greatest service to her, and
friend
and
Mme.
affectionate
most
adviser, was
uncle,
Fanny de Beauharnais, wife of Alexander's
Born
of wealthy
the
Count
Claude.
parents, at
Paris, in 1738, she had received a brilliant education
and had displayed precocious talents, writing verses
of ten, and
at the age
applauded by the literary
Married
celebrities of the day.
at the age of fifteen,
her husband
she procured a separation from
few
a
herself to literarypursuits,
years later,and abandoned
her salon in the city and at Fontainebleau
becoming
of the
and
the favorite
resort
distinguished men
of the day. She displayed a deep interest in
women
initiated into the
Josephine, who through her was
not
mysteries of literary Paris, though she may
most

approved schools

have

read

all her

whatever
exercised

of

books.
may

have

She
been

great influence, and

cultured

was

her

and

morals, and

fined,
re-

she

in the

right direction,
the wife of her
Another
nephew.
lady with
upon
whom
she became
a frequent
intimate, and who was
de La
to the family, was
Mme.
Kochefouvisitcjt*
and Mme.
de Eohan
cauld, a relative of Alexander's
de Montmorency.
Chabot-Leon
Elizabeth
The
nee
of the Marquis was
establishment
worthy his rank,
and
to

among
the

young

the

numerous

vicountess

and
was

brilliant

salons

of

Madame

that

Montesson, the morganatic wife

leans, where
Josephine first met

of

the

Mme.

Due
de

open
de

d'Or-

Genlis,

89

JOSEPHINE.

and

where

dames

grand

the

the

it is difficult to believe

that

she

not

to

that

fully entitled

marriage.

It is known

of the

welcome

most

receptions,and
of the

beau

she

Marie

by

made

amends

staunchest

friend

for
and

was

at the
him

upon

Court.

the

; but

received,as
by birth and

husband

cavaliers

bestowed
of

danseur

received
this

had

honor

her

that

of the

was

upon

Court

receptions at

was

of the

name

the official lists of the

she

society

inscribed

is not

Beauharnais

de

the

that

It is true

of the time.

Vicomtesse

all

assembled

were

She

one

Queen's
the title
was

vately
pri-

Antoinette, however, and

public presentation. Her

mentor

was

the aunt

who

had

in

bringing her to Paris, and

her
with
the
consummated
Chevalier.
marriage
native
of Martinique, had
de Eenaudin,
Mme.
a
in 1Y60, had
secured
to Paris
a
come
separation
her husband, on
the basis of incompatibility
from
then living at ease
and brutality,and was
the
upon
alimony granted her, and a large private fortune.
harnais
At first,under the protectionof the Marquis de Beauand his wife, after the latter had left France,
been

instrumental

she entered

into
late

former, and
maintained
appears

an

in

attachment

amorous

life

they

married.

were

separate establishment

to have

resided

in

or

near

with

at
the

Noisy,

household

the
She
but
of

Marquis, rue Thevenot, in the winter season.

she
She was
godmother to Alexander, to whom
most
was
tenderly attached, and filled a mother's
place in the heart of Josephine. Notwithstanding
with
the old Marquis, her
her equivocal relations
the

90

JOSEPHINE.

family

have

to

seem

held

letters show

her

to have

qualities of

head

and

to her

letters sent

description
afterwards

of

Alexander

detail

the
and

the

One

of

charms

to

minuteness

cannot

have

could

his
:

is

has

he

wish

was

that

the

it in his heart

fiancee with
''She

early

confidential

whom

but

found

sponded
corre-

of the

one

Baron

her

admirable

many

brothers

in

sweetheart,

married.

young

Her

heart.

from

his

esteem, and

possessed

regularly, and

her

with

in

her

such

such
a

to

siasm
enthu-

beautiful

complexion, such lovely eyes, so pretty a mouth, so

divine
a figure,the whole
forming a most ravishing
than
charmed."
more
ensemble, that I am
the tutelage and instruction
of her aunt,
Under
whose
sian,
a perfectParitwenty years in Paris had made
Josephine applied herself most
assiduously to
which
acquire that superficialknowledge
passes
in the world
of society,and
current
that
polish of
defects.
which
She
manner
glosses over
many
tact and
possessed natural
aptitude, and above all a
is at the basis of good manners.
good heart, which
Doubtless
amiable
she had
more
qualitiesof heart
than
knowledge of science, literature or art ; but
with what success
she applied herself,her subsequent
and as Empress of
wife of the First Consul
as
career,
the first
the French, abundantly testifies. During
devoted
of their marriage the Chevalier
few months
himself

to

his wife

happiness, and
affection.
for

She
her

she
was

heart

with

zeal

commendable

returned

his

the

need

with

attentions

sincerelyattached
felt

for her

of

to
some

the
one

count,
Visto

91

JOSEPHINE.

love,
was

and

all her
and

young

but

Soon

ardent,
he began

which

did

master

and

He

had

not

in him.
She
thoughts centered
also young,
inexperienced ; he was
ambitious,
impatient of restraint.
to

assume

an

fail to

attitude

produce

towards

its effect

that

her
of

mentor.
received

complete education, was

in touch
the world
than
with
more
she, with her
Creole manners
and
provincial teaching, and soon
assumed
air of superiority which
an
was
galling,
to the amiable
even
ment
Josephine. Thus their estrangebegan : the novelty having worn
off, the
Alexander
were
opened to his
eyes of this mercurial
he had
of one
true
whom
position as the husband
and
to his father
espoused more
through deference
He taunted
godmother than from actual affection.
the fact that she was
her with
merely a demoiselle
in a colonial
educated
convent, and brought up by a
tic
and godmother noted
mother
only for their domesa

more

virtues.
lations
remarriage their domestic
to the point of open
strained
were
rupture,
and
and
the father
aunt, hesitating to intervene
old tutor,
openly, solicited the services of Alexander's
he was
much
attached.
M. Patricol,to whom
very
with
the
This
gentleman held a long conversation
Viscount, then absent from Paris with his regiment,

Two

years

after their

In
for his conduct.
frankly stated the reasons
effect,he said : he had thought at first he could be
Mile, de La-Pagerie, notwithstand
able to live happily with
the defects of her early education, and
who

92

JOSEPHINE.

had

set

himself

zealously

at

work

to

amend

the

of her life. But,

neglect of the first fifteen years
shortly after their union, he had found in her a lack
herself to his
of confidence, an
unreadiness
to lend
guidance, which had chilled his ardor, and perhaps
his affection.
Her
total indifference
to his plans for
him
them
her improvement
had caused
to renounce
forever, and in place of spending his time at home,
he
had
as
originally contemplated, vis-a-vis with
who
addressed
one
him, he had tired
scarcely ever
of this monotonous
to
existence, and had returned
of the
the
more
congenial atmosphere
garrison
old story : Mr. YoungIn short, it was
the
same
the
of domesticity,
sweets
husband, surfeited with
balked in his efforts to attain the unattainable, and
elor
hankering after the forbidden
pleasures of his bachsaddle
the wife all the
life,withal, would
upon
responsibilityfor his peccadilloes.
His letters of this period are
full of advice
to
as
her

studies

her

own

no

and

her

behavior.

letters,that
inferior

means

It would

Josephine's

to that

of the

from

seem,

education

ladies of

was

her

by
time.

Her

and yet simple, she

correct
epistolarystyle was
in drawing and music, and
had made
good progress
had
able
fashionearly exchanged her guitar for a more
to severe
harp. But she was
extremely averse
effort and, though she may
mental
have appreciated
her husband's
of studies,was
scheme
pable
utterly incaof traveling in the path he had
marked
out.

With

Creole's

application, she

dislike

for schools

preferred

the

and

easier

continued
method

of

94

JOSEPHINE.

for

they had most loyallyespoused the cause

of the wife, and had been unwilling witnesses
of her
of short
ever,
sufferings. Their joy was
duration, howjoyed,

for the

fickle spouse

announced

soon

his determination

regiment, then at Verdun,

of jealousy,
and Josephine, afflicted by a new
access
tears and reproaches.
overwhelmed
him
with
Thus
relations, made
by
unhappy in his domestic
uneasy
fidelit
conscience
not altogether lost to a sense
of his ina
Alexander
sought to obtain
forgetfulness
in the pursuit of
glory." He offered his services
had
to the Marquis de Bouille, who
recently arrived
from
schemes
Martinique, with extensive
against
the English colonies.
From
his uncle, the Due
de
received
La
he
letter
a
Eochefoucauld,
warmly
him
for the positionof aide-de-camp ;
recommending
but
the
coveted
solved
situation, he refailingto secure
the
last of
On
to volunteer.
September,
1782, he sailed from
Brest, arriving at Martinique
in November,
where
received
he was
well
by the
La-Pagerie family.
M. Tascher, Josephine's father, had only returned
France
from
at the beginning of the year, and
had
the unhappy
bearer
of ill-tidings
been
to his wife of
Tascher
Madame
their daughter's infelicities.
at
him
first received
a
coldly, but he made
complete
and
his wife, the latter declaring,
conquest of the Baron
in a letter to her
sister-in-law, that she
to his

to return

""

would
son

of

be

the

resembled
the

port of

happiest
the

dear

Fort

of

women

Alexander.

Koyal,

Baron

if

only

As
de

her

own

commander

Tascher

was

96

JOSEPHINE.

prominent

in all the

affairs

of the

island

those, at

the
five
During
importance.
the
from
1778-1Y83, Fort Eoyal was
port-ofyears
fleets
call and refittingstation for all those immense
of the Eevolution.
war
engaged in the American
to the success
The Baron
thus indirectlycontributed
and
for he received
of American
successively
arms,
entertained
the ships of the Comte
d'Estaing, going
which
remained
for six
to the United
States, and
months
in Martinique
waters
squadron of
; the
Lamothe-Piquet, obliged to repair here the damages
received in glorious action in that same
bay of Fort
de Guichen
(who had
Royal ; that of the Comte
been
engaged by Rodney) ; and lastly the grand
de G-rasse,which
had made
squadron of the Comte
Since the departthis port its general rendezvous.
ure
of Josephine, two
great naval battles had been
fought off Martinique ; one within sight of her home.
in April, 1780, that
the English fleet under
It was
perate
desRodney narrowly escaped defeat, after a most
On
battle, in Martinique waters.
April
that terrible naval
twelfth, 1782, occurred
ment
engagebetween
Rodney and de Grasse, off the coast
island
of Dominica,
an
adjacent to Martinique,
in the morning
till six at
lasted from
which
seven
the British
took seven
French
night, and in which
of
ships of the line and two frigates. The boom
could
be heard
the guns
at
Martinique, and the
crippled fleet returned hither for repairs.* In some

least, of

national

See

Appendix

(5).

96

JOSEPHINE.

stirring scenes

of these
and

all the

with

fleet he

French

was

and

by the accounts
bloody drama,
of

peace

put
his

had

such
his
was

this

During
did

liaison

with

left free

and
and

interview

announced

and

in

this

await

to

the

his

such

the

Eochambeau
record
have

may

for

departure

had

that

authentic

no

thus

fate

stated

accompanied
is

; and

unkind

been

would
would

period

of enforced

fail

assert

that

to

of

woman

of
been

it

Martinique,

his

jealousy

alone

in

with

his

henceforth

be the

call his wife

the

open

had

against

his

inclined

M.

wife,

Paris.

In

boastfully
France, where

in his
account.

packet

her

he

sailing for
master

By
with

dissolute

a
was

rupture

excited

to strict

last

have

La-Pagerie.

father-in-law
of

he

character, who

and

gay

his intention

should

to

his natural

itself, for
of

incited

was

idleness

loose

house

the

notwithstanding
news

has

fact, although

with

enmity

Tascher,

he

vain

It

there

on

not

influence, he

an

frenzy

consummated.

never

at

; in

intention,

levity

in

been

but

action

to

actors

preparations

Beauharnais

America

to

warlike

desires.

his
de

was

guish
distin-

to

The
ingloriously inactive.
1783, and the treaty of Versailles,

to all

thwarted
Vicomte

he

yet

of the

friendship.

stirred

been

lips of the
compelled

the

from

admirals

burning

was

have

must

January,

voyage

and

participant,

events,

end

an

was

of intimate

terms

on

Alexander,

himself,

of

Baron

great captains

But, although

outcome

the

house,

own

And

had

brought

him

towards

this,
him

his

WATERFALL

NEAR

JoSEPHINE'sBIRTHPLACE

97

JOSEPHINE.

wife

the

April,

of

birth

daughter (Hortense) 10th

1783.

patience of the La-Pageries

exhausted.
Indignant at the conduct
The

son-in-law
to
the

of

him

than

towards
his

husband

own

one

who

life,M.
letter

of
was

last

at

was

this
more

Tascher

faithful
un-

cious
prewrote

full of

reproaches,
the gauntlet, offeringto
distinctlythrowing down
take back
his daughter, for fear she might come
to
the indignitiesto which
her from
want, and to save
she was
exposed. He closed with the bitter taunt
Alexander
had made, in this boastthat the only war
ful
campaign of his, was
against the reputation of
and
the
adefenseless
of her family.
woman
peace
in the heart
This merited
of the
reproach rankled
offender, and exasperated him to such a degree that,
to an
immediately upon arrival in Paris, he came
his wife, notwithstanding the
rupture with
open
of his fathor
and
intercession
godmother, who in
vain urged the claims, not alone of the mother, but
recreant

of the

children.
and

wounded

to
vanity prompted him
demand
a
legal separation,the first steps toward
which
he immediately instituted.
tained
Proudly conscious of her own
integrity,and susown
by the sympathies of the Viscount's
of a
shelter
to the
family, Josephine withdrew
the
Within
of the time.
convent, after the custom
she awaited
the decision of
seclusion
of Panthemont,
the court, which
was
entirelyin her favor ; the care
of Eugene seems
been
to have
given to the father,

His

rage

98

JOSEPHINE.

but

Josephine

and

to

retained

mother

and

maintenance
Creole
to

entire

family,
his

espoused
side

with

Paris,

is

the

cause

redoubled

sufficient

said

she

and

her

daughter,

alimony

Countess
of

have

to

for

father,

de
and

and

to

his

Fanny

Josephine

attentions

followed

adhered

alone
his

including

aunt,
the

of

custody

their

adjudged.

mistress

hamais

and

child

was

The

the

elder

Beauhim

his

brother,

Beauharnais,
rallied

solicitude.

to

her

100

JOSEPHINE.

was
Fontainebleau, then, the afflicted wife
rounded
surby loving relatives,and at the head of her
household
she presided with
father-in-law's
grace
and
dignity. She lived quietly in this modest
treat,
rerarely going into society,her only diversions
being a walk
through the magnificent forest or a
ride on horseback
into the adjacent country.
It was,
desire for seclusion
that
a
perhaps, not alone from
she was
impelled to lead this quiet life, since there
absolute
was
an
necessity for the husbanding of her
at this time, from
her letters
It appears,
resources.
to Martinique, that she was
depending less upon her
from
husband's
home.
pension than upon remittances
These
letters,so sweet and simple, without
literary
pretension, the unaffected
productions of a goodstill preserved in the
are
hearted, earnest
woman,
family archives.
They tell us that the haughty
would
allow
of his daughnot
pride of M. Tascher
ter's
from
who
had
one
so
receiving alms
deeply
On the 20th May, 1787, for instance,
wronged her.
she acknowledges the
receiptof 2,789 livres,at the
of her
hand
brief
on
a
uncle, the Baron, who was
He
him
visit to France.
urged her to return with
till a year
to their native
not
island, but it was
for
later, in June, 1778, that she finally embarked
have
encouraged a hope that
Martinique. She may
to her, which
Alexander
and
would
relent
return

sustained
was

that

her

at last

during

abandoned.

time, though
them

those

three

years

; but

They had not

correspondence had

mainly with

reference

to

met

if

so

it

during

tween
passed bethe children,

101

JOSEPHINE.

it is

serving

true, but

to

alive the

keep

remembrance

happier days. She would doubtless have received

him
back, if only for the sake of their children ; for
sentment
resaid, had "no more
Josephine, as Napoleon once
She remembered
than
a pigeon."
favors,
from
but forgot injuries,and all her troubles
the
arose
of this nobility
fact that base people took advantage
of soul, which
of nature, this magnanimity
could
of

friends.

her

the

evil in

no

see

looked

She

base

of

the

were

heaped

over

her

disassociated

apparently,
person,
maids

and
who

in full

but

they

took
had

from

that

back

did

the

to

hers

injure

relations.

She

grieved
spoil her lovely

not

in kind.

may

into her

which

sorrow,

individual

the
evil

slandered

had

measure.

retaliated

the act

of

pleasure, for happiness,

it gave
her ; not
taking

her

never

design

or

been

once

act

any

have

may

for

had

of

things and

evil

upon

she

she

whatever

wrongs,

disposition;

record

no

world

to the

who

intention,

whom

gladly accepting
account

is

There

proceeding from
being with
any

of those

acts

be

She
; not

inherent

service

servants

even

izing,
realin

and

her.

absolute
magnanimity, or rather
integrity
of intention, subjected her to misunderstanding.
to
The
Martinique was
protracted but
voyage
her
before
the
eventually she saw
pleasant, and
welcomed
hills above
the valley of Sannois, and was
dwelling.
Nearly
by her parents to their humble
had
nine
a
passed since she left Trois-Ilets,
years
careless,happy girl of sixteen ; to return, divorced,
This

the

mother

of two

children

worse

than

fatherless.

102

JOSEPHINE.

parents she found that love and

security for which she had hungered, and in the repose
of La-Pagerie she took melancholy pleasure in
of her childhood.
In company
revisitingthe scenes
with the young
Hortense, she sought out the places
hallowed
to her hy association
: the bathing-pool, the
her
flower-garden which she used to cultivate with
hands
her the lowly huts
of the
own
; visited with
cheer ; excomfort
and
plained
slaves, and carried to them
of sugar-making
to her the processes
going
their dwelling.
in the vast room
under
on
The
Vicomtesse
remained
ing
entirely secluded, visither
and
nearest
Madame
neighbors, as M.
the
Marlet, on
plantation adjoining ; on Sunday
attending services at the little church in the hourg, a
mile away,
of that time, calling
and, after the custom
the cure, at the presbytery.
that this
It is evident
on
that
to her, and
seclusion
welcome
she
was
very
of
here, with more
contemplated a long residence
satisfaction than
been
might have
expected in one
had
the pleasures of Paris.
who
tasted
Still,her
brief happiness there had been
tempered by sorrow,
and the recollection
of it embittered
by the cruelties
she but possessed the guardianof her husband.
Had
ship
if
of Eugene, there at Trois-Ilets,
it is doubtful
could have
France
the calls from
turn.
tempted her to reCarib
the
It is related that she again met
sibyl who had prophesied her elevation to the throne
of France, and who
pointed out to her that while a
been
verified, yet
portion of that prediction had
she was
the greater height to which
there remained
In

the

hearts

of her

103

JOSEPHINE.

to

attain, and

to

reach

which

she

was

to

return

to

France.
Be

that

as

it may,

she

was

not

destined

to remain

of Sannois
de Lalong quiescent in the seclusion
Pagerie. The premonitory mutterings of the gathering
reached
storm
in France
Martinique, and
in the livelyand turbulent
awakened
quick response
Creole ; the island was
in arms,
faction
soon
ing
fightThe convocation
of the Statesagainst faction.
General
aroused
also the people of the colonies
; the
demands
of the people of France
found
echo
in
an
with Guadeloupe and
Martinique, which, in common
Santo
soon
Domingo, was
plunged into the horrors
of civil strife.
ideas
The
new
were
adopted with
its first mayor
as
alacrity ; Fort Royal nominated
de Tascher, Josephine's uncle, who
the Baron
was
destined to take a prominent part in the approaching
From
struggle.
January, 1790, until the close of
the Revolution, Martinique was
extremely agitated.
occurred
the day of the Fete
The
first collision
on
tween
Dieu, 16th June, 1790, at the city of St. Pierre, beand
whites
some
people of color, in which

several

of the

latter

were

slain.

As

matter

of precaution,

arrested
and confined
ringleaders were
in Fort Bourbon
being with
; but popular sympathy
them, they eventually seduced the soldiers guarding
of the fort.
them, and possessed themselves
They
of the fort against the town, the
turned
the guns
retired within
the walls of Fort St. Louis,
governor
and Baron
de Tascher, sent to treat with the rebels,
made
was
prisonerand held as a hostage.
the

104

JOSEPHINE.

The

governor,

hands

of

seemed

on

Gros

the
the

where

Morne,
of the

at the
fearing similar treatment
St. Louis, which
garrison of Fort
of revolt, fled to the heights of
eve
he

rallied

about

him

the

itants
inhab-

mountain

region. Meanwhile, though

immediate
several
of her
taking an
family were
active part in the revolutionary movement,
de
Mme.
Beauharnais
resided peacefully at Sannois
; although
count
greatly concerned, not only for her uncle, but on acfrom
of the news
France, where her husband
had
to the front, in politicalaffairs,and was
come
then

embroiled.

With

all the
now

being

as

of his

ardor

urged

anxious

for

his
a

harnais
impulsive nature, Beauwife
in Paris,
to join him

reconciliation

as

he

was,

some

have
separation. Whatever
may
had been
moved
him
to this, there
no
change in his
wife.
She had ever
kept alive the hope for reunion,
although discouraged as to the prospect, and she
is no doubt
to his appeals. There
lent a willing ear
attachment
for the Viscount
to her
as
; and, even

years

before,

for

had

dispelled the illusions of

their first year of happiness, she still clung devotedly
Above
to their memory.
all,she desired that the
dren
family might be reunited, in order to have her chiland husband
once
more
together. Her anxiety
for their
solicitude
for their
welfare, her tender
future, impelled her to accede to his requests, and
him
consent
formed
She into seek
once
again in Paris.
her parents of this decision, and
one
may
intelliimagine their reception of this unwelcome
though

his harshness

106'

JOSEPHINE.

knowing

gence,
her

and

spouse,
Her
extreme

with

her

that

of the

from

of peace

heart

by

the brutal

that

received

carried

him
he

to the

she

had

received

grave,

pierced to

was

In

apparent ingratitude.

treatment

first-born

hoped she would live

her to stay ; not to leave
plunge into the dreadful
The
ing
father, then suffer-

dignified silence,but
her

ities.
infidel-

many

her

of

had

to

Kevolution.

the sickness

maintained

and

had

who

gladness, and
always, entreated

habitation

vortex

the

being cognizant of his

mother,

with

character

they did the unstable

as

at his

view

of

hands,

his

towards
her
father
and
insulting attitude
the entire
family, this decision of Josephine's to return
to her husband
seemed
to them
inexplicable.
but
cannot
one
Although
deprecate her attitude
her parents, who
towards
had sacrificed so much
for
her welfare, yet one
withhold
cannot
admiration
at
her

and

courage

not
to

which

she

seemed

her

indicated

rumors

to that

duty. The situation in Martinique

devoid of danger, but
was
pared
tranquil, comof Paris, where, as
the condition
frequent

to consider
was

devotion

hastening

to the

plainly
inevitable

to

and

them,

events

were

terrible

catastrophe.
from
Fort Eoyal,
tional
organized, a na-

flightof the governor

was
a
revolutionary government
in
chosen
mayor
guard formed, and another
de Tascher, still a prisoner in
the place of Baron
After

Fort

the

Bourbon.

There

were

four

ships of

war

in the

to sail for
of which
decided
bay, the commander
France, instead of mingling in the civil strife ; and
de Beauharnais
desired
to secure
learning that Mme.

106

JOSEPHINE.

for the

passage

mother

country,

he offered

her

the

*'

He had
hospitalityof his flag-ship, La Sensible.^^
often been
but reat La-Pagerie, and
was
paying
a guest
debt
of hospitality in kind.
a
Josephine
her prepgratefully accepted the offer,and hastened
arations
last the signal was
set
for departure. At
for sailing; at the shore of Trois-Ilets were
gathered
and mother,
all the friends of her youth ; her father
whom
she was
to see
never
again. The commander
made
his preparations so far as
of the squadron had
it
as
possible in secret, for fear of detention
; and
the final signal was
when
ists
set, the revolutionwas,
alarmed

became
remain

in

and

fleet set sail.

the

demanded

and

Word

harbor.

that

the

fleet

instantly sent to
the flagFort Bourbon, which
trained its guns
ship.
upon
had
The
boat which
conveyed Josephine and
from
the shore was
Hortense
hastily taken on board,
the
a

of

rain

the

midst

the

port.

the Baron

of
It
de

which

they
a

depart

in which

he

the

under

be

fire from

confined

bon
Bour-

ships,in
their departure from

fate

should

of Fort

guns

around

made

strange

Tascher

his niece

From
descended

shot

was

was

which

the

ordained

compelled
the

guns

that

to witness
of the

fort

prisoner, and which her

father had aided to construct, twenty-eight years
own
Yet
it was
The
before.
little fleet finally
so fated.
escaped beyond the range of the guns, and the Baron,
well
the anxious
watchers
had
at Trois-Ilets,
as
as
the melancholy satisfaction of seeing the ships disappear
with

was

full sails into

Josephine's departure

the

horizon.

was

in the

month

of

Sep-

108

JOSEPHINE.

est sister

Josephine, Marie
left alone,
was

of

mother

aged

that

on

; thus

the

solitaryestate

the hills of Trois-Ilets.

among

This

mother

lived

here

latter

to have

appears

fortitude

her

Frangoise

and

been

character.

elevated

life of seclusion, till her

years

embittered

by

of

woman

the

common
un-

She

death

in

recollection

1807,
of

filial

to the grandeur that

ingratitude ; indifferent
her daughter after she had
become
the
surrounded
wife
of Napoleon, and
attended
only by a single
servitor.

lonely life on the estate, there are

show
that it was
traditions
not
some
extant, which
without
waited
its perils. She was
by a fosterupon
sister of Josephine, to whom
the family had
been
This young
woman
particularlyattached.
expected
to be set free, but
not
at the
being manumitted
Mme.
expected time, she tried to murder
Tascher, by
putting pounded glass in a dish of peas she had
Her
mistress
warned
was
prepared for her.
only
to her lips.
just in time, having raised the spoon
She
the girl, who
confessed
strove
to shield
the
intended
crime, by sending her to the island of St.
Thomas
unable
her life,the council
to save
; but was
This
alive.
not
was
condemning her to be burned
unusual
an
times, just
sentence, in those barbarous
the
unfortunate
preceding the Eevolution
; and
girl suffered the horrible penalty.* See Appendix, 6.
Eespecting

The

family,

her

foregoing
"

Btill extant

Archives
in the

is

based

de

la

city hall

the

upon

Maison
of Fort

de
de

records

Tascher,"
France,

and

of
upon
upon

the

La-Pagerie
the

the

registers

traditions,

109

JOSEPHESrE.

In

her

Memoirs,

entreated

ago

Josephine
mother

my

France, and had held

prospects. Napoleon
her
her

treat

better

lady
very
not

she
had

with

her

to

*'I had

"

and

come

hiniself

the

had

honors

of

her

long

settle

in

flattering
ceive
promised to remost

greatest distinction.
I am
sure
said, 'and

nobly,' he
the

to

out

the

sustain

says:

rank

'I

shall

she

than

will

certain

"

of

Letitia, who was

household,' Madame
But Mme.
de La-Pagerie would
parsimonious.
accede
if
to her daughter's wishes, and
even
did
not prefer the
at Trois-Ilet,
quiet abode
doubts
to the stabilityof Josephine's
as
many
my

fortunes.

She

''While

her:

wrote

once

pleasure of seeing you again, I

the preservation for you of a safe
of the
a

descendants

fac-simile

in the

parish records
of

the

in

Chevalier
de

Sannois,

Rose,"

de

its father

of

and

mother

and

girl,aged

five

follows
a

been

"

and

Acts

"

Marie-Eose

Mme.

; she has

Jan.

21,

Catherine

Frere

named

weeks,

de

Tascher,

Des

Yergers
Joseph-

Marie-

"

daughter,
in the

body

years."

of

demoiselle

1791,

parish,

the

in

name,

5th

body

for that

Nov.
of

that
of the

Catherine
"I
.

Marieof

the

Desiree

have

de

buried

Joseph-Rose,"

in the

third, and

etc.

daughter,

3d

Sept.,

of this

parish,

aged

La-Pagerie,

eldest

born

cemetery

This

Dec,

11th

bom

Marie-Fran^oise,

buried

Cure."

Capucin,

Emanuel,

Desiree,

"

taken

possesses

"

Joseph-Gaspard

M.

La-Pagerie, and

preceding."
1767, April 6th,
1766."
I have
1777, 16th Oct.

the

the

etc.

1765,

the

author

of Birth

"Acts

day baptized

this

"

"

The

sisters,as

legitimate marriage

Seigneur

slaves.

the

are

Empress's
I have

from

retreat

marriage-registerof Josephine's parents,

of Trois-Ilets

"1763, July 27th.

daughter

La-Pagerie

the

of the

copy

Interment"

of

of

awaiting the
confine
myself to

of

cemetery
was

Josephine,

this

mistake

having

youngest, Marie-Fran9oise.

13

been

110

JOSEPHINE.

tempests

which

Were

you

here, I should

in the

world.

environ

once

else to desire

more

press

me."

overtakes

death

side.

every

nothing

have

Oh, that I could

heart, before

to my

on

you

you

Seeing

:
letter,Napoleon is said to have remarked
I perceive that
de La-Pagerie, like myMadame
self,
wants
to
will permit no
participation. She
day establish
Very well ; I will some
reign alone.
her as a sovereign in America,
and furnish
her with

this

**

code

for the

of laws

nation."

new

all offers of
proudly refused
the
assistance
from
returned
even
Empress, and
the diamonds
adorned
which
a picture Josephine had
She kept the portrait,however,
sent her of herself.
always before her, according it better treatment
than
which
she
of the Emperor,
one
hung in an
unfrequented room,
laughingly declaring that she
Madame

Tascher

afraid

was

At

of its influence

the time

of her

over

her.

demise, when

at
Josephine was
the height of her
the etiquette of
glorious career,
her
to wear
Napoleon's court forbade
mourning or
to display any
sign of grief,so she was
compelled to

dissemble
mother
from
The
in the
of the

1Y66,
from

fields

her

life had

whose
time

the

of her
of the

mother

been

in

mourn

devoted

this

secret

her welfare

to

birth.

Empress

of what

chambers
^-

and

sorrow

had

lived
been

for

many

years

originallya wing

great-house," destroyed by

hurricane

the

Here

she

borne

across

and
this

used
rude

of the

as

kitchen.

dwelling

estate

to

she

the

was

little church

at

in

died
the

Trois-

Statue

of

Josephine,

Fort

de

France

Ill

JOSEPHINE.

Hets, where

one

find

now

may

tablet to

her

ory
mem-

Rose
Widow
Mother

Her

of

Died

J. G.

Majesty
second

the

At
Provided

with

of

her
her

cemetery

sisters

of

baptized,

where

all that

laid

was

Church.

the

the graves
the
these are

solitary place

so

of her

rest.

at

sisters

two

remaining

far

from

the

Josephine
earthly

was

adjoining, stretching down

are

And

years.

at Trois-Ilets

mother

French,

the

MDCCCVII.,

June,

LXXI.

of

of

Sacraments

the

were

sainted

of

La-Pagerie,

de

Empress

the

age

In this little church

and

Tascher

day

the

Sannois,

Duvergerde

Claire
Messire

of

Madame

Venerable

The

to

and

her

memorials,
shores

of

In
the

the
side,
sea-

father.
in

that

France,

phine
comprised the family of Josetinique,
de La-Pagerie, one-time
daughter of Marand
later Empress of the French.
of
Three
miles
the shining waters
across
away
Fort
Eoyal Bay, stands a statue of Josephine, one
times.
of the most
beautiful
sculptures of modern
portant
bas-reliefs
On its pedestal are
representing the im-

of those

who

events

in

life

of her

life,chief

of which

is the

onation.
Cor-

Empress rests upon

a medallion-portraitof
Napoleon, in the right are
gathered the folds of her robe, which drapes a figure
ma
jestic and graceful. The beautiful head is adorned
her
with
the crown
which
Bonaparte placed upon
brow
face, with its expression of wistful
; the sweet
The

left

hand

of the

112

JOSEPHINE.

her

turned

is

yearning,

the

palms,
this

face

her

only

she

found
of

claim

known

of

time,

wistfully

to

the

peaceful

were

years
from

surcease

revolutionary

closely

as

epoch
shaped,
and

of

which
loved

the

of

are

circling
en-

natives

her

of

her

see

alone

where

passed,
turmoil

the

and

identified

with

the

life,

Josephine.

America

career

into

the

of

the

character

that

rors
ter-

may

belongs

when

where

country

to

thus

home

happy

That

crystallized
as

we

France.

but

Napoleon,

great

formative

was

mists

the

turned

her,

statue

oreodoxas,

glorious

home

Martinique.

through

her

the

of

island

And

the

Surrounding

childhood.

the

La-Pagerie,

toward

woman

114

that

JOSEPHINE.

Chapelier, Mounier, Thou ret,

and many
She was
others.
then but twenty -seven
of age, and still in the freshness
of her youthful
years
and
with
prime ; light-hearted, animated,
a
with
polish of manner
acquired by her intercourse
the best of Parisian
the intimate
society. Among
party

friends

of

Barnave,

that

time

she

could

reckon

some

of

the

distinguished representatives of the oldest

de Montmorency,
families ; as the Count
the devoted
in the Assembly
tive
colleague of her husband
; his relaand
de La Eochefouformer
colonel, the Duke
cauld
de
; the Prince
; the Marquis de Caulaincourt
Salm-Kirbourg, and the Princess de Hohenzollem.
and
Her aunt, Mme.
de Kenaudin,
the Countess
Fanny de Beauharnais, were
frequent visitors at
in University Street, and
the little house
she had
for Hortense, whose
education
engaged a governess
carried
under
thus
her own
was
on
supervision,
time
while at the same
studying at the
Eugene was
The
of the
sad
news
college of Louis le Grand.
death
of her
her return
father
to
quickly followed
called
France, and in the midst of her grief she was
not alone
to witness, and
to witness but to parupon
ticipate
uting
in, a series of events which, while contribof society,also vitallyaffectto the overthrow
ed
her
For three years henceforward,
future.
own
her own
with
history is inextricably interwoven
that of her husband
is
; the biography of the one
most

almost

that

of the other.

They were
forgiving, the

cordially united, and, the one

other remorseful, were
equally de-

now

The

Traveler's

Tree

and

Shrine

115

JOSEPHINE.

termined
Not

to

her

even

father's

bury the past

children

in the

knew

of

grave

the

oblivion.
of

extent

their

dereliction.
de

Alexander

Beauharnais, a native by birth of

Martinique, but early adopted by France, possessed,
have
nature
of the tropas
we
ical
seen, all the ardent
Creole, unchanged by transportation to a more
undisciplined
temperate clime, and for many
years
by adversities.
At
his
the age
of ten, in company
with
elder
and
brother
their preceptor, he was
many,
sent
to Gerwhere
he passed two
at Heidelberg,
years
then going to Blois,to live awhile
with his maternal
de Chastule.
At
grandmother, the Countess
the

age

of

sixteen

he

entered

the

and

army,

was

of
assigned to a regiment commanded
by a cousin
de La Kochefoucauld.
his mother, the Due
He was
and
to his duties
attentive
docile, but lively and
imaginative, of a happy disposition and greatly
His figure was
liked by his comrades.
elegant, his
noted for his stylish
manners
perfect, and he was
of exquisite and
in a time
even
elegant
presence,

fashions.

1Y78, the

regiment of the Due

de la Rochefoucauld
sent to Bretagne, with the
was
intention
Rochambeau
of going to America, with
;
Early

but

there

aided
He

in

the

year

no

evidence

that

famous

is

Washington
sojourned a

advised

of

the

that

the

general who

in his victories
while

death

young

at

of

so

over

Brest, and
Desiree

de

ofl"cer

companied
ac-

materially
the
was

British.
there

La-Pagerie.

116

JOSEPHINE.

united
following year, 1779, he was
to Josephine ; his subsequent career
to France, after
traced, until his return
starred visit to Martinique, and finallythe
The

in

riage
mar-

have

we

the

ill-

iation.
reconcil-

by birth a scion of nobility,yet he was

of the Revolution
at the outbreak
all a patriot,and
above
thought he could see in it the regeneration
He
embraced
the
and
of France.
popular cause,
a
supporter of the constitutional
yet was
party ;
wishing to reform, and not to destroy, still he was
carried
by the revolutionary wave,
though
away
quences.
protesting, and aghast at the sanguinary conseAlthough

the convocation

At

of the Three

1789, Beauharnais
of

nobles
order

Blois

was

nature

patriotic.

carried

; but

He

attraction

on

loved

the

among

join the tiers-etat.

to

sometimes
his

elected

was

; but

Estates, in April,
a
deputy by the

He
away

the

whole

the

army,

was

first of

bold

and

his
spoken,
out-

by the ardency
wise, and above
and

civic honors

of
all

had

for

to
as
him, save
they contributed
of his country.
While
his wife was
the welfare
enfended
to France, in 1790, he had
route
courageously deof the general commanding
the
the conduct
the Rhine
on
frontier,M. de Bouille, for his
army
no

at
praetorian insurrection
Mirabeau
had
Nancy, and in conjunction with
into the assembly approving
introduced
a resolution
and complimenting him
for his
the general's course
brave
time
same
Bouille, at one
bravery. That
stern

repressal

of

the

117

JOSEPHINE.

of

governor

English
'^Bronze

Martinique,
several

rule

of

who

General,"

and

who

the

Caribbean

had

had

stood

wrested

from

islands

; the

immovable

for

sword, facing enraged soldiers

of his command
loyalist, the last
; the determined
in his vain flight towards
the
refuge of the king
frontier, in 1791 ; finally compelled to leave the
his own
country he had so long defended, to save
The
life.
of Bouille cast
loyalty and the defection
his friends, and
added
reflection upon
to the sum
of
suspicions subsequently accumulated
against BeauBut nevertheless
he defended
harnais.
him, loyal to
still a patriot.
the military, to his friends
; and
twice
He
elected president of the Assembly,
was
at the flight of Louis
in June, 1791, he
and
XVI.
found
pying
occuhimself, by this defection of the king,
the chief place in the nation.
He was
master
demands
of the hour.
to the
of the situation, rose
after the royal flight,he called the AsThe morning
sembly
and
serious air,
to order, and, with
grave
hours,

with

drawn

^'

"

'*

"

that

stated

he

had

information

to

communicate

of

leagues
his colgreatest importance. He then informed
that the king and the royal family had fled,
of the public safety.
had been abducted
or
by enemies
tense
inThe confusion
tumultuous, the excitement
was
debate
that followed,
; but, during the heated

the

and

terrible

the

king

and

He

won

as

to

the

his retreat, during all the

actions

popular

of

the

ances,
disturb-

the deliberations
presided over
National
Assembly with dignity and flrmness.
he resigned his
the regard of all,and when
Beauharnais

of the

suspense

118

JOSEPHINE.

amid the enthe third of July, it was

on
thusiastic
high office,
elected
replaudits of his colleagues. He was
his presidency
and under
the thirty-first,
on
was
accomplished the most
important business of
itive
the Assembly : the revision,co-ordination, and definvote

the

upon

Constitution

new

of France.

opened on the fifth of August, and

tution
to this Constiafter having given birth, as it were,
deserved
of some,
to
which, in the estimation
its proendure
for centuries, but
did not
survive
jectors
Desirous
of rethe Assembly
dissolved.
pose
after his arduous
retired,
duties, the Vicomte
with his wife and
children, to the seclusion of his
country retreat, the Ferte Beauhamais.
The

discussion

"

"

But

the time

suicidal
the

acts

declared
to the

flocked
of

of the

gauntlet

was

for repose

of

be

camps,

military glory
The

French

war

to

were

Eochambeau,
was

yet arrived.

had

in love

sent

under
and

not

enraged
had been accepted ;
in danger, and
the
attracted
more
by

than

first armies

invaders

had

to

the

to the

attached.

frontier

At

men
young
the prospect

to

fare.
war-

repel the

of Luckner

command
command

the

Europe ;
country

fratricidal

with

the

all

The

and

of the latter Beauhamais

the time

of

leaving

the

to his
frontier,he wrote
quillity
father, stating his desire to assist in restoring tranin repelling the enemies
of
to France, and
his country, and
imploring his paternal sanction.
This
the 17th
letter is dated
January, 1792 ; his
him
his
father
responded duly, bestowing upon

Ferte

Beauharnais

for the

120

JOSEPHINE.

of the

power

The

sounded.

was

de

bayonet," the key-note

Stael,

fear

'^

but

was

the

on

whole

But

Kevolution

revolution, says

audacity

other."

of

it

the

on

the

was

Mme.

side, and
audacity of a
one

long-suffering and outraged people, and the fear of

a
powder-tower about
degenerate nobility. The
which
was
smoldering
unquenchable flame was
at last on
In July took
fire.
place the popular uprising
'^

"

of
attack
and

on

Paris,
the

Bastile

August

the

all feudal

national

the

command

Assembly

enacted

entrusted

of that

the fourteenth

on

to

month

the

formed
guard was
of Lafayette ; in
the

abolishment

of

privileges,and declared the

'^rightsof man
measures
:
accepted by the king,
with the right of suspensive veto ; Oct. 6th witnessed
the
of Versailles
invasion
and
by the Paris mob
the next
of the king to the capital,
day the return
at the mercy
of the mob,
barely held in check by
Lafayette.
The
year 1790, February, the king appeared in the
of July, he took
Assembly, and on the fourteenth
rights and
"

oath

to

support the

took

place what
swear," when,
of the

Carlyle
on

National

On

constitution.

new

the

has

Champ
Assembly

termed
de

the

Mars,

that

date

"great
the

ident
Pres-

{je lejure) to
support the king and the constitution
; the people
all France, swore,
to the remotest
province, as spontaneously
the preceding, and
breaks
as
succeeding, outhad
spread.
This year saw
the rise of the revolutionary giants :
Danton, Marat, Mirabeau, Desmoulins, and many
swore

"

121

JOSEPKCNB.

others, who
the
the

The

of

axe

emigres

Powers

neath
awhile, then fell bethe guillotine. Upon the frontier
gathering, and the coalition of the

led the

were

movement

for the invasion

being formed

was

death

of

in

Mirabeau,

of France.

April, 1791, destroyed

have
hope the king may
anticipated defection ; the cause
lost,and he essayed to escape from

derived
of

he undertook

of the

whatever

from

his

was
monarchy
France
by flight,
He
the 20th
of June.
on
was
intercepted at Vawhen
almost
within
sight of the frontier,
rennes,
where
him
Bouille
was
awaiting him, to conduct
the lines of the emigres.
The king was
taken
within
back
crossed the frontier,narto Paris, and
Bouille
rowly
escaping with his life.
The
cially
the king offiwas
now
Assembly
supreme,
of Septemdead, although by the constitution
ber,
and
that year,
he was
nominally the executive
This power
still held the power
of suspensive veto.

the

next

guilty of
priests.
to

the

in the

to assert

veto

legislativeassembly, declaring
high treason, and against the
The

colonies

of

the
Indies,where
were
committing
there

may

of

massacres.

in

emigres

recalcitrant

especially in
Hayti and Santo

atrocious

given

the

had

France,

blacks

be

insurrection

of

flame

of

measures

extended
West

the

Domingo
The

tion
situa-

sentence, in the

reply

ing
Oge, to one of the white judges : Takit
black powder in his hand, he spread over
some
Now
they are white.
a quantity of flour, saying :
Where
Shaking his hand, then opening it,he said :

of the

chief

"

"

' ^

''

now

are

the

whites

?
"

Ou

sont

les Blancs

"

122

JOSEPHINE.

In

the

it have

must
her

now

the

At
were

by

are

for

of

an

the

Austria

powers

years,

and

Josephine, thinking of
far-distant Martinique :

year
of

army

times

many

Assembly,

against

twenty

whites

the

opening

the outside

with

to

relatives,in

in power
;
of the
vote

declared

alarms, how

these

occurred

and

mother

Where

of

midst

1792, the

160,000
and
the

Girondists

April

in

raised

was

men

conflict

fairlybegun,
until nearly two
was

war

of

was

France
to end

not

million

of

the
battle-field.
perished upon
Again
and
to
again, the hydra- headed
populace rose
of affairs and
the surface
compelled both King and
Armed
listen.
the
to
with
Assembly
pikes, on
of
broke
into
twentieth
the royal
June, a mob
palace, in defiance of national guards ; on the tenth
the
insurrection
occurred
of August,
which
drove
her

sons

Louis

from

the

Tuileries

into

the

in the massacre
of
assembly, and ended
a prisoner, the
king
guard. Thenceforth
to the people ; stripped of power,
a monarch
a

of

arms

the

the

Swiss

was

dead

without

crown.

The

country had

been

declared

in

danger,

in

July,
and an
appeal sent forth for an universal
uprising
ing.
to repel the Prussian
invaders, then rapidly advancThe
from
one
country responded as
man,
center
to circumference
being in violent agitation,
The
armed
and alert.
of
proclamation of the Duke
Brunswick, hastening to the release of the king,
sealed the fate of both
king and ci-devant nobility.
The property of the emigres had already been seized ;

123

JOSEPHINE.

their lives

in

danger, even
though they
might have declared for France, and were
fighting
for their country against the invaders.
They were
declared
suspects," or under
suspicion of conspiring
of the country.
against the welfare
pect,"
susBy
of arrest
their orders
bolical
explained, with diaall who
is meant
by their manner,
vagueness,
or
by their family relations
connections, by their
speech or writings, have shown themselves
partisans
of tyranny and
of Hberty ; particularly
the enemies
all the ci-devant
nobles, their wives, mothers, fathers,
and daughters, brother
sisters ; as well as all
sons
or
have
given constant
agents of emigres, who
proof
of their
attachment
to royalty." Comprehensive
enough, in sooth, and few escaped the clutches of
the revolutionary hell-hounds, who
had not already
Even
the frontiers.
Lafayette,
sought safety over
had
the popular idol, who
the
so
ably controlled
mobs
of Paris, after being sent to the front, where
the Austrians, was
he
several
victories over
won
back
to stand
summoned
trial,
by the Jacobins
now

were

*'

^^

'^

which

meant

across

the

death, and
frontier

and

into

escape

the

arms

which
of

he

fled

trians,
the Aus-

some
prisoner in loathLike
Lafayette, a patriot-noble,
well
in the
Beauharnais
served
; like him,
army
in due
to answer
summoned,
also, he was
season,
In the beginning of 1Y89, a
charges of treason.
the nobility.
splendor and terror still surrounded
The
by
conflagration of their chateaus, kindled
of obstinacy, went
of
months
out
after the fourth
who

kept
dungeons.

him

to

five years

'^

124

JOSEPHINE.

August,

and

all known
as

out, had they at

might have continued
to relinquish
what
to defend, and
what

indefensible."

and French
advance
Eepeated reports of Prussian
losses filled the populace with
fury, causing them to
and culminating
the most
terrible excesses,
commit
of September, when
in the massacres
of the second
into the prisons where
broke
bodies of armed
men

the suspects
thousand
and

confined, and

were

in cold
of

women

'*

blood,

murdered
them

among

gentle birth,
beautiful, good,

as

above

many
the

priests,

Princess

de

who
yet had known
Lamballe, one
to pieces,and her head
no
happiness, who was hacked
fixed on a pike, that Marie
Antoinette
might see it.
of St. Bartholomew,
The September massacres
two
hundred
almost
a
before, found
parallel in
years
and beauty were
sacrificed to
innocence
these, when
insensate
daughters saved their fathers
rage, and
only by drinking the blood of aristocrats.
what
With
and
the
sorrow
shudderings must
of this
Beauharnais
have
heard
hell-carnival, in
of their
friends went
which
down
to death, and some
de Rocherelatives were
killed.
The good Duke
foucauld,
own
"

had

who

murdered

was

aged
His
an

been

mother,

his

the
could

abbey

blood

then

not

"suspect

"

be

might

second

father

the

thus

the

one

ander,
Alex-

of his wife

family, was
tale might

uttered, from
be

to

and

bespattering their cheeks.

Charles
de Eohan-Chabot,

of

friend
; and

in the presence

nephew, the Count

intimate

as

fear

of themselves.

murdered
be

that

at

told, but
the

next

125

JOSEPHINE.

under
desperate valor of the French
army
of the PrusDumouriez
finally turned the advance
rians into a retreat, and the country breathed
more
pects.
freely ; but did not relax its persecution of the susIn the newly-elected national
convention
of
the 21st September the more
violent of the agitators,
in the
the Jacobins, were
ascendant, their section,
the
known
and
as
Mountain,"
representing the
the moderates, or
extremists, far out-numbering
Girondists.
On
was
September 25th France
claimed
proa
republic, and in December
proceedings
instituted against the king which
resulted
in
were
of death.
sentence
of the
a
Thus, in the course
1792, Paris had accomplished the humiliation
year
of royalty ; the downfall
of the aristocracy ; the

The

^'

of

elevation

the

Jacobins

We

have

Mme.

de

that

her

with

power,

of the Girondists

defeat
of the

to

; and

the

responding
cor-

the proclamation

republic.

Httle

of the

information

movements

of

Beauharnais, during this sad and eventful

Accustomed,
however, from
gard
infancy, to reyear.
the sovereigns with respect, even
with reverence,
she could not but have been profoundly affected
their unhappy
by their misfortunes, and have wept over
At
the same
fate.
time, she was
rejoiced
husband

was

sanguinary civil
though well aware
reach

of their

It is

from

remote

strife and

that

the

he

the

terrible

was

not

we

do not

center

of

guillotine ;

beyond

the

possess

the

enemies.

matter

correspondence

of

regret that

of

husband

and

wife, during

this

126

JOSEPHINE.

period, when

trouble

and

sorrow,

shared

in

mon,
com-

gether
brought their hearts very close toin mutual
sympathy.
of the king, on
the 20th of JanuThe
ary,
execution
the
France
execrations
1793, brought upon
of the coof the world, hastened
the movements
alition,
of the
provoked the royalist insurrection
sensions
Vendee, and filled the distracted
country with disBut it united the party in the ascendant,
have

must

'

which

took
on

to

itself the

the frontiers, and

tribunal

and

the

credit of
gave

the French

birth

terrible

'*

cesses
suc-

tionary
to the revolu-

Committee

of

with
the
absolute
over
Safety," invested
power
lives and
property of the people. Ingratitude and
carried
suspicion could go no farther than it was
by
rewarded
this central tribunal, which
bravery with
and contumely, and
insult
patriotism by dishonor
and death.
The
brave
had succeeded
Custine, who
in the Palatinate,
to Brion, after his great successes
had
been compelled to withdraw
into French
tory,
terriFrench
leaving behind him twenty thousand
invested
in Mayence.
The
at once
committee
called
rethe command
to Beauharnais,
him, and gave
of thirty-three, found
himself
who, at the age
General-in-Chief

of the

Army

of the

Khine.

task of retrieving
charged with the onerous
the territorylost by his predecessor,at the same
of the
he
time
was
hampered
by the commands
which
to
terrible Committee,
not
only presumed
but
dictate his movements,
to prescribe victories,
and
of
the men
without
material
furnishing him
He

was

128

view

JOSEPHINE.

of the

effect

such

an

act would

have

upon

the

Committee, despatched a courier with an order for

The
detention.
Princess, having no one to whom
she could entrust
the children, herself took
them
to
de Eenaudin
stance,
Paris, to Mme.
; and, by this circumbeing prevented from leaving the country at
fatal to
the time intended, caused
a
delay that was
her brother, the Prince.
then residing at Fontainebleau,
The
Marquis was
de Beauhamais
where
Mme.
was
a frequent visitor ;
herself
from
her
though she did not dare absent
in Paris, owing
house
to her
conspicuous position
of the Army
of the Khine.
the wife of the General
as
all his energies to the reorganizaBeauharnais
tion
gave
and
the perfection of its discipline,
of his army
that
he was
with such success
complimented even
He
had before him
lean
the hercuby the Committee.
task

of the

deliverance

of Metz

from

the

sian
Prus-

commanded
besiegers,who were
by the ablest
fore
Begenerals, and the King of Prussia in person.
a
assuming the defensive, he addressed
long
diffuse
and
proclamation to his soldiers,breathing
of ardor and patriotism ; but in striking contrast
to
the
parte,
terse, energetic and burning appeals of Bonaand
Eivoli.
He
at Arcole
as
was
inspired
in vain ; the strongwith the highest motives, but
hold
could reach it,and
capitulated before his army
his command
was
only saved by a rapid and wellexecuted
to the strong position
retrograde march
he had
denounced
left.
The
capitulation was
by
the committee
as
infamous, and the failure to re-

129

JOSEPHINE.

lieve

general,
than

as

be

not

offer

to

capacity

His

Josephine had

to Paris.

constantly

sentiment,

kept

other

as

accepted,

was

subordinate

was

ordered

him

informed

of

the

adverse

to

the

increasing,

ci-devant

of the

employment

tribunal

in

he

defeated

Girondist, Beau-

the

by

country

refused, and

was

former

resignation

his

serve

regarded

^'suspect."

As

treachery.

as

ci-devant, and

could

harnais

his

besieged

the

in command

at

once

; but

his

country impelled him to the offer of service

in any
capacity.
the 25th of August, 1793, the reunited
On
family
retired
to their
of
country place, instead
fleeing
of

love

from

the

into

that

dangers

the

menaced

them.

By retiring

Beauharnais

only anticipated by
a few
days the orders of the Committee, promulgated
the 5th of September, commanding
all the military
on
had
tire
noblesse, who
resigned or been
deposed, to recountry,

to their

the

most

On

homes,

lYth

prisons

under

houses

terror

not

had

suspicion.
9

of

nature

detention

blind

begun

of
him
; he

under

prospective victims

buoyant
could

reign of

Paris,

of

and

with
the

from

*^

clergy and

Even

distance

issued
September, was
against the
suspects," by
the nobility were
placed under

order

the

penalties.

extreme

the

at

of

the

and

gent
strin-

which

the

ban, and

filled to

de

fact

his

flowing
over-

guillotine.

the

Alexander
to

the

harnais
Beau-

that

family

the
were

130

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTER

"terror

The

Terror

the

was

XIII.

of

order

day."

the

this devoted

upon

family

surging billow, increasing as it roared and

and
it had invaded
submerged all France.
such
no

person

bounds
the

terrible

menace

of distinction

of the

esteem

and

the decree

as

could
but

republic ;
love of

his

rest

of the

Beauharnais,

rolled,
Under

suspects,

within

secure

the

possessing

counted

neighbors,

; like

upon

in a letter, copied
protection. This is shown
to a testimonial
by the hand of Josephine, in answer
the
from
inhabitants
of Blois, welcoming
to their
midst
who
had given his best years to the service
one
of his country.
of the
month
the
Towards
end
(September, 1T93), these people, wishing perhaps to
from
shield him
the Committee, and to testifytheir

their

esteem, chose him

de
the

Beauharnais, who
capital, sought

behalf

such

protect

one

of their

mayor

persons

was

to
now

who, though

not

Mme.

commune.

yet forbidden

engage
in
content

in

her

influence
to

to visit

husband's
as

would

be

relegated to
this time, the

to fly. At
obscurity, still scorned
old
resided
de
Eenaudin
Marquis and Mme.
Fontainebleau, and Mme.
Fanny de Beauharnais
Paris, with her daughter, the wife of Alexander's

at
in

131

JOSEPHINE.

eldest brother, who

in the

was

of

army

the

Conde.

had

he

placed the lives of all his

relatives in danger
father, brother, wife, mother
and sister-in-law
by the definition of the Decree, an
entire family of ^'suspects."
of the king, to
It had
needed
only the execution
classes and
let loose the passions of the lower
chain
unthe fury of the Jacobins.
The
had
moderates
long since given way to the extremists, and must
and Eobespierre, who
reckon
with Marat
could
now
not obtain victims
enough, who could not shed blood
diabolical
thirst.
All
their
enough, to quench
By his

defection

"

"

was

power

centralized

now

Safety,which

of Public
before

them

in

the

friends

the

so-called

mittee
Com-

day was hauling

acquaintances of the

every

and

Beauharnais.
The
but

suspected family

could

not

its

saw

for the

escape,

precipitatethe catastrophe.
outwardly calm, Josephine
their

attention
and

General

devoted

which, though
all his

time.

felt

night
their

gather beneath
The

flightof
In

an

At

own

of

would

but

heart,

but

husband

at the Ferte

gave

nais,
Beauhar-

grateful that

roof-

himself

inferior

her

impending,

one

agony

and

to their duties

each

fate

own

one,

last, the

they could
tree an united family.
entirelyto his office,
he

allowed

first blow

to absorb

fell,in the
the
imprisonment of the wife of the emigre, on
Her
third of November.
mother, Madame
Fanny,
her friendship with a secretary of the
counted
upon
to protect her ; but his influence
could
Commune,
critical
not extend to the daughter.
More and more

132

JOSBPHENB.

position; faster
the guillotine.

their

became

sharp
The

blade

of

year

1793

witnessed

month

"

of battle

at the

to be

was

the

head

and

faster

memorable

of

feet of the

fall

enemies

the

; the first

one

king

fell

"

as

of the

gage

republic

severed
: that of Charlotte
July, a fairer head was
figure,of beautiful,
Corday, that
stately Norman
killed
who
still countenance,"
Marat, '^one man
in

''

to

innocents

Marat,

not

vain
but

beast, to

savage

Alas!

country."
was

thousand

hundred

save

one

sacrifice
silent

villain

give

repose

of

noble

behind

him,

to

save

to

my

life; it
the

explica
in-

Kobespierre, she should have slain. In

famous, equally guiltless
October, another, more
of actual
crime, equally unfortunate, the hapless
head
Marie
discrowned
Antoinette, whose
queen,
sheared
was
by the relentless guillotine,on
away
To
of the month.
the sixteenth
complete this trio
of French
heroines, add another
shining figure : the
Madame
tion
ninth of November,
Eoland, led to execu'^

Noble
white
Corday 's cell.
vision, with its high queenly face, its soft proud
to the
hair
girdle,
floating down
eyes, long black
in
beat
heart
brave
and
ever
as
a
womanly
as
Grecian
Like a white
bosom.
statue, serenely
of things,
complete, she shines in that black wreck
Charlotte

from

refused
Who
a
was
long memorable."
write the strange thoughts
rising in her.
"0
strange things are done
Liberty, what

pen

to

in

thy

"

"

."

name!
.

The

last

day of October

was

the

last

day

of life

133

JOSEPHINB.

on

earth

in

for the

chorus

so

died out."
death

''Samson's

body:

minute.

twenty-two
axe

Girondists, guillotined
is rapid
head
one
per
"

They attempt the

rapidly wearing weak
.

Marseillaise

; the

But

hastened

not

in the

hearts

the downfall

"

the

of the

chorus

people

of the arch-fiend

has
; their

Eobe-

for his security.

spierrealready trembles
mal.^^
Give
Qa ira; la guillotine ne va pas
time
each
them
enough, they will devour
other,
''

these

cannibals

innocent

; but

the end

before

shall

comes,

how

many

perish !
During the last months
of the year
the persecution of the military nobles,
which
had
begun with
Custine, was
continued,
under
until more
than twenty generals were
arrest,
of whom
most
paid with their lives their devotion
to the infernal
chard,
''republic." Among
them, Bouguillotined the 16th of November
; Luckner
and
1794 ;
Brion, on the first day of the new
year,
nearly all of Beauharnais'
military companions and
self.
himformer
commanders
finallythe Vicomte
; and
He
had
been
had
a
colleague of Houchard,
under
his
served
Brion ; in short, neither
mable
inestiof the Army
of the
services as Commander
of his commune,
Rhine, his popularity as mayor
of his wife, nor
the vigilance of his
the influence
him
from
He
arrest.
was
noble,
aunts, could save
of the constituent
he had
been
a member
assembly,
he was
of an emigre ;
the brother
he was
a moderate,
he
if any,
nounced
qualified for a "suspect." Dewas,
arrested
before the local committee, he was
to the prisons of the
at Ferte, taken
Luxembourg,
.

134

JOSEPHINE.

where

he

found

of

many

his

old

comrades,

also

ingratitude of the republic than

Custine
be baser.
had
which
no
ingratitude can
had fought in America
:
already perished : one who
led him
hither !
man
a proud brave
; and his fortune
Beauharnais
arrested
in January, 1794.
That
was
and
of detention
month
the houses
prisons held
5,800 ; at the beginning of
4,600 victims
; in March
to
April 7,500 ; at the end of April 8,000 ; crowded
the ridge-poles with
suspects."
The
44,000 committees, like so many
companies
and gleaners gleaning France, are
of reapers
ing
gatherand storing it in these
their harvest
of
houses
victims

to

the

"

"

"

'*

'^

"

"

detention."

No

attainted

of

royalty escaped,
had not already fled from
this country accursed.
who
In
November
had
fallen
the
head
of
Philippe
d'Orleans
Egalite, the last remaining of notable
royalty, though professing himself a republican. It
in that same
was
bloody November,"
Carlyle,
says
that two
in his revolutionary rhapsody,
notable
added
phine
Jose: Dame
prisoners were
Dubarry and
one

'^

Beauharnais.

Dame

unfortunate

as

female,

Countess

had

returned

barry,
Dufrom

they snatched
her, not only as ex-harlot
whilom
a
Majesty, and therefore
^suspect,'but
temporaneo
Conemigrants with money.
having furnished

London
of

whilom

with

Beauharnais,
Tascher

soon

whom

to be the

Beauharnais

there

widow
; that

comes
:

the

wife

of

she that is Josephine

shall be

Josephine

for a black
of the
divineress
Empress Bonaparte,
Tropics prophesied,long since,that she should be a
"

136

JOSEPHINE.

able

and

unusual,

in

the

them.

Finally they
Countess
Fanny

relatives,the
din,

who

cared

for them

circumstances

cruel

found

were

and

by

the Aunt

their

while

rounding
sur-

their

Eenau-

mother

in

was

in doubt
and
Josephine was
her heart
the
torn
with
anxiety. As she crossed
threshold
of the Carmelite
prison, still stained with
the blood
of the
September victims, she shuddered
for the future, yet more
from
with dread
sion
apprehenfor those dearer
life.
The
to her than
end, she
herself
with
near
believed, was
; yet she sustained
for the
sake
of those
looking to her for
courage,
assistance, in this the most
trying hour of her life.
The
obtained
General
to the Convent, but
a transfer
in a different quarter, as
confined
is shown
was
by
two
and
letters, written
respectively by father
full of
letters are
These
mother, to their children.
affection, of hope, yet necessarily guarded in expression,
the spies of the Committee
as
were
on

prison.

But

side.

every

for weeks

The

mother's

is dated

Prison

the

from

of the

Carmelites, 28th April, 1794, and is addressed

to Hortense, probably conveyed
to her
by some
sympathizing friend :
"

'*

My
*'

dear

with

dear

little

It

Hortense

so
separated from
pains me
Eugene : I think of my darling
I love and
continually,whom

all my

to be

the General.

Few

and

children
now

my
stantly,
con-

embrace,

Josephine."

heart.

Equally tender,

thee

the
longer, was
opportunities were

but

letter

sent

afforded

by
for

137

JOSEPHINE.

their

with

correspondence

dragged

dear

; the

days
relieved
hopeless, cheerless, unones

dismally away,
from
them.*
by news
The
witnessed
day of Josephine's incarceration
the execution
of fourteen
magistrates of the Paris
parliament
scaffold
the

the

and

Pin

other

of

the

of

and

and

continuous,

and

Beauharnais

were

de

la

of
of

many
in these

the

days

de

the

venerable

briand
Chateau-

de

Chatelet

and

death-carts

old
sent

assembly,

the

were

Duchesse

rumble

The

Comte

the

sister,the Marquis

wife, the

his

Grammont.

his

to the

d'Estaing,

constituent

the

death-cart

same

Malesherbes

Admiral
and

war,

carried

22d, perished d'Espremeuil,

the

on

members

in

while

Villery, the

minister

du

fatal cart

the

next

de

Due

former

Tour

the

on

friends
to the

was

of

the

guillotine.

there
be
for them,
the
under
hope could
of suspicion,allied to the most
shadow
distinguished
road lay before
of the victims
other
what
them
; and
that leading direct to the scaffold ? It was
than
not
What

officer of

solelythe brave
principles,who
who

martyr to his
had
fought vainly for the republic,
of injustice; but every other
a victim

made

was

whose

person

name

was

regime.
Companions with
*

Very

few

letters

jecturally written,
Those

published

trice

Josephine,

Eugene.
ex

Some

post facto.

the

have

at

in

the

and

preserved,
the

"Memoires

the

impress

of

in

of

the

archic
mon-

captivity were

of those

which

were

con-

period
et

particularly, were

bear

reminder

Josephine
been

this

army,

immediately preceding.
Correspondance de I'lmpera-

subsequently denounced
by
authenticity ; but are probably

138

some

JOSEPHINE.

of the

noblest

of the

of France

women

as

the

Duchesse

with
shared
her
the
d'Aiguillon, who
cell once
narrow
occupied by a sister of the order.
Another, at first not prominent, but who eventually
to freedom,
the means
of their being restored
was
of Spanish birth,
certain
beautiful
was
woman
a
of one
de Fontenoy, suspected mistress
Mme.
of the
Here
in this gloomy prison the sweet
Committee.
and
of Josephine won
all
sympathetic character
hearts, for she was
always true to herself,under
whatever
Benevolent
to her
adversity of fortune.
to her equals, politeto those who
inferiors,amiable
assumed
to be her superiors,she won
the affectionate
regard of all her companions in affliction."
On the ninth of May, 1794, Eugene
and Hortense,
then
aged respectivelytwelve and eleven, addressed
and pathetic letter to the
ploring
a naive
Committee, imthe
of their
release
mother, whom
they
declared
of harm,
and
innocent
of any intention
to their existence.
absolutely necessary
To this petition the callous
a
citoyens^^turned
deaf ear, and
at Fontainemotherless
they remained
Tradition
bleau, with their aunt and the Marquis.
has it that Eugene was
apprenticed to a joiner,and
to a seamstress, during the period of their
Hortense
''

''

mother's

incarceration

but

the

most

authentic

history of their lives does not refer to this. It is

left in charge of their
more
probable that they were
far as
them
possible for
so
relatives,who consoled
their loss of father

and

mother.

Meanwhile, the guillotineceased

not

its work

of

139

JOSEPHINE.

death

; its

could

daily victims
as
high as

now

be

counted

by-

fifty and

sixty at a time
the
being sent to fall beneath
glittering steel.
bing
"Soon," said the infamous
Fouquier-Tinville, rubwill
his hands
with
glee, "soon, we
savage
all the prisons and put up
their
vacate
over
doors,
'houses
to let.' The
well; the
guillotine works
heads
roof."
are
a
falling like slates from
They
after
the
were
falling ; but, soon
opening of the
of priests, innoheads than
those
cent
year 1794, other
and
the
nobles, were
brought beneath
women,
For dissension
had appeared within
the
axe.
mune
comeven

scores,

itself

regions
in

this

there

; there

hell-vortex

be but

can
was

room

of

the

one

Lucifer

for but

one

revolution.

Hebretists,

the

tribunal

outraged justice.

the

in the infernal

Eobespierre
Even

the

curred
enraged extremists, inthe displeasure of their chief, and
twenty of
them
perished on the 24th of March.
Danton, the
lion of the Cordeliers, and
the
Desmoulins, were
in April,leaving supreme
next to fall,the first week
and
the terrible triumvirate, Eobespierre, Couthon
Danton
before
his death
St. Just.
had
as
But, even
predicted,his downfall carried with it all the others.
Like
to its comtree of the tropicalforest,bound
panions
a
of lianes, the
network
by an inextricable
giant in his fall dragged to the ground all those
merable
in their innuabout
as
him, enmeshed
they were
crimes.
head
Not one
could be lopped off
be severed
there : all must
here, and another
; the
last one
must
expiate his fiendish deeds, before the
of

enrages,

140

JOSEPHINE.

'^

The

terror,"tigerscaged

among

themselves

horrors

accumulated.

raged
their

of

men

his

finds
"

crimes,
redoubled,

cruelties

; their

Carnot,

name

own

in their

of the

one

'*

list of

the

among

mittee,
compects.
sus-

Only by striking
the rest even
off the head
of the dictator
can
hope
is sealed, yet how
for reprieve. His
doom
plish
accomit,how drag forth the tiger in his lair ? Only
nerved
by love
desperation can do this ; only an arm
of life,or love of love, can
send the
dagger to the
heart
of the tyrant.
It is there, in the convention
;
it is wielded
Tallien, a man
by one
steeped in deeds
of blood, yet having heart
enough to be in love,
Madame
Fontewith a fair "suspect," that same
and
fellow-prisonerof Josephine.
noy, friend
is in durance
him
His mistress
to give
; she urges
her liberty,for the death-axe
is suspended over
her,
and he dares.
the
Dagger in hand, he denounces
the tide, turns
fiend,
it against the archtyrant ; stems
"accused."
Eobespierre, who is decreed
Who

then

be

can

exempt

"

"

He

is arrested

shoots
the

himself

the

to

mangled
shout
the

head

there

him

to the

that

view
the

the

; but

and
As

of the

to

his

bay,

and

next

day

spirators
fellow-conlifts his

Samson

populace,

has

man-of-blood

mighty
fallen

is dead.

freely now
;
for they will
But

bear

jaw

guillotine.

announces

tryant

the

through

tumbrils

death-

; is driven

; escapes

the
soon

is

people

breathe
more
Paris, and France
rejoice,
suspects in the prisons may
be set at liberty.

one

ear
one

deaf

whose

to the shouts

fortunes

we

of
are

an

cipated
eman-

follow-

141

JOSEPHINE.

of Kobespierre conveyed no
the death
ing, to whom
de Beauimport. Three days previously,Alexandre
had
harnais
met his fate ; the twenty-eighth of July,
The
to him.
date
star
meaningless
was
now
a
Five
had set.
of Beauharnais
days before he had

been

dread

Tribunal.

He

nothing except he was

guilty
and
aristocratic
Foredoomed,
name.

accused
an

the

before

taken
of

of

was

bearing
of

aware

himself
with
fate, yet he defended
impending
his accusers,
refuting their
ability, confounding
condemned
to death.
accusations, in vain ; he was
He
returned
to prison, whence, the day before
was
his death, he indited a last letter to his wife, bidding
of the
her
most
farewell, expressing sentiments
exalted patriotism, of conjugal affection, of paternal
6th
solicitude
:
Night of the
Thermidor,
2 (July 24:th,
Yet
Year
moments
some
1794),
and
to regrets, then
to tenderness, to tears
wholly
to the glory of my
fate, to the grandest thoughts of
receive
this
letter, my
immortality. When
you
will have
ceased to live.
Josephine, your husband
that sorsoul pardoned
the moment
row
Thy generous
his

^'

overtook

Providence, who,
Heaven

disposes

this is

one

What

me.

I
of

thanks

do

trust, will bless thee.

me

before

of its mercies.

my
I

...

time
have

to

owe

Now
.

; and

just

even

gone
under-

formality : my hair has been cut off. I

have
of it,that I
contrived
to purchase back
a lock
wife
and
this
children
to my
bequeath to my
may
last pledge of my
affection,of my last recollection.
I feel that
is breaking,
at this thought my
heart
a

cruel

142

and

JOSEPHINE.

my

I love

tears

bedew

Love

each

the

Farewell,

paper.

other, speak often

of

all

me

that
;

and

forget that the glory of dying the victim of

fold."
the scaftyrants, the martyr of freedom, ennobles
never

He

carried

to the scaffold the

loftydisdain

same

for

distinguished him in his attacks upon

the enemies
of his country.
Kegret at leaving behind
him
and
tion
his dearest
most
beloved, the prey to facand at the mercy
of his deadliest
enemies, caused
him
the greatest pain. In the fatal death-cart
he
grasped the hand of a singlefriend, ^but with what
of the Prince
be
that
of
imagined
feelings may
Salm-Kirbourg, who had risked and lost his life by
of Beauharreturning to Paris with the children
death

that

had

"

"

nais.
Thus

perished, on the 24:th of July, 1T94, at the

of
de
thirty-four, Alexandre
Beauharnais,
age
of Josephine, father
of the
Prince
first husband
Eugene and Queen Hortense.
A generous
heart, a proud and lofty spirit; above
and
honest
sincere ; by his premature
all, a man
death
his country lost a great military genius, who
her enemies.
would
have skillfullycombated
patient
Carried
by the impetuosity of youth, imaway
of his married
of even
the slight restraint
the noble
life,he had grossly wronged
companion
Heaven
him.
had
bestowed
But, so far as
upon
possible,in the four years preceding his death, he
had

reclaimed

himself

for his misdeeds, by

had

devotion

endeavored
that

lasted

to

atone

even

to

144

JOSEPHINE.

XIV.

CHAPTER

The
and

Terror

the

months,

extended

even

itself to

downfall

the

the

but

Tribunal,

and

weeks

with

ended

DEATH.

OF

SHADOW

THE

IN

horror

of

of

Eobespierre

it lasted

many

The

popular agitation
of detention, where
the houses
great change in the air, but
divine
had
what
happened.
of
sentence
already under
years.

prisoners felt the

could
only for a while
of them
were
Many
marked
for execution
the
on
death, seventy were
morning that Robespierre perished. Among
very
the

who

those

condemning

had

received

her

but, stupefied

to

with

the

^^act

of

the

scaffold, was

the

horror

of

accusation"

Josephine
her

husband's

benumbed

unable
by despair, she was
Her
it.
to read
her.
companions gathered around
At first a mournful
of hopesilence,the calmness
less
the only sentiment
manifested
towards
was
woe,
but
at last they broke
into lamentation
out
me
;
Her companions' cries awoke
her from
of her fate.
of
the stupor of grief and, true
to the sentiment
ored
ever
self-abnegation which
inspired her, she endeavto perish
to cheer those who
condemned
were

death,

and

"

"

with

her.

countenance

She
and

even

forced

recalled

the

smile

to

oracle

of

her

the

wan

Mar-

145

JOSEPHINE.

tinique prophetess,reminding them

and
particulars,it had been fulfilled,
believed

its

in

to death
*'

Have

no

she

said with

friends.

fear, my

that
''

consummation.
?"

that, in

Do

she

What,

mournful

you

many-

not

firmly/

demned
con-

smile.

know,

Je serai
reine
de
:
yet to be a queen of France
France.^^
And, turning to her intimate companion,
am

"

d'Aiguillon,she added : ^^I will appoint you

dame
d'honneur,^^ a promise she fulfilled when
my
raised
to the throne
an
appointment which
; but
Napoleon would not sanction.
This
an
sally was
inspiration of despair, which
revived
her drooping spirits; but how
for a while
could
itself in the face
of the too
hope sustain
evident preparations for her execution
? The brutal
jailerentered the cell occupied by herself and Mme.
to take Josephine's
d'Aiguillon,saying he had come
for the use
of another
bed away,
How
prisoner.
now," said the duchess, lightly,''are you going to
No, no," said the brute,
give her a better one ?
with a significantgesture, "not at all ; she will not
Mme.

'^

"

another

need

the fall of the

"

"

very

soon.

It

of terror

was

had

the 9th Thermidor

been

accomplished ;
the occupants were
in the prisons, where
in
but
transpiring outside,reigned
ignorance of what was
dark despair. Even
Josephine had resigned herself to
the belief that her end was
near, and, anticipatingthe
brutal office of the executioner, had cut off locks of
her hair to be sent to her children,as a last momento
She had
not seen
them
for
of their loving mother.
brief
days, and had been granted only one
many
lO

men

146

JOSEPHINE.

interview

with

her

days before his

execution, when, their hearts bursting with grief,
His last thoughts
these two met in a last embrace.
of their children, and
she wrote
of her, hers
were
them
be delivered
after she
a letter of farewell, to
In this pathetic mesceased
to live.
should have
sage
ness,
she says :
My last sigh will be one of tenderlast words
and I hope my
lesson.
a
may
prove
I could
when
Time
was
impart sweet instruction ;
but
the present will not be the less useful, that it
of calamity."
has been given in the season
But her
not so soon
to be accomplished ; her end
destiny was
the profoundest depths of
not yet come
was
; from
to rise to the pinnacle of supreme
despair she was
husband,

two

'*

"

fortune.
One

of

her

grated window
making signs
she

was

For

moment

of

this

was

companions, looking
of her cell,
saw
a woman

observed

she

she

her

at

loss

was

the

the

seized

pantomime,

the word

then

noted

woman

robe

that

significantly.

to grasp

she

meant

woman

in the street

the

nodded
to convey.

ing
mean-

'^Kobe"

Seeing
picked up

understood, she stooped and

Pierre
It dawned
a stone
:
Eobespierre !
upon
had
occurred
the prisoner that something eventful
lessly
breathto the arbiter of their fate, and she awaited
the next development.
the robe from
The woman
threw
her violently,at
the same
time dashing the stone to the ground.
It
the prisoner : Eobespierre had
fallen ;
flashed upon
that

she

When

to her.

the

through

was
'^

"

"

the

woman

drew

her

hand

across

her

neck

; he

had

147

JOSEPHINE.

been

guillotined!

The

joyful suspect hastened

to

the

and
the prison
soon
glad news,
in a tumult
was
death, with life
; reprieved from
all its joys now
and
opening out before
them, the
prisoners fell into each other's arms, wept and sang.
The intelligenceso strangely conveyed to them
was

communicate

confirmed

soon

jailers;
Among
out

her

delirium

The

fear
to
her

the

by

the

altered

behavior

of

their

free.
morning they were
the first to be released,Josephine sought
bosom
to her
in a
children, pressed them
of joy, and
bedewed
them
with
her
tears.
of

next

re-

arrest

not

was

Fontainebleau,

absent, and

where

sister-in-law,the

she

was

of

the

wife

soon

she

ened
hast-

joined

emigre, and
she remained
for several months.
The family
where
the viscount,
was
reunited, the only absent member
whose
Josephine mourned
sincerely,in the
memory
She had long since forgiven
privacy of her retirement.
his infidelities and
his neglect ; she only
him
his devotion
remembered
during the past four years,
by

his constancy

Here

ends

to

the

truth, his heroic

first and

most

death.

tragicalperiod of

left a widowed
she was
Josephine's existence, when
in the
mother, at the age of thirty-one. She was
her youth a memory,
prime of early womanhood,
her.
Of this period of her
the future
before
dark
life which
have
rians
scanned, biographers and histowe
have given us few details ; but it would
appear

148

JOSEPHINE.

the

interesting; for it is the

prelude to the second chapter of her career, which
finds her name
that of
intimately associated with
the greatest in the history of France.
Henceforth,
shall find her fortafter a brief period of gloom, we
une
more
brilliant, as we
growing brighter and
that

it

not

was

successive

her

trace

least

steps to fame,

General

of the

consort

Bonaparte,
finallyEmpress of

French

the

found

station, she will be always

of

most

Although

abruptly from

pass
to her
a

of

still,these

the

nearly

death

two

First

and

whatever

of

of her

in

of

to herself.

true

Josephine

first husband

Bonaparte,

years

wife

Consul,
in

but

biographers

General

with

marriage
gap

the

the

as

her

thus

ing
leav-

life

unnoticed,
least known,

the
though
not
to be overlooked.
are
Viewing their many
and misstatements, we
omissions
might with truth
that she had been peculiarly unfortunate
in
assume
her biographers, some
of them
having been entirely
of her
ignorant of the circumstances
early life,and
others

two

years,

unreliable

with

life, she

has

in their
the

of

accounts

great Napoleon.

her
Even

first

quaintance
ac-

in later

been

and
subjected to misstatement
misapprehension of motive, especiallyby her English
have
their hatred
of
allowed
biographers, who
he
to all with
whom
was
Bonaparte to extend
contact.
They have
brought into intimate
lected
negfew opportunities to disparage Napoleon, and
to insult

One
after

of

his virtuous
the

consort.

first acts

finding herself

at

of

Mme.

liberty,was

de
to

Beauharnais,
announce

the

149

JOSEPHOTB.

fact to her

sorrowing mother, so long kept in suspense,

to the safety of
so
as
long torn with doubts
her daughter, in distant Martinique.
While
apprehensive as to the fate of her child,
de La-Pagerie
during the Keign of Terror, Madame
herself
in the
narrowly escaped being submerged
tide of civil strife that

desolated

Animated

sanguinary principles that

Eoyalists and
Eepublicans
fiercely as in the mother-

by the

prevailed in
fought each
The

troops
Eochambeau,

other

as

the

fair

offered

who

republic,a refuge
of Josephine would

at the

attack

to

Mme.

fort.

de

the
But

the

blood.

governor,

La-Pagerie,

generals of the
this

accept, although

not

island.

in

of the

of

one

native

bathed

was

command

of

been

land

under

were

mother-in-law

as

the

France,

and

country,

same

her

the

mother

there

had

of

Trois-Ilets,in
the plantation.
June, 1793 ; and she remained
upon
The estates adjoining were
ravaged and the great
houses
burned, but Sannois de La-Pagerie was
tected
proby both contending parties. In the midst of
the English, taking advantage of the
the civil war,
of the
condition
disturbed
Fort
island, attacked
to surrender,
Eoyal, finallycompelling Eochambeau
desperate defense.
though after a most
Among
those liberated on parole,with the privilegeof retiring
the Baron
de Tascher, Joseto their plantations,was
phine's
an

upon

thus

uncle, who

by

her

years

father,

before

being

her

not

followed

the

thirty years

some

birth.

only

quarter

This

masters

was

of the

course

pursued

before, and
in 1Y94.

island

The
but

two

lish
Engof the

150

JOSEPHINE.

Martinique and the

correspondence between
home
letters
extremely precarious,many
country was
being intercepted,and lost forever to their intended
for the absence
from
recipients. This will account
of any
the family archives
reply to the first letter or
Four
letters,written by Josephine to her mother.
her
months
after
of
deliverance, or on the 20th
letter to her
another
November,
1794, she addressed
than
fortune
mother, trusting to a more
prosperous
its predecessors,and this missive is still
had attended
To
in existence.
the widow
It is superscribed :
La-Pagerie, on her estate at Trois-Ilets,island of
Martinique," and in it,after explaining that it was
entrusted
of a gentleman bound
to the care
for New
England, via the French
islands, Josephine says :
ocean,

'^

"

"

I shall be

ance
happy if it reach you, with the assurand
daughter
grandchildren are
your
of my
fortunes
misdoubtless
are
already aware

that

You

well.

that

widow,

and

my
dearest
I

have

left with

dear

and

only

mamma

wish

is

as

some

live

been

now

day
hope

four

children

my

sole

my
to be

months

to console

support.

reunited

to you,

me,

My
and

this desire
be
that
only in the
may
realized.
all embrace
Adieu, my dear mamma
; we
and
not a day passes
do not
that we
speak of
you,
and
of our
hope of seeing you in good time.
you,
From
Again, farewell.
daughter, who loves
your
you

with

all her

heart."

''La-Pagerie,
''Do

not

relatives

servants."

forget loving
and

friends

and

veuve

Beauharnais."

remembrances
a

greeting

to

all

to

all

our

the

152

JOSEPHINE.

with
brace
portunity for communicating
you, and I emit eagerly. I hope this message
from
your
will reach
you
; for
poor Yeyette and her children
of your
she has great need
sympathy ; her heart
for that of which
she has been so long deprived.
yearns
You
be aware
must
by this time, of
.

the

know

that

the

I have
of

means

; and

Emmery

other

no

than

recourse

deprived

of my

the

of

and

partner (bankers,

our
or

for

not

only

husband's

without
his

assistance

must

to you

am

...

am

and

me,

existence.

my

but

widowed,

befallen

that have

misfortunes

erty
prop-

good friends,
brokers, to

the

and
La-Pagerie sugars had been remitted
which
I
how
they advanced), I do not know
upon
have
maintained
I know
should
myself alive.
well your
too
the
honor
to have
regard for my
least doubt
that you
will supply me
with
the means
for subsistence
and
indebtedness
to requite my
to
them.
I shall have
to depend upon
bounty
your
tance
me
a remitentirely,and must
beg that you make
whom

...

...

at least
children

well

the

never

dearest

again

more

wish

embrace

time

to be

of your
you, with

at

mother

was

we

shall

be

you
are
once

their
ing
lookmore

separated ; and this is

Yeyette. Farewell, I

poor
all my

heart

and

soul.

Beauharnais."

veuve

able to remit

long intervals, and

The
.

when

''La-Pagerie,
The

months.

to the

forward

reunited,

four

or

they love you and send

greetings, in which I join. We

are

tenderest

three

every

but

small

sums,

and

Josephine's position,depend-

16S

JOSEPHINE.

ent

she

them,

became

from

day to day
ever,
more
precarious. Through their assistance, howshe was
enabled
to live during the
tion
starvatime
of
with
1795 ; though, in
common
others
of her
at times
at loss
class, she was
many
to procure
of daily bread.
a morsel
the advice
of the friends
at
Finally, acting upon
Dunkirk, to which
were
port the Martinique sugars
burg,
a flying visit to Hamshipped, she resolved to make
established
the
where
was
banking-house
her remittances
received.
She
were
through which
arrived
there towards
the last of October, and
was
cordially received
by the banker, M. Mathiessen,
advice
she was
enabled
to effect
through whose
three bills of exchange
on
Martinique, as appears
dated
30th
letter to her mother,
from
a
October,
1795, from Hamburg
dear mamma,
three
You
will receive, then, my
from
bills of exchange, drawn
Hamburg,
upon
you
the 25th
sight, in my
October, at three-months'
follows
250
as
: 400, 350, and
favor, in three sums,
I need
remind
how
not
pounds sterling.
you
these
it is to honor
drafts, since they are
necessary
as

was

upon

'^

"

^'

...

for the

generously assisted
do you
"Why
mamma

of the

reimbursement

Think

me

and

hesitate
how

much

friends

my

children.

to

rejoin

us,

and

trouble

have

who
.

so

my

dear

vexation

dear
Yeyette, who
coming would save
your
lives only in the expectation of soon
seeing you, and of
realizing the hopes she has so long and so ardently

your

cherished.

It is also the

advice

of

our

friends

to

154

JOSEPHINE.

to
everything possibleinto funds, and come
as
agreeable, to rejoin your own
children,

convert
us

as

soon

who

love

this

assurance

and

you

will

of

well-beloved

ever

tenderest

tenderest

These
reduced
may

have

regard,

my

Eeceive
and

good

letters

show

friends
my

the

she did not

become,

Give

well.

are

my

; remembrance

old

for

nurse

me."

conclusively that, however

of

widow

the

aunts

; embrace

Beauharnais.

veuve

to all my

regards

domestics

to the

and

father-in-law

My

you.

mamma.

'^La-Pagerie,
"

cherish

Vicomte

Beauharnais

appeal

to

strangers

to

her, nor to charity. It was to her commercial

of the Marthe sugar
tinique
agents at Dunkirk, where
shipped for sale ; and to her
plantation were
banker
the financial
at Hamburg,
through whom
transactions
were
conducted, that this courageous
mother
had
and
It
recourse.
sagacious woman
is possible that she
have
received
assistance
may
from
record
of it.
others, but there is no authentic
These letters,speaking eloquently through the forgotten
years of the century past, dispelthe cobwebs
of fancy and invention, of envy
have
and hate, which
assist

been

about

woven

daughter

of

the

memory

and

the

La-Pageries. In
her continued
existence
during the
distress subsequent to her marriage
her

detractors

integrity,when^

have
as

assailed
we

have

her
seen,

deeds

order

of

this

explain
terrible period of
with Napoleon,
to

virtue

neither

and
did

her
she

156

JOSEPHINE.

barter

the

could

not

are

have

for

reason

as

and

herself

have

we

the

serenely,
unremitting

wounds

and

faithful

conceal

and

in

the

her

scars

her

She

was

we

have

charge,
efforts

the

nor

She

loyal
to

days

her

sity
adver-

children,

husband.

of

no

to

under

her

we

faithless

developed

her

to

she

was

to
of

memory

friends,

Terror.

it

seen

faithless

sorrow,

to

than

she

that

other.

the

assuming,

in

beHeving,

character,

faithless

other

been

warranted

not

from

depart

nor

one,

bore
to

heal

her
the

of

the

156

JOSEPHINE.

XY.

CHAPTEK
MADAME

"

The

the

TALLEEN

Terror

ended,

Bound

her saZo^, and

is

her

gathered

citoyennes in sandals
remnants

of

soever

of

luxury succeeds
mistress, now
wife,*

season

Tallien's

reign of poverty.

establishes

DIRECTORY.

THE

AND

brilliant

gives

soirees.
.

of
Eepublican army
ci-devants, or other ; what
a

new

the

old

survives

grace

are

At her righthand in this cause

gathered there.
labors
fair
Josephine, the Widow
Beauharnais,
of
though in straitened circumstances
; intent, both
the grimness of Eepublican
them, to blandish down
Grim
austerity,and re-civilize mankind.
erals
genwhich
of the Republic are
do
there
among
bronze-comnot recognize once
that little,
we
more
from
the
plexioned artilleryofficer of Toulon, home
Italian wars
Somewhat
?
forlorn, for the present,
stands
that artilleryofficer ; looks with
those deep,
.

eyes of his into a future

stands
work
there,without

forsaken

and

for the
and

eyes
*

manner

at the

seem,

Jeanne

kind

closed

waste

as

or

as

the most.

outlook, in this

glances, nevertheless, it would

glance

rest,with

Marie

earnest
He

of

severe

lips,waits

Ignace Therese

Josephine Beauharnais
countenance,
what

Divorced

from

Tallien, 1802

Died

in

Belgium,

Jan.

15, 1835.

open

will betide."

Cabarrus, bom

1775

with

; married

in
the

Saragossa,Spain,

Prince

of

Chimay,

167

JOSEPHINE.

In

order

to understand

the current

of events

that

Josephine from prison into the society of

the ruling parties,we
must
retrace
our
steps, and
stance.
this rope of circumgather up the threads that wove
BeauA
fellow-prisoner with the Widow
the beautiful
harnais
and her companion suspects was
the daughter of Count
Madame
de Fontenoy,
of finance, who, at an
Cabarrus, Spanish minister
de Fontenoy, a
to M.
early age, had been married
She was
councillor to the parliament of Bordeaux.
divorce
a
unhappy with her husband, and secured
shortly before meeting with Tallien, who, in 1Y93,
mission
had been
sent
to
on
a
by the Convention
'^In
rules
Bordeaux
Bordeaux.
Tallien, bristly,
fox-haired
in years, now
become
Tallien, still young
most
gloomy, potent ; Pluto on earth, and has the
had

borne

This
in allusion
to his crimes
keys of Tartarus."
But
as
agent of the revolutionary committee.
there he met Mme.
de Fontenoy,
brown, beautiful
became
who
daughter of Cabarrus
woman,
;
his mistress, whom
he would
wed."
She was
born
in Saragossa, Spain, about
thus some
1775, and was
twelve
the junior of Josephine. Her
beauty
years
decided
sensation
in Paris,
such
to cause
a
was
as
.

''

and

her

escape
fallen
the

fame

filled the

though
with her, and

arrest, even
in love

ears

of all.
the
she

But

powerful
was

she did
Tallien

incarcerated

not
had

with

prisonmen
her imIt was
suspects of the Eevolution.
and the imminent
tion,
danger of her executo make
his desperate onled Tallien
that
slaught
inKobespierre ; and thus she was
upon

other

158

JOSEPHINE.

directly the
but
ladies

from

She

generous,

kind

and

whom

had

been

death

she
of

said

'^

her

was

amiable
the

; and

of

means

call

If you

phine,
only of Josenot only handsome,

not

release,

others.

of many

but

the

of the

cause

of

one

saving

Mme.

parte
Bona-

call Mme.
must
Lady of Victory, you
Tallien
our
Lady of Good Help."
of fashion,after
the acknowledged
She was
queen
the
establishment
of the Directory, and
the
"set
of her small court ; though all
for the ladies
pace
not have
followed
in it. In truth, her
tionary
revolumay
reputation was
urged against her appearance
at the court of Napoleon, when, by that strange
of Fortune's
the
turn
first
wheel, Josephine was
The
latter
debtedne
never
forgot her inlady in France.
however, to Mme.
Tallien, and would
have
bestowed
honors
her, but for the interdict
upon
of her royal master.
Although Tallien had dared
for love
of her, yet the possession of this
death
beautiful
did
not
woman
fully realize his hopes.
she
After a few years of married
life,during which
bore
him
several
children, they were
divorced, in
our

"

''

"

She

1802.

Greek

which
than
*

Jean

L., born

1791 became
'

93,

of

sent

; '95 assisted

on

in

Bonaparte

by

the

English

her

and

her

1767

Jacobin

mission

to

Bordeaux

to
on

Egypt,
the

as

return

one

in

semi-transparent,
charms

wishes.*

; died

the

establishment

Tuileries

transcendent

of

the

the

husband's

in Paris

member

at

appear

clinging

displayed more
was
agreeable to

Commune

taken

to

costume,

Tallien,

In

wont

was

Nov.,
Club

1820.

'92, clerk

; '94 denounced
of

of
voyage

the
the
;

of

the

pierre
Robes-

Directory; '98, accompanied

"

scientific

1802, divorced

men

"

from

160

JOSEPHINE.

of the

Convention

Paris, and

shared

against the rebellious sections of

in the Kepublican coup
d^etat of

His
influence
was
'^Eighteenth Fructidor."
the overthrow
between
of
strongest in the interim
and the establishment
the revolutionary tribunal
of
of the
elected a member
he was
the Directory, when
the

''

of Five

Council
At

the

length
of

ruins

the

and

anarchy

Hundred."

Directory

what

after

remained
The

misrule.

established, upon

was

revolution

three
had

of

years

destroyed

spirators
conculpable of the blood-stained
had
fallen by their own
hands, their heads
dissevered
of decapitation.
instrument
by their own
remained
Some
for years
unpunished, their many
crimes
took
the lead
unavenged
; they themselves
in the formation
of a stable government
tempt
ator
an
had
The
who
at such.
thousands
perished
made
bound
no
protest, except through those once
to them
yond
by ties of blood, safe, though impotent, bethe
frontiers
of France.
Those
remaining
dared
not raise their voice ; they must
accept the

itself ; the

their

masters

enough,

for the

terms
was

had

their
of

chaos

should

hands

the

reins

the

anarchy

long to be tossed
of

passion

the

shore

peace

to

see

fit to

dictate.

It

moderate
present, that the more
to power,
or
were
striving to grasp

returned

within
the

most

of

ark
on

the

government.
of

From

safety finallyappeared,
tumultuous

waves

to land
never
intrigue ; destined
of security ; but
bearing messengers
long-suffering people.*
and

Carlyle.

on

of

161

JOSEPHINE.

In

the

efforts

of

the

Council

of

Ancients

proposing
actual

The

Directory
of

Council
Five

the
Year

power
of five

earnest

The

new

the

right of

of

the latter.

an

Executive

in

lodged

'^

of

exclusive

consideration
to be

was

the

the

Council

the

to
members,
Ancients, from

the

the

assemblies

two

and

having

the

for

Hundred.

III."

in

vested

former

laws

of

result

Eepubhcans, the legislative

Hundred,

Five

; the

the

as

moderate

declared

was

power

1795,

year

chosen

be

by the
list presented by

Constitution

of

the

the

people; but even

in its birth
it came
near
being strangled by the
that was
Convention
responsible for its existence.
and
to provide
Desiring to perpetuate their power
check
for Eoyalist or
ultra-Jacobin
a
return, the
authors

of the

thirds

the

from

acceptable

was

Without

of

assembly

themselves
among
in its place.

which

decreed

constitution

new

new

to

; hence

anticipating
that

chosen

be

uprising ;

new

of

current

France

two-

of

events, it

ruled

by the
Directory for four years, during which period it had,
ficiatin
altogether,thirteen members, only one, Barras,* ofduring its entire term of official life.
be

may

mentioned

the

should

500

that

Barras, P.
in
;

J.

N., bom

overthrow

of

1755 ;

'98, executes

overthrown

for

aid

while

until

1873 and

1895.

after

the

restoration.

to

mental
'94, instruof

tion
Conven-

quell insurrection
banished

paramount,
Died

'95, President

d^etat which
a

Toulon

at

by Bonaparte ; later,conspired with

banished

II

to his

the coup

Fructidor;' 99, reigns

1793

Kobespierre;

October, calls Bonaparte

sections
18th

the

F.

was

1829

the

until

of the

minority,

Directory is

Royalists, and
; memoirs

was

published

162

JOSEPHINE.

The

supreme
and

power

of these

With

exercised

was

by

stands

five Barras

five

forth

uals,
individ-

uous.
conspic-

Josephine has been

associated, to her discredit ; her enemies
seizing
the fact of their alleged intimacy to cast the
upon
blight of suspicion upon her every act and motive.
Barras
was
a notable
figare before he became
sociated
asof the Directory.
with the ruling members
in the East
He
had
served
of
Indies, with the rank
took
the
part in the attack
captain. He
upon
and
the
Bastille
elected
was
Tuileries, and
a
In 1793, he was
member
of the first Convention.
of France, where
his severities
to the south
sent
against the anti-revolutionists, at Toulon, made
him
Kepublican. He was
prominent as a devoted
one

of the

his

most

name

active

that

in

of

the

revolt

of

the

ninth

the Kobespierleading the attack upon

the
took the
rians, and
commanding
troops who
arch-enemy prisoner. The day following he was
pointed
apa
secretary to the Convention
; in November
member
of the Committee
of Safety ; an ardent
secutor
perof the Montagnards, as well as of the Koyalists and
In February,
emigres.
1795, he was
elected president of the Convention
as
one
; chosen
of the five members
of the Directory, he is said to
have
used
his position to gain immense
wealth, and
for gratifying his passion for
to procure
the means
debauchery.
This was
with whom,
the man
through force of
circumstances, Josephine was
brought into contact.
his reputation was
It is true, that
bad, perhaps

Thermidor,

163

JOSEPHINE.

none

of

was

in that

even

worse,

personal behavior

time

not

too

of

his

when

the

records

closely scanned.
It is to be feared that less attention
was
given to the
bore than
character
at that time
to the position
one
he held.
It was
a period of disruption,of confusion,
of sauve-qui-peut; any straw
be grasped by the
would
cation
once
haughty noblesse that gave a promise of extrithe whelming
flood.
In
from
the Memoirs
of Josephine is a characterization
of Barras, which
if
her own
not from
pen (as is alleged), at least gives
a
*'

delineation

contemporary
He

He

the

was

were

hope

of all

severely censured

cast

contempt

upon

features

parties,but espoused

the
our

salient

of the

men

fierce

none.

revolution

demagogues.

and

He

had

of

just cause

of them
complaint against many
; yet,
for his own
them
all.
He
advantage, he caressed
His youth having
the liveryof no faction.
wore
and very irregular, he was
been
boisterous
despised
flamed
by the nobility,and this circumstance
probably inhis zeal in favor of the revolutionary principles.
.

He

was

king. He
not accepted, and
; it was
by frightfulmenaces.

judgment

on

him

dictated
Barras
a

he gave

the vote
became

mission

as
on

tribunal

tendered

the

denounced

of the

member

sat in

his

resignation
swered
anproposition was

the

The

Brutuses

recusant, and
that

that

dread

of the
fear

alone

occasion.
.

acquainted

with

had

the
held

division

on
Bonaparte
of the southern
into one
departments.
rising against the Convention, Bonaparte

the

post of general

of Paris.

Not

when

After

sembly
as-

of

the

feeling within

troops of the
himself

the

164

JOSEPHINE.

repel force

to

courage

by force, Barras

authorized

This
Bonaparte to reap those sterile laurels.
act was
impelled by a
enough for those two men,
thirst for celebrity,and
the
proud of having made
of the one,
The
moderation
and
capital tremble.
the Frenchmen
had made
the foresight of the other
in opposing the acts of a
resolute
who
most
were
their
feeble
it was
as
as
arbitrary, lay down
power
.

arms."

Tallien,Barras, Bonaparte
the

history

of

widow

these

three

with

period of the French

after the other
descended, retired
from
which
they had emerged,

One

is left

an

immortal

the

revolution.
to

the

until

which

with

name,

link

names

Beauharnais

eventful

most

one

of the

scurity
ob-

only

that

of

Josephine is inseparably associated.

By an arbitrary decree of the Convention, which
prescribedthat two-thirds of the assembly should be
taken from
its own
ranks, offense was
given both to
Eoyalists and middle-classes,who, most
strangely,
in an
united
uprising against their newly-elected
of fortune,
law-makers.
reversal
By a remarkable
of its anthe Convention
found itself opposed by some
cient
supporters, and

allied with

it the

of

worst

the

the side
on
proletariats. The greater strength was
of the Eoyalists,who
prepared for a conflict to the
could
death
action
determined
and
; only prompt
save

the

The
energy,

troops

Convention

president himself
he

made

annihilation.

from

the

at his command

was

best

man

of

courage

and

dispositionpossible of

; but

he

hesitated

to

assume

the

165

JOSEPHINE.

the

responsibilityfor
from

the

carnage

combat

that

he

knew

at close

quarters. His
indecision
cost him, eventually, his position ; cost
into prominence
millions
of soldiers ; elevated
France
and
him
his companions
hurled
rival who
a
soon
his southern
At
from
on
Toulon, while
power.
met
had
skillful
Bonaparte, whose
mission, Barras
that
the English
port from
strategy had delivered
into the hands
of the French
Eepublicans.
In the summer
of 1795 Bonaparte was
in Paris, on
of poverty, without
the verge
He had
employment.
of general of brigade, but had been
risen to the rank
off the list of employed officers,
for disobestruck
dience
of orders.
That disobedience,which
consisted
in a refusal to proceed to the west, to join the army
the cause
elevation
of Hoche, was
of his ultimate
to
command
of the French
the supreme
armies, and
of France
his head.
For,
placed the crown
upon
of the assembly were
in a painful
while the members
state of indecision,an
to Barras.
inspiration came
*'I have
:
Turning to his colleagues,he exclaimed
little Corsican
want
the man
we
: he is a
officer,who
will not stand upon
ceremony."
Barras
was
appointed commander-in-chief, and
the* latter
Bonaparte second in command
; but upon
the
devolved
tions.
duty of repelling the oncoming secmust

ensue

With

what

energy

he

did it ; with

what

skill

posted his troops, defending the salient points of

attack ; concentrating at exposed positions, mowing
down
the enraged soldiers of the national
guard
with his artillery; all this has passed into history.

he

166

JOSEPHINE.

the

It

was

of

the

*'

that
old

at

which,

road

he

would

whiff

of

ways

which

of

good

of

France,

actual

This

rout

thirteenth

the

command

Never
for

neither

of

Parisian

event

to

done
in

reference

the

than

But

blood.
saddled

upon

accredit

it to

; Paris

was

speech

before

of

this

troops
*

the

assembly,

with

Bourrienne,

much

so

"

Memoirs

of

of

is

eral
gen-

action.

who

to

which

spiller
for
in

the
turn

and

his

he

had

Bonaparte."

with
and

able
for

it
Bar-

said,

Napoleon

However,

indebted

are

skill."

over,

the

as

revolution,

around

the

known

was

responsibility

^^It
we

of

the

Convention,

the

rabble

disinterestedness
known

had

each

for

Eoyalists.

saved

dispositions that

it

Bonaparte,

Bonaparte:

into

authority,

credit

the

of

Convention,

presented

be

hour

uprising

such

for

fortunes

an

After

to

from

delayed
the

retreat,

was

anxious

to

prompt

the

saved

known

was

was

was

sought

ras,

less

came

delayed

long

In

disclaiming

before

orders,

years

Vendemiaire.

spectacle

strange
in

was

his

against legally-constituted

sections

the

hesitate

formidable

the

was

not

did

changed

into

attack

the

he

too

years

had

he

meeting

six

which

"

the

At

take.

world.

the

fighting

converted

as

royalty

of

arrived,

; six

career,

his

grape-shot"

time

Broglie's

the

of

turning-point

the

fense
de-

posted

168

JOSEPHINE.

frequently wrested from their possessors,

The
of war.
Bonapartes,
by the varying fortunes
like the La-Pageries, were
of noble
birth, coming
ous
from
Tuscany ; but at the time their most illustriin reduced
son
was
circumstances,
born, were
The
father
living a retired life on a small estate.
of Napoleon died while the son
a youth, leaving
was
his wife with
a
large family ; the oldest, Joseph,
head, but Napoleon the actual,
being the nominal
from
his superior force.
In 1779, April 25th, Napoleon
entered
of
at the Eoyal Military School
was
he remained
five years.
Brienne, in France, where
In a report of the inspector of the
royal military
schools, in 1784, is this description of the young
and

arms,

student
"

M.

:
"

Bonaparte (Napoleon),born 15th August,

1769, height 4 feet,10 inches,10 lines ; in the fourth
class ; has
health ;
a
good constitution,excellent
character
obedient, upright, grateful ; conduct,
regular ; has always been
distinguished for his
application to mathematics
; is passably acquainted
with
in
well
history and
geography ; not
up
ornamental
he
studies
in Latin, in which
is
or
make
an
cellent
exonly in the fourth class. He would
sailor.
He
deserves
to be passed on
to the
Military School of Paris."
At the School of Brienne, he was
not a favorite
with
his companion-studcntc, owing to his reserved
he
nature
disposition and his fierce Corsican
; but
He
was
easilyrecognized as a leader.
enjoyed the
de

society of

his

elders

more

than

that

of

his

class-

Bonaparte,

First

Consui

169

JOSEPHINE.

mates,
converse

whom
which
At

with

whom

he

particularlydelighted to
Abbe
being the celebrated
Raynal, to
he later dedicated
a
History of Corsica, with
been
his leisure hours had
occupied.
one

the

age

of

fifteen

he

was

sent

on

to

the

the
with
Military College of Paris, in accordance
of
the
recommendation
standing
notwithinspector, and
and
his
the
mental
ornadeficiency in Latin
the ill-will
branches."
Again, he incurred
of his fellow-students, as
well as of
the faculty,
to one
of his superiors,
by addressing a memorial
the
of the
beneficiaries
of
extravagance
upon
this
of
recommended
that
instead
college. He
being encouraged in leading luxurious
lives,with
be
servants
at their
command,
etc., they should
placed under
frugal
Spartan regulations, with
hardy and
diet, thus to become
temperate, and
their
to
good examples
prospective commands.
''

This

recommendation

sixteen.

In

October

written

was

of

the

same

at
year

the

age

of

Napoleon
brigade of

lieutenant, in a
appointed second
he remained
artillery,and sent to Valence, where
His
father
died that
in
had
nearly a year.
year,
of February, at the early age of thirtythe month
eight.
The
her
relatives
mother, left dependent upon
for support, was
ever
an
object of solicitude to
whom
she relied more
than
Napoleon, upon
upon

was

the

leave
Joseph. In 1787, he obtained
to visit her, remaining absent
in Corsica
for nearly
obtained
months
seven
; returning to France, he
eldest

son,

170

JOSEPHINE.

of

leave, and again went to his native

he stayed till May, 1Y88.
island, where
His third return
to Corsica
was
not, it is to be
feared, prompted altogether by filial regard, for
find him
we
engaged in revolutionary movements
lasted from
during a good part of his stay, which
He overstayed his
September, 1789, to June, 1791.
absence
which
leave
an
was
some
eight months,
his pretext of contrary
on
subsequently excused
an

extension

The

winds.
to

have

next

his

not

was

so

fortunate

derelictions

from

dismissed

he

year

overlooked, and
service, for absence

the

leave, 'having returned

to

Corsica

he

as
was

without

in

August, 1791,
left in May, 1792 ; all the time being occupied
and
In
he
in revolutionary attempts.
June
might
in Paris, impoverished, living in
have
been
seen
obscure
tion,
lodgings, out of favor with the administrathrough his own
fault, and seeking employment.
It was
while
thus disengaged, a rambler
through the streets of Paris, that, one day in June,
with
his friend, his former
in company
mate
schooland
future
tered
secretary, Bourrienne, he encounthe

mob

Tuileries.

''

to

its

on

Let

us

his chum

position commanding
scenes

of
the

follow

enacted

royal downfall.
the king
palace, saw

the

with

the

red

the

mob,"
their

and, taking
the

cap

attack

the

to

way

of

said

the

parte
Bona-

stand

in

the disgraceful
palace, they saw
that proved the precursors
enter
the mob
They saw
at

appear
on

his

indignantly exclaimed,

one

head.

his

of the windows
And

parte
Bona-

sympathies

with

171

JOSEPHINE.

king:

the

should

They
them

the

set off fast

; the

cannon

this

to

true

of

the

rest would

in Paris

was

occurred

of the

then

of

have

affect

which

him

fatal

his

taining
main-

against the

tenth

of

the

Swiss

These

much

so

deplorable

was

of the

as

the

to

seem

in

capital.

that

on

power,

slaughter of
the deposition of the king.

not

rabble?

shown

as

Convention

constituted

rabble, the canaille

and

that

five hundred

or

sentiment,

of the

defense

subsequent

when

in

enough."

was

He

they let

swept off four

have

with

He

have

"Why

in

the

reinstated
finally,he was
; not
but
to the
promoted
grade of
back-pay granted, dating from

guard
did

events

his

as

August,

tion,
situa-

own

extreme, until,

only reinstated,
his
captain, and
the

time

of

his

removal.
This

the

was

in

again

was

with

his

for

another

family,

for

he

of

time

served

do
a

not

which

merely

had

he
were

into

enter

bearing

under

alone

upon

review,
state

that

had

ried
hur-

but

to

against Paoli,

the

his father

whom
A

had

admirer

former

at

one

of the

against him, for

to him
sufficient,but which
this discussion,except as having
had

turned

his character.
we

he

himself

to

declared

adjutant.

as

great Corsican,
reasons

island

he

family, and also to participate

This
revolutionary attempt.

Corsica, under

hero

September,

his

disastrous, not

was

; in

August

Corsica, to which

succor

in

latter

last of

will

not

this action

As

that

proceed
of

his

to

seems

is not

now

details,but
the

least

172

JOSEPHINE.

defensible

of

since he

any

arrived

had

the

at

age

from
sica,
CorBonapartes, driven
landed
at Nice, in July, 1793, in a condition
destitution.
Napoleon joined his
bordering upon
and Toulon.
regiment and proceeded against Marseilles
of

The

discretion.

It

is

at

this

latter

port that the

prominently

of

name

of
as
one
Napoleon Bonaparte appears
in
of
investment
the
officers
the
that
engaged
of a dividoomed
sion
city. He was
placed in command
of
artillery; his genius detected the weak
at
point in the city'sdefenses ; his plan of attack was
once
adopted ; and as the result the city and port
were

taken.

Toulon

had

been

delivered

into

the

ates,
English, by the royalists and moderof protection against the extremists
a means
as
; but through the instrumentality of Bonaparte
the
at
least, mainly through
adoption of his
of attack
scheme
the English fleet was
obliged to
of

hands

the

"

"

leave
the

the harbor.

Toulon

Eepublicans, who

was

were

left to the mercies

determined

to

make

"

of
a

Orders
nest of traitors."
example of this
from
Toulon
to efface
sent by the Convention
were
far
the earth, together with its inhabitants
so
; and
carried
into effect.
as
were
possible these orders
Against these bloody reprisals Napoleon had the
to protest,but without
avail ; for he was
courage
19th
ber
Octothen only Major of Battalion, promoted
(December 19th),he
; after the taking of Toulon
of Brigade.
General
was
provisionallynamed
he met
Barras
and
he
At Toulon
Freron, whom
terrible

was

to encounter

later in Paris,

as

influential

mem-

174

JOSEPHINE.

His

principleswere
fairlyset forth in a pamphlet
he had written
July, 1^95, called the
Souper de
such
tion
declaraBeaucaire,^^ which
was
a pronounced
of Eepublican principles that a representative
of the Convention
had ordered it printed at the public
''

expense.

This

called the attention

had

the

rising

and

made

advanced
with

of"cer

young

him
and

as

appear

whose

of
a

man

of the

Convention

to

artillery in the South,

whose
opinions were

principleswere

in
strictly

accord

the

Eepublican doctrine.
It was
who
a
masterly exposition,and one
not disposed to favor
him, declared, ^*In these
judgments is felt the decision of the master
of the

was
cise
con-

and

of war."

man

But, notwithstanding Bonaparte's devotion to the

of alienation
his declaration
Eepublican idea, and
from

into

the

Eobespierrians,he was
orders to be
prison, with

tribunal

at Paris.

is little doubt

Had

he

been

arrested

and

thrown

reported before the

sent to Paris, there

guillotinewould have disposed

of this officer of artillery,
whose
only crime had been
selves
that he had
obeyed the orders of his superiors,themthe victims
of the reaction
ists.
against the terrorbeen
The
terrorist deputies had
superseded
and
others, Albitte
Salicetti,the latter a
by two
It was
and supposed friend of Bonaparte.
Corsican
through their instrumentality, and conjecturally
owing to the enmity of Salicetti,that the young
of twenty-five was
General
arrested, at the outset of
his brilliant career.
To these deputies,Bonaparte adthat

the

175

JOSEPHINE.

dressed

uncertain

no

demand

indignant

an

language

bravery. He was
aught else than his
superior officers ; his
true

''You

have

for

release,couched

in

of

defiance,and with a ring of

not conscious
of having done
duty, to his country, to his
his rock of defense.
integrity was

suspended

from

duties,put me
under
arrest, and declared me to be suspected. Thus
I am
being judged, or, indeed,
disgraced before
judged before being heard.
know
I ask whether
me
Salicetti,
you
; and
you
have
observed
conduct
for the
last
anything in my
me

my

''

five

which

years

do

Albitte, you

proof

of
and

me,

; but

me

how

sometimes

for

ground

me

against

know

you

calumny
''

know

not

fact

no

afford

can

you

have

have

you

suspicion ?
received
not

artfully the

heard

tongue

of

enemies

of

works.
...

I then

Must

confounded

be

with

the

country ? and ought the patriots inconsiderately

has not been
useless to the
to sacrifice a general who

my

Government

to

overwhelms

me,

An

life,let them
how

shrank

and

was

from

representatives to reduce the

necessity of being unjust and
; destroy the oppression that

it.

take

it.
to

of existence
not
an

mere

me

to the

esteem

my

enemies

wish

restore

after,if

yet be useful

the burden
This

me

hour

little I value

I may

the

Hear

impolitic?
patriots.

the

Ought

republic ?

I have

Nothing

often
but

country

my

of the
for my

given proofs of
the thought that
makes

with

courage."
bravado, for Napoleon

encounter

bear

me

with

the

enemy

never

; he

was

176

JOSEPHINE.

in the fore-front

ever

him

secured

This

sharp arraignment

and

reinstatement.

of battle.
his

release

September, 1794, to the end of

ing
March, 1795, he was
actively engaged superintendthe preparation of an
expedition for the recovery
This expedition most
of Corsica from
the English.
its object,
disastrously failed of accomplishing
though through no fault of Bonaparte's, and he was
the south of France
and report at
ordered
to leave
of the Vendee, in
to the army
Paris, for transfer
in Paris in
command
of its artillery. He
arrived
ordered
to join the army
of
May, and in June was
General
Hoche, at Brest ; but disregarded the order,
in August was
to the
attached
Committee
of
and
Public
Safety, in an advisory capacity. About midthe list of employed
taken from
September he was
of orders
to
generals, owing to his disobedience
This
did
not
proceed to the post assigned him.
of Public
dismay him, for the Committee
Safety
had
approved his plan of the Italian campaign, and
From

he

middle

the

known

was

as

of

one

of

the

most

serviceable

erals
gen-

Eepublic.
He
had made
application for and received a large
Nice to Paris,
for mileage, on his journey from
sum
and was
not in such
fore.
beas
desperate circumstances
he had transmitted
A portion of this sum
to
she was
his mother, at Marseilles,where
living with
far
removed
from
her daughters in a condition
in the armies

affluence.
be

His

better

of the

own

shown

the letters he wrote

prospect
than

his

and

his

schemes

not
can-

by quoting freely from

brother

Joseph, then

resid-

177

JOSEPHXNE.

The

at Genoa.

ing

first of

these

ing
epistlesbear-

period of Bonaparte's life,is dated :

I was
Paris, 23d May, 1795.
yesterday
If you wish to make
at the estate of Rogny.
a
good bargain it will be well for you to buy it. Some
8,000,000 assignats will purchase it
say 60,000
this

upon

'^

...

...

francs

from

wife's

your

This

dowry.

is my

desire

Regards to your
wife, to
Desiree, and all the family. ..."
This plan was
not consummated,
owing to a repeal
such propertiescould be obtained.
of the law by which
I promptly attended
June
25th.
to your
and

advice.

my

'^

...

wife's

Desiree

commission.
.

portrait.

I will have

asks

it taken.

You

her if she still desires it ; otherwise

"

July 7th.

I have

since she
'^

in

arrived

July 25th.
the Army

I have

of

should

not

the
you
to

speak

not

heard

from

Lethe

that

Desiree

from

city."
been

appointed a general
West.
My illness keeps me
have
expressed a desire that I
Desiree.

I have

sent

...

and

Freron

to

for yourself."

news

no

Genoa, then, the

I have

I believe

from

Is

at that

here.

letters

keep it

received

my

give it

can

...

you since you left.

divides us ? Because

for

me

Barras, which

will

you

mend
recom-

charge d'affaires of the republic."

The
plan I have proposed will
July 30th.
surely be adopted. If I go to Nice, I will see you
I will place Lucian
before I leave.
also.
and Desiree
will receive
It is probable that you
a
position aa
in Italy. ..."
consul
you

to the

'*

12

178

JOSEPHINE.

Peace
is
"August 1.
My plan for the offensive
never
speak of Eugenie.
also

and

to

Desiree

Eugenie

object of
12th.
"August
the

then

to wish

seems

to return

the

to

same

him.

I
...

...

little

am

attached

surprising myself
of battle, with
eve

if this

longer

no
reason

is

me

my

when

turn

sometimes
this

degradation

man

the

on

that

since

is

easy.
follyto be undeath and destiny ;
to brave
friend, in the end I shall
carriage passes.
My
.

effect

all

at

produced

this ;
on

but

by

me

of this land."

"

August 20th.
the Topographical

conviction

astonished

is the

constantly

am

of

inevitable, it

so

continues,

nevertheless
the moral

settled

condition

in the

All this leads

and

this life.

to

is in the end

death

Fesch
.

It is all

to Corsica.

made

Julie

with

Spain.
is adopted.
You
My compliments to
the silent one
{la Silencieuse).^'
and
Clary, Joseph's sister-in-law,
Napoleon's thoughts.

am

...

Bureau

at
of

present attached

to

the

Committee, for
the direction of the armies, in the place of Carnot.
be
sent
to Turkey by this governIf I like, I can
ment,
General
of
as
Artillery, to organize the
artilleryservice of the Grand
Seigneur, with a suite
It was
and flatteringtitles."
wish of
the dearest
to
be sent to
Napoleon's heart, at that moment,
the
of
reorganization
Turkey for the
artillery
service of the Turks
; he had already sent a memorial
to the

Committee

wishes

seemed

time

to

about

of his dismissal

this
to

from

be

effect ;

and

at

gratified. At
the

service

last his
the

very

recommend-

179

JOSEPHINE.

ation
send

him

fear

that

shall
am
^^

to

by
Turkey

forestalled

events

made

was

of

going."
August 25th.
in Naples.
you
September 5th.
be
impossible

will

the

while

to go

me

on

what

think

it

for
I

leave

to

me

be

to

am

reinstated

will continue
here

(for Turkey)
with

it is not

in

the

the

mittee.
Com-

impossible that

A word
to this
follyof marrying.
It might
part might bring it about.
well
to
speak of it to Eugenie's
know
the result,and all is said that

be

as

; let

me

6th.

all

are

good

know,

of whatever

men,

make

desires.

is

It

Eugenie's
await

be

all

Try

to

so

matter.

me
range
ar-

You

one

that

with

response

26th.

There
.

and

happy

or

way

fulfill your

this

affair

of

the

other.

impatience."
are

yet abandoned

never

necessary

terminated

your

September

has

you

now

Tell

party.

will not

my

only in the pleasure

hopes are seconded by my

If my
give my own.
usual
good- fortune, which
shall

me;

I live

can

for

for you.

absence

friend, that

my

do

me

my

fear

not

have

would

you

Do
.

affairs that

^*

Committee

the

September

friends

shall

with

be."

need

me,

consulship

your

perhaps

'*

for

overwhelmed

The
.

probably

commit

brother

We
Turkey.
supposition that

hope

am

...

If I remain
.

effect

'^
.

to

the

on

I still

lasts.

war

artillery,and

may

But

..."

business.
'^

retinue.
.

...

for

to

his letters show.

always

me

Committee

the

extensive

an

wish

not

Write

see.

with

this, as

do

they

branch

at this moment

180

JOSEPHIKB.

signs of

incendiary symptoms,

some

much

It will all be

head.

in the

heat

ebullition ;

an

in

over

few

critical ; but the genius

days ; the moment
appears
her defenders."
abandon
of Liberty will never
3d. Night of the 13th-14thVendemiaire
"October
(after the Koyalist uprising of the sections).
o'clock
in the
At last,all is
Two
morning.
over.
My first impulse is to write you the news.
each day more
The
Koyalists of the sections became
"

"

...

Lepelletier; it
who
commanded,

Menou,
The

traitor.
.

had
was,

Convention

named

of

forces

their

command.

second

in

The

enemy

advanced

We

killed

killed and

the disarmament

repulsed the
they say, a
Barras

as

Commander-in-Chief
me

ordered

Section

of the

troops.

had

Convention

The

confident.

We

disposed our

to attack

of them.

many

they named

We

the

at

us

ourselves

troops.
Tuileries.

lost

thirty

We
have disarmed
sixty wounded.
sections,and all is tranquil now.
My usual

the
luck

did

regards

My

In

receive

not

these

few

words

; his

October
; second

Barras

the

future

Julie."
the

sections

...

in command

am

most

now

in the

All

cannot
In

9th.
...

now

the

of Division

General
of the

Army

Commander-in-Chief.

November

of

conqueror
the

18th.

exceedingly busy, and

"

Good
.

important action
It was
the turning-point in his
indeed, assured.
was,

of his life hitherto.

"

scratch.

Eugenie and

to

to his brother

announced

career

even

is mine.

fortune
"

some

well.

goes

write
midst

Interior;

of

Am

in detail."
my

many

182

JOSEPHINE.

important period,so
critical in the lives of the Bonapartes.
They had
of poverty and obscurity,
crossed the Rubicon
; instead
thanks
to the
genius and
they were
now,
and
the devotion
of the son
brother, to bask in the
is the last letter of this

This

of

sun

In

prosperity.
letters,it

these
makes

Vicomtesse
in

fact, to

of his

no

mention

de

Beauharnais.

the latter

did

character

of

by

not

mentor.

to their individual

referred

were

to.

at

time

one

that

it

he

that

they

would

show

tender

Madame

engaged
amongst
time

some

brother, for

to him

in the

allusion

was

It

has

been

her

affections, and
their acquaintances

married.

be

to

parte,
Joseph Bonaundoubtedly

enamored.

had

that

to his

Napoleon

understood

was

of

somewhat

that

charged

whom

with

the

little need,

was

stand

and

year

and

doings

with

Only those things pertaining

fare,
affairs,to their family welThere
is, until the end of

1795, a constant
Desiree, the lovely sister
the

acquaintance

means

any

observed, Napoleon

There

all his

announce

be

but

cannot

But

these

a
fault, if there were
fault,
In nearly all there
not Bonaparte's.
is some
was
for the ^'silent one," some
reference
to an
message
either she did not wish to acknowledge,
affair which
or
Joseph and his wife did not like to encourage.
From
other
letters,of hers, in existence, it would
the
that she considered
herself
seem
injured one ;

letters

but
of

it does

not

so

Bonaparte to
for her anything

the

appear

his
more

in these

brother.
than

unstudied

But,
a

if he

transient

effusions
ever

held

regard, it

188

JOSEPHINE.

was

the

effaced

soon

fair

thirteenth

his

Josephine

widow,

acquaintance
the

by

was

first

Vendemiaire.

first
de

formed

real

passion,

Beauharnais,
immediately

that

for

whose

after

184

JOSEPHINE.

XVIL

CHAPTEK

MARRIAGE

The

had

hour

these

in which

come

NAPOLEON.

AND

JOSEPHINE

OF

two

children

born
to
be
united.
on
Though
destiny were
in Corsica, whose
rocks
islands widely separate : one
of the Mediterranean
laved
are
by the waters
; the
in the warm
of
other in Martinique, cradled
waves
the Atlantic
; the fates, propitious or otherwise, had
of France.
brought them together in the mother-land
of

We

have

earlier
had

seen

lives.

trained

what

We
the

the

were

have

seen

for

woman

circumstances
with
a

what

future

care

of

of their

Fortune

high

prise
em-

companionship with the

foremost
She
of his time.
met
man
Napoleon at
the outset
of his great career,
the gates were
when
which
he had
to success,
so
long and so vainly
open
stormed.
At last,his patience, his persistentwaiting,
his implicit faith
in his destiny, were
to be
in
No
rewarded.
longer poor, obscure, a dweller
in garrets, a pleader for
mean
lodgings, a student
the recognition which
he knew
his due ; he was
was
; had

the

fitted

successful

her

for

commander

in favor

with

the

promoted for his bravery and rewarded

his genius in defense
of principle.
He
obstacle : he
had
triumphed over
every

vention,
Confor

had

185

JOSEPHINE.

the Eoyalist foes of the

victories,not only over
his lowlier
self.
From
this
Convention, but over
there a physical
time he was
changed, not only was
from
the
change, a transformation,
untamed,
brusque and skepticalartilleryofficer of unknown
a change in his moral
nature,
origin ; but there was
He
of his impecuniabandoned
well.
the habits
as
ous
youth ; he slid easilyinto the position he had
won

his

with

won

looked

beyond,

ever

present afforded.
the

temporary

schemed

and

triumph
to the

throne

; he

sword

for

something
others

While
rewards

of

planned

; his

over

than

more

every

eye

than

more

or

fixed

skill,he
upon

obstacle, in his pathway

promotion had rewarded

of the governing power,

out

the disarmament

the

sections,and
plans by night and
Different

mate
ulti-

an

him

for

and
daring defense
of the Army
now
virtuallycommander-in-chief
As such
Interior.
he had
supervision of all

carried

still

of France.

Immediate

he

the
with

content

were

chance

it ; he

filled

stories

was

and

occupied with
by day.
related

he

of the first

was

of the
Paris

surveillance

his

his

of

gigantic

meeting of
the Vicomtess
de Beauharnais
and
parte.
Napoleon Bonahas been
which
of tenest told, although
That
in recent
times
times
that several
ceived
redenied, is one
the endorsement
of Napoleon
himself, when
the rock of St. Helena.
Soon after the
a prisoner on
of the thirteenth
had transpired,
events
Yendemiaire
and while Napoleon was
work
engaged in the arduous
of reducing the chaos of revolution
of
to a condition
are

186

JOSEPHINE.

he

peace,
fourteen

at

had

thanks

to the

the

by
that

orders

the

even

boy about

the

return

been

This

youth was
Viceroy of Italy

he

then

was

should

and
at

restored

be

the
once

to his

burst

it

ing.
entreat-

demand,

Eugene
general was

stern

republic

youth. Napoleon

receiving

possession. Upon
; and

the

of

of his

sword

the

the

man

nature

of

charm

ingenuous

tears

since

of the

favor

Touched

gave

scaffold.

Beauharnais,

de

Eugene

service

the

the

perished on

beautiful

supplicated the
This
parent had

in

time

one

by

who

age,

sword.

father's

general
and

of

years

his

of

approached

was

into

fected.
visibly afthe youth,
reclaimed,

of
days later the mother
of the general whose
the widow
sword
was
Struck
with
to thank
came
Bonaparte in person.
returned
her visit ;
her appearance,
Bonaparte soon
a
ripened
pleasant acquaintance followed, which
A

few

into

intimacy
delayed.*
It

was

too

their marriage

not

was

long

fortunate

of her

juncture
not

; and

meeting for Josephine, at this

affairs ; which, as we
have
seen, were

prosperous.

of Division,
Having arrived at the grade of General
Napoleon found himself at last in a position to
*

Dr.

In

the

"

O'Meara,

The

praised

pay

visit

more

; and

by
our

St. Helena,"
different

recalling, in

and
of

of

find three

seeing

on

and

still

we

Emperor,
him

met

Memorials

the

her

esprit.

marriage

of

tears

caressed
thanks.

his

him.
I

said

days

impressed

This
not

first

by

"I

was

in

of

charm

following.'*

of

came
over-

moved,

much

his mother

impression deepened

slow

that

tenderness

after
her

Recollections

this event.

to

captivity,the

Eugene,

"

in the

allusions

Several

was

was

and

came

form

each

day

to

and
we

187

JOSEPHINE.

marry,
he

did

and
not

it

seems

espouse

not
Mile.

to

have

been

his fault that

Eugenie-Desiree Clary,

his

There
is little doubt
Joseph's sister-in-law.
of an
affection previously existing between
them,
in
shown
as
by the letters of both ; as evidenced
have
we
letters,which
Bonaparte's own
quoted, to
his brother
Joseph. But Eugenie's father, a rich
of Marseilles, was
merchant
opposed to the marriage
of his daughter with a poor unknown
officer of the
artillery. Perhaps he thought one poor Corsican in
the family was
sufficient, for Joseph was
by no
either
of business
means
a great success,
as
a man
So he and
or
later, as the occupant of a throne.
his family set themselves
against it,with the result
that
the young
to
people were
obliged to submit
their mandate.
That
ished
Eugenie for a long time cherthe
is attested
image of Napoleon in her heart
by her own
writings ; that Bonaparte also
felt an injusticehad been done
this sweet
and attractive
girl,is incidentally shown
by his subsequent
she
favors to the one
: Bernadotte,
finallymarried
incurred
often
who
was
Napoleon's censure
; but
steadilypromoted ; until finallyraised to the throne
affair with
This
of Sweden.
Eugenie Clary, which
been
crowned
might easily have
by marriage, was
probably the only instance in which the affections of
the great general were
seriouslyengaged, previous
to his meeting with Josephine.
in early manhood,
As a youth and
he may
have
rious
indulged in trivial flirtations ; in truth, for so sea nature, he was
quite susceptibleto the charms
brother

188

JOSEPHINE.

of the
he

other

was

kept

him

Science

from

But,
comparatively
sex.

; his

poverty

French
; his

virtuous

was

standpoint,
love of study

mistress, the Goddess

to his chosen

true

barrier

him

between

of
and

temptation.
He
mingled freelyin the societyof the Directorial
of service
who
to
were
salons, meeting there many
the men
him
in many
and
; gleaning from
ways
information.
He
of all parties useful
went
women
social side to
for recreation, also, for there
was
a
his busy life in camp
the young
and
General, which
had
time
barrack
to
not
permitted him
develop.
he thawed
Under
the glances of the fair Parisiennes
of them
out sufficientlyto be polite,though none
could
reserve.
penetrate his habitual
Perhaps the
de
Vicomtesse
was
Beauharnais, who
always so
him
to her side
approachable and so gracious, won
the
Madame
beautiful
unconsciously. She, with
said to have
ruled
in the social world,
Tallien, are
at that time.
Strange stories have been related of
these
two, since, conspicuous in the small world of
also prominent
society, they were
targets for the
malice

strange

and
and

envy
cruel

of

their

fate

that

associates.
condemned

Josephine, allied by birth and marriage

noblesse,not only to associate with the
of

her

husband

and

It

was

such

with

as

the

murderers

friends,but to adorn their

triumphs. In doing so, she merely accepted the
inevitable ; the old regime was
dead
was
; the new
inchoate
yet seething and bubbling in
; society was
its witch's
caldron.
There
curious
were
juxtapoher

190

JOSEPHINE.

the
in

of

some

the

the

and

fail to

we

of Paris.

scandal

annals

1796, and

her

find

But

to the

of

oft-repeated statement
heart, her sensibilities,and
the convenances,
took part in

followed

so

There

with

meeting
with

family
the

or

the

that

her,

was

to

of

the

have

the

year

the

tives
mo-

of

woman

all,her

love

festivities that

death

of

her

band.
hus-

time

this number

sensitive

in

friends

whose

for
at

wishes
With

the

action
trans-

Hamburg,

restricted
the

their

nature.

necessary

affairs,as

quietly passed

her husband's

and

disregarded

own

business

composed of the few

left to her, and
those
formed
in prison.
Of

above

children

of her

of her

exception
her

raneous
contempoof

fact,

no

eyes

dictates

of
life

the

upon

of

that Josephine
probability whatever
in society before
all prominent
her
have
been
Napoleon ; it would
sible,
imposis

at

was

cruel

the

after

soon

sion
diver-

malevolent

to

the

her

in

opening

ascribe

but

cannot

the

matter

as

followed

were

mentioned

name

previous

we

and

Eevolution

of the

overthrow

which

reunions

and

fetes

figured prominently

had

of Beauharnais

widow

social

Revolution

acquaintance

her aunts, Madame

her
circle

had
she

had

d'Aiguillon, Madame
Eecamier, Madame
Chateau-Eenard,
and Madame
Tallien.
To
her
the latter,as
savior
from
the
of
horrors
felt
prison, Josephine ever
had
been
who
deeply attached, and, unlike
many
recipients of her favor, always displayed towards
her sentiments
of the liveliest friendship and
tude.
gratiFor
Josephine had, as she has herself said,
were

191

JOSEPHINE.

horror

ingratitude

of

ist leaders

of

leaders

the

of

friend

her

though

even

was

would

dissimulate,
proscribed by the Eoyal-

society, and the

revolutionary
Tallien

Madame

however,

; she

not

wife

of

reaction.

interested

of

one

As
her

the

such,

husband

tion
through him the restituof some
of her property."^
of Madame
At the house
Tallien, doubtless, the
met
Vicomtesse
the representative Barras, whom
had
the Ninth
Thermidor
also placed in the forefront
and
his coadjutors. Eespecting
with Tallien
the relations
time
presumed to have existed at one
Barras
and the subject of this history,there
between

friend, and

in her

has

would

historian
been

the

adduced

been

not

has

word

of

Aside

indebted

not

property,

"

service

royalistes, par
'

de
a

et

affaires

pour

Elle

bien

"Thibaudeau,

de

des

1792, pendent

Paris.

Mme.
et

larmes,
Memoires

et

faisant

toutes

avoir

sans

et

n'en

sur

the

Cela

com-

rendait

n'empecha

allusion

aux

de

etait

les fetes

couta, que

du

je sache,

de

la

et courtisee

et I'ame
trone

les

secretaire

mari

son

pas

massacres

etait recherchee

les embarras

la Convention

elle

car

her
been

Italian

lesquels Tallien

1'influence

de

of

ingratitude atroce,

une

Tallien

pour

I'ornement

regnait

partis.

man.

(as has

Thermidor,'

Septembre,'

elle-meme

; elle etait

plaisirs.
secha

de

les

tous

upon

was

restitution

to

de

injure gratuite

Septembre,

la Commune
la fois

une

Notre-Dame

nommer

des

de

malheureux

aux

Dame

has

Beauharnais

appointment
husband

future

I'appelait' Notre

On

the

for

What

proof, and
disappointed

de

Mme.

the

for

nor

alleged) of her

that

reputable

of

and

envious

an

that

pages.

devoid

Barras

to

his

to

been

fact

the

from

evidence

any

admit

asserted
mere

secured

dans
de

son

tous

les
les

empire

personne.""

et la Directoire."

192

JOSEPHINE.

mand

certainly had too great regard for her

which
she
children, and for the family with
was
a
allied,to seriously compromise herself with
man
who
like Barras.
Neither
the
one
was
aspired at
blind the love
that time
how
to her hand, no
matter
he felt had
rendered
him, likely to regard without
indicate
undue
macy
intisuspicion any act that would
his superior.
he loved
and
between
the one
Whatever
have
been
charged to Napoleon, it
may
has not been
he lacked
shown
that
in sensibility,
He
motive.
nor
had,
appreciation of honorable
in himself, that
conviction
besides,that confidence
of his own
the acceptforbade
high destiny, which
ance
of a favor, or of assistance
with
the suspicion
; she

of indebtedness.

It
house

she

had

famous

fortune
from

She

addition

Hamburg

of

in

the

of her

hospitality.

many

of the

came

of her

friends

of
to

pass

in

had

she

to

of

the

Paris,

and

nearly

brought

better
back

regular
to the

thanks

the

of
a

assume

mittances
re-

favor

restituted

certain

state

the

dispensing
reunions
gathered together
former
times, who had been
and

household
Her

at

more

enjoyment

the Eevolution

himself

arrived

now

received

able

was

conduct

company

had

Josephine left the

Eue
de I'Universite,
had bought of Talma,

mother, and,

in the

found

the
she

now

her

Tallien,was
properties. She

dispersedby

in

to what

she

from

that

which

actor.

; in

time

occupied

in another

to reside
the

this

about

was

; here

midst
it
all

of
was

his

the
the

young
most

General

agreeable

long before he
the
evenings under
not

193

JOSEPHINE.

of

hospitable roof

little

her

house

in

the* Rue

Chantereine.
He

welcome,

was

feared

and

hostess

love

nature

himself.

made

rapid

It is not
ambition

solelyby
assailed

true

the heart

of

some

the

so

With

exclusion

violent
His

man.

him.

by

him,

; he
progress
that his heart

to the

by the most

to

not

for

smile

shunned

was

it mattered

; but

had

yet he

his

kind

ardent
declared

soon

possessed

was

of love

passion that

; he

vexed

ever

letters attest to the

was

depth and

ing,
sincerityof the passion that had seized him, absorbprofound, idealizingthe object of its desires.
In sooth, from
that Bonaparte
the first moment
had

beheld

fascinated

Vicomtesse

the

is

that

"

charm

of manner,

which

attracted

de

the

Beauharnais

word

"

that

mingled

to her

all with

he

that

by

sovereign

and

grace

whom

was

dignity,

she

in

came

contact.

^'

de

Says Madame
Bonaparte was
Beauharnais,
of

rest

of

the

name

She

Eemusat,

in

her

when

he

first met

young

who

circle

the

manners.

de

rank

idea

of

greatly superior to
in which
she moved, both by
she bore, and
the elegance of

attached

herself

fortune
which
power

that
she

with

influence
befell

him

him

to

pride ; she procured him

accustomed
(?); he became
her

and

the
son
rea-

her

tered
flat-

step forward

to associate

the

piece of good
and
this superstition,
cleverly, exerted
great
every

kept up very
When
over
him, for a long time.
the Widow
Beauharnais, Bonaparte
.

13

Mme.

was

his
in

Memoires:

he

ried
mar-

believed

194

JOSEPHINE.

allying himself
marriage, therefore,
he

that

his

Yet

more.

if he

some

by

it

emotion,

any

admission

of

who

woman

favors

regarded

have

little doubt

of

the
and
was

that

of which

he

allied

with

France,

inferiors

her

social
have

may

of

two

station.

rather

one

of

is
to

importance
though

honorable

most
of

envy

drawn

was

exaggerated

the

dinate
subor-

There

position, the

widow

the

was

in

General

at first the

by

parte,
Bona-

both

from

her

as

Vicomtesse

was

the

was

Josephine and
who
one
played an important though
part in their imperial court, and whose
of those she would
excited by the success

was

she

conquest
affection for her,

really stirred

is the

recipientof

the

great lady

very

for her."

and

This

had

he

a
one

was

ever

was

her

by

to

was

the

ilies
fammost

had
also
republic, who
held
the
office of president of the Assembly
at a
critical period of its fortunes, and
had
who
most
welcome
of the
old
been
a
guest in the salons
would
undoubtedly what
regime. Josephine was

respected generals

of

the

held.
from
hand
knew

have

On

been

the

considered

hon

parti, for the

rior,
recently-elevated general of the Army of the Intewho, having risen to his present position by
it for his
his unaided
sword, and dependent upon
without
future
greatness, might perish in the war
that
he then
than
attaining to any higher rank
then

other

what

that
in

of the Vicomtesse

cared

it could

hand,

interest, merely,

nor

was

not

have

been

Bonaparte sought the

marriage, for he neither

her

fortune.

195

JOSEPHINE.

widow

to hold

of

the

with

life,when,

commended

the

outset

repugnant

to

promise no
forgotten ; he ever
always manifested
the

can

held
for

her

aunt,
proposal : her
Beauharnais, and even
If

in-law.

they
between
his

pect
pros-

affections

children, was
Bonaparte promised
his

as

him

of

own

having

his own,

as

tenderest

regard,

regard
the

on

accept the General's

de
Renaudin, Fanny

to

the

old

her

Marquis, her

acceptance

ardently expressed, on

for

Alexander's

the

ing,
want-

contest

memory

side ; and

one

father-

were

This

long forthcoming.

not

were

children,

the

had

his

interests

Mme.

for

reasons

her

in her

accuse

them

family counseled

Her

The

children

their

anguish

solicitude.

earnest

most

one

seemed

last moments

care.

her.

protect her

this

future

breath, he

her

to

many

; of the

place

father

and

love

to

his

second

the

latest

to

assuming

becoming

and

husband's

of those

his

children

their

of another

at

her

solicitude

affectionate

his

and

of

qualities; of the promise

respecting their closer union

amiable

and

only eighteen months, Josephine had

recollection

all

lost

not

of

sincere

other, tore

her

heart

and

love,
with

doubts.
A
this

attributed

letter

period

of

this

at

evidence

of

different

from

was

wont

her

throw

to
motives

Josephine, and assigned to

history has been
suming
published, asher
light upon
feelings and

time.

being

the

to express

to

But

this

letter

fabrication,it
chaste

is

so

style in which
herself,treats with

bears

every

altogether

Josephine
such
levity

196

JOSEPHINE.

the memory
of

of

her

who

one

and

husband

would

the

serious

her with

honor

tions
atten-

his hand
.

^'

dear

My

friends

my

friend, I
the

counsel

urged

am

measure,

to
my

again

marry
aunt

almost

dren
effect,and my chillays her injunctions to the same
not here
entreat
are
compliance. Why
you
my
at this important juncture :
advice
to give me
your
to persuade me
that I ought to consent
to a union
end
to the irksomeness
of my
which
must
put an
You
have
met
General
parte
Bonapresent position?
house.
at my
Well, it is he who would
ply
supde
a father's
place to the orphans of Alexandre
to his widow
Beauharnais, and a husband's
.

'

Do

you

You

love

him

dislike

then

'

you

him

'

will

ask.

Not

Not

quite

so

exactly.
bad

but

I find

is
myself in that state of indifference which
to devotees
in
anything but agreeable, and which
than
trouble
all their other pecreligiongives more
cadilloes
Love, being a kind of worship, requires
all this ; and
that
feel very
one
differentlyfrom
hence
I have
for your
the need
advice, which might
fix the
^^

irresolution

Being

now

of my

feeble

past the heyday

character.
.

of

youth,

hope
which, in
If, after

can

that ardor
of attachment
long to preserve
delirium
?
the General, resembles
a fit of
will he not
to love me,
cease
our
union, he should
sacrificed
he will have
for
what
with
reproach me
he not regret a more
brilliant marsake ? Will
riage
my
?
shall
What
he might have contracted
which
shall I do ? I shall weep.
I then reply ? What
.

198

JOSEPHINE.

the

Under
strike

already received from

guise of friendship, the

ine.
Joseph-

for favors

the reward

hand

at the

forth

stretched

once

women

to their

sistance
as-

ostensibly writing these truthful

of their
memoirs
of Josephine, they poison the minds
with
readers
their base suggestions of intrigue.
memoirs
In the Le-Normand
Josephine is made
while

to say

'^I

:
.

destiny
husband,

had

of my

image

reflected

again

to

midst

of

had

heart

my

Since

change.

to

was

families

many

when

time

the

to

come

now

my

which

events

dwelt

the

of

those

upon

France

decimated

death

and

dreadful

plunged

mourning and oblivion.

happiness revealing itself

that

de

M.

himself

unite

misfortunes,

my

seemed,

to me,

betoken

to

had

Beauharnais

so

The

into
lost

my

to

me

as

intended
in the

even

happier

future.
''

Happy

free,I felt
marriage.

be

to

another

day

on

visit

at Mme.

to

repugnance
.

But, being

Chateau-Kenard's

tracting
conone

ting
sit-

was

window

looking at some
violets,when
announced.
suddenly the famous
Bonaparte was
unable
made
to tell,but that
name
me
Why, I was
seized me
tremble
on
seeing him
; a violent shudder
approach. I dared, however, to catch the attention
who
had
of the man
achieved
a
so
victory over
easy
at

the

The

Parisians.
.

at

The

him

in silence.

next

propose

day

to you,

For

rest of the

the

was

Barras

said to

madame,

long time

first to
'

me

something
you

have

looked

company

speak
I

am

to your

him.

to
about

to

tage.
advan-

thought only

of the

199

JOSEPHINE.

; it is

of others

welfare

about

high time
affairs.

own

your

should

you
I

be

make

to

want

cupied
oc-

I have
Bonaparte, whom
just
I have
got appointed general-in-chief,and to whom
given the business of conquering Italy.'
I was
surprisedat the proposal ; it by no means
of
Do
met
really think
approbation.
my
you
conceiva
Director
that ?
said
I to the
project is in; your

you

little

the

marry

"

'

'

'

We
.

lien's ; the
he

more

more

seemed
I

But

way.

the hero

myself

who
sent

Bonaparte

so

had

but

crossing the
he

Tal-

at

nations.
...

of the

Directory,

Army of Italy.
his preparations for
a few
days to make
Alps ; and two days before his departure

received
left

many

the letter
the

offeringhimthecommandof
He

times

the
sought to avoid his presence,
in
to
multiply himself
my
consented, at length, to marry

to conquer

was

to

several

met

the

title of my

husband.

aparte
Bon.

title,and a delightful
I saw
abode
at his residence, where
constantly the
I was
best of company,
where
visited
by deputies
and
generals."
an

memoires

These
the

me

of

death

honorable

published four years

Josephine and while Napoleon
were

after
was

in power
were
prisoner at St. Helena
; his enemies
intended
as
a
again ; this book was
propitiatory
offering to royalty,by an unprincipled and unscrupulous
Mile. Le-Normand,
who
was
a
woman.
fessional
pro-

fortune-teller
We

turn

with

of Paris.

relief to the

authentic

narrative

of

200

JOSEPHINE.

the basis of
has been
taken
as
Josephine's life which
after her
this history,published some
forty years
made
who
a careful
amination
exdeath, and written
by one
of all available
and
material, in France
in the island

of her

birth.*

of her
Josephine was
impressed by the ardor
she
affection ; but
lover's suit, by his ingenuous
her ability,being no longer in her premiere
doubted
ing,
jeunesse,to hold in thrall the genius of one so aspirand

the

at

herself.

Her

first

that should
and

to

so

much

had
engage

it

exposed her

its manifold

than

younger

been

fetter the freedom

which, though
yet had

marriage

feared

unhappy, she

so

time

same

in

at the
another

she then
to

attractions.

outset
tract
con-

enjoyed,

malicious

But

tacks,
at-

in the

she

in spite of herself by the

submitted, drawn
and
magnetic, dominant
personality of the young
ardent
Once having yielded her consent,
Napoleon.
she could not but recall,and impart to her afl"anced,
the prediction of the Martinique prophetess, which
seemed
her
deed
into confirm
impression that she was
fortunes
of destiny.
to link her
with
the man
friends
Not
believed
that
her
all her
prospective

end,

union
in

to be

was

betterment

fact,averring that

General

the

of her

fortunes

advantage

; many,

lay with

the

of the Convention.

de
accepted the Greneral's offer,Madame
Beauharnais
Campan,
charged her friend, Mme.
with the disagreeable duty of breaking the news
to

Having

"

Histoire

Paris, 1857.

de V

Impdra

trice

Jos^phinCj"

par

Joseph Aubenas

Eugenie

Desiree

Clary

201

JOSEPHINE.

her

children

with

the

their

the

famous

she

had

union

in

magistrate,
of

mayoralty

in

which

Mme.

Their

and

the

on

imperishable
of

"

leave

his

home

to

which

he

of

March

was

which

glory

before

1796,

March,

Twelve

of

in

Paris,

had

at

his

parte
Bona-

new-found

attained,

last
to

way

him

little

the

later,
his

bride,

awaited

in

resided.

days

on

of

manner

passed

was

to

21st

the

then

honeymoon

the

happiness,

1795.*

appearance
of

Beauharnais

compelled

was

which

arrondissement

Chantereine.

Eue

house,

9th

second

the

de

brief

the

on

an

at

was

Campan,

after

by

times,

well
name.

Hortense

and

consummated,

was

and

September,

or

them
full

memory

Madame

by

August

revolutionary

civil

the

kept

entered

acquainting
knowing

college,

at

school

from

father's

their

then

was

those

shrank

marriage,

for

reverence

The

she

approaching

Eugene

for

the

on

the

win

fields
battle-

Italy.

Correspondance

de

Campan

Mme.

laBeine

avec

Hortense''^
.

"Six
de

prendre

eleve
cette

changer

(1'entree

apres

Beauharnais

Corse,

m^re

mois

vint
de

me

I'ecole

nouvelle

de

faire

nom,"

d' Hortense

partde

militaire
a

sa

etc

mariage

son

et

fille, qui

general.

Saint-Germain),
avec

Je

un

fus

s'affligea longtemps

Mme.

gentilhomme
chargee
de

d'apvoir

sa

202

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTEE

THE

XVIII.

ITALIAN

CAMPAIGN.

objectof Bonaparte's
ambition
one
gratified,but
In
the
heights of fame.
One

is

indicated

as

desires
had

he

had

been

attained,

yet scaled the

marriage-act Napoleon

General-in-Chief

not

of

the

of

Army

to
Interior, although he had been nominated
of the Army
of Italy two
the command
weeks
fore,
bethe 22d
of February.
His
commission
or
on
been
have
not
not
have
signed, or he may
may
chosen
the title in advance
of taking the
to assume

the

command.
to
the

His

modesty,
reason,

his

such

friends
enemies
is the

would
to

fact.

ascribe

policy ;
As

such

but

an

act

whatever

witnesses

to

the

marriage there were, on the part of Napoleon, the

of the Directory
representative Barras, as member
and chief of the Vendemiaire, and Lemarrois, Bonaparte's
officers served
him
aide-de-camp. Several
in this capacity, at that time ; but he had given the
preference to Lemarrois, because, it is thought, he
had been indirectlyinstrumental
in promoting
this
the young
marriage, by introducing to the General
Eugene, on the occasion of his request for his father's
de Beauharnais
Mme.
sword.
had, as witnesses,
and whose
wife she was
so
Tallien, to whom
deeply

204

JOSEPHINE.

mitting of the
witness, when
Either

aide-de-camp, Lemarrois,
he

had

not

arrived

at

to

sign as
legal age.
declared,

the

it has been
irregularities,
would
have
the contract, and have made
invalidated
easier
for
the
Napoleon
accomplishment of his
of
subsequent plans for divorce, had he been aware
the
facts.
But, fortunately, nothing untoward
occurred
their brief day of happiness, before
to mar
the departure of the groom
for his distant fields of
glory.
Before
dismissing the events of this most
tant
importhese pages,
let us
to that
recur
period from
appointment of commander-in-chief, which, it has
been
alleged, Bonaparte received through the favor
in which
This
Josephine had been held by Barras.
has been
to the
effectuallydisproven by reference
of the one
records of the time, and the denial
man
of these

then

was

of

at the

head

of

military affairs in the

to that
Directory. It was
great military genius of
the Directory, the upright, unimpeachable
Carnot,
this recnot
to Barras, that
and
ognition
Bonaparte owed
who

his

merit.

by Carnot, during
in his

This

his exile in

memoirs

statement

'^

:
.

and

Switzerland,

*
.

made

was

It is not

true

is

affirmed
re-

that

proposed Bonaparte for the Italian campaign ;

it was
failed, upon
I, myself. If he had
my
have
been
foisted the responsibility;
shoulders
would
..."
claims
the credit.
but he succeeded, and Barras
There
in the appointment
: the
was
nothing unusual
Barras

^^Memoires

Historiques

et Militaires

sur

Carnot

"

Paris, 1824.

205

JOSEPHINE.

young

General

in constant

was

communication

with

Directory, after the 13th Vendemiaire

; for six
months
he was
laboring indef atigably to reorganize
the Army
of the Interior ; his plans for the Italian
and
been
examined
had
adopted ; who
campaign
in
more
likely than he, their author, to succeed
else than
out ? In truth, who
he,
carrying them
their
what
bring about
genius less than his, could
accomplishment ?
In short, a concensus
of contemporary
opinion gives
the discoverer
a verdict
as
opposed to the claims of Barras
of this great military adept and
the promoter
He
of his fortunes.
was
naturally jealous
should
have
that one
nominally second in command
far above
him
risen so
and
malice
: envy
supplied
the
unconscious
the weapons.
Josephine became
instrument
for attacking and
this giant
wounding
whom
he could
overthrow.
not
Bourrienne, who
later became
the private secretary of Napoleon, and
the

"

has

written

his

says

of

memoirs,
the

which

marriage

breakfast, Bonaparte

called

my

are

in

the

^^

One

:
.

attention

to

main

liable,
re-

day,
a

at

young

asked
sat opposite to him, and
I
what
lady who
The
in which
I answered
his
thought of her.
way
much
to give him
question seemed
pleasure. He
then talked
about
to me
a great deal
her, her family,
and
her
amiable
that
he
qualities; he told me
should
convinced
her, as he was
probably marry

that

the

gathered
with

the

union
from
young

would
his

make

conversation

widow

would

him

I also
happy.
that
his marriage
probably assist him

206

JOSEPHINE.

His constantly
gaining the objects of his ambition.
her
had
with
increasing influence
already
brought him into contact with the most influential
remained
in Paris
He
of that
epoch.
persons
took
place
only ten days after his marriage, which
in which
It was
the 9th of March, 1796.
a union
on
sional
occaprevailed, notwithstanding
great harmony
to
Bonaparte never,
slight disagreements.
in

to his wife."*
knowledge, caused
annoyance
'^Madame
Bonaparte
possessed personal graces
and many
convinced
that all
good qualities. I am
who
have felt bound
were
acquainted with her must
to speak well
of her ; to few, indeed, did she ever
for complaint.
In the time
of her great
give cause
she did not lose any
of her
friends, because
power
she forgot none
of them.
Benevolence
natural
was
to her, but she was
not
always prudent in its exercise.
Hence
her
often extended
to
protection was
my

persons

who

did

splendor

and

deserve

not

expense

was

excessive,and

for

a
luxury became
constantly indulged without

ness

scenes

have

I not

witnessed

habit
any
when

many

de

"

Memoirs

Bourrienne,

of

Napoleon

his Private

What
for

She
.

their
her

to

which

always
claims,
new

proaches.
re-

might

successor

Bonaparte," by
Secretary.

seemed

moment

for

this prone-

motive.

tears did she shed

easily have been spared."

Bourrienne's
Meneval,

taste

which

the

bills arrived.
paying the tradesmen's
from
kept back
Napoleon one-half
and the
discovery of this exposed

How

Her

it.

Louis

as

Antome

private
Fauvelet

207

JOSEPHINE.

this testimony to
secretary to Bonaparte, confirms
the
She
gentleness and grace of Josephine :
the supple and
had
the soft abandonment,
elegant
the
and
of the
graceful carelessness
movements,
Creoles.
Her
She
temper was
always the same.
was
gentle and kind, affable and
indulgent with
difference
with
no
knowing
one,
persons.
every
neither
much
ing
learnShe had
a
superior mind, nor
ance
; but her exquisite politeness,her full acquaintwith
society,with the Court, and with their
innocent
her always
know
at need
artifices,made
the best thing to say or to do." *
who
have
left on record
The women
their impressions,
either in contemporary
letters or
in memoirs
"

*
*'

Said

the

Avait-elle

Says

observant

de

was

teeth

she

remedied

complexion

; her

and

never

belle

grdce, plus

been

encore

que

the

taste, enhancing
her

other

even

and

And

Miot

her."
was

not

united
more

her
shown

too
so

good

de

added

be effaced from

Melito,

more

and

the

my

partisan

to

so

remembrance

last moment

heart."

of

of

her

"
.

of

the

short

ible
flex-

'
"

with

Et

la

perfect
To

...

all

remarkably

had

been

done

No

who
has

woman

grace,

She

pression
ex-

her

Bonaparte's,

Joseph

did.

too

that

natural

of
she

her

to

heart,

of

sessed
pos-

limbs

wore.

wrong

Josephine
much

she

she

La-Fontaine's

dressed

She
.

forget

to

than

kindness

extreme

pleasure than
the

elegant.

bien.'^

artificial aids

; her

and

whatever

towards

kindness

with

to

of

with

perfect

disposed

friendship,
me,

beaute

great readiness

well

much

la

concealed

was

fitly applied

more

elegance

qualities she

temper,

easy

and

but

dark,

figure

movements

have

her

delicate,her

were

small,

very

rather

Her

about

superieurevient

features

was

was

defect.

that

delicate, her

lines could

being precisely pretty,

her

mouth

; her

asked

passait

"Without

Remusat:

sweet

s'en

Elle

pei-sonal charms

many

bad

''

V esprit f

de

Madame

Talleyrand, when

or

honored

benevolence

existence,

has
me

she
will

done
with
has
never

208

JOSEPHINE.

their

published after
of their

one

But

men.

own

sex

even

been

demise, have
"

those

natural

is most

as

who

less
"

than

devoured

were

just to
the
with

her

were
obliged to
high position, who
stations in her court,
accept unwillingly subordinate
have
testified to her unfailing goodness, sweetness
and
her bounty.
of disposition,
of any
We
not
aware
are
existing portrait of
bust
or
drawing, of the period
Josephine, of any
preceding her second
marriage, but this portraitthe hands
of her contemporaries, sufmosaic
from
ficiently

at

envy

limns

her

features

and

her

characteristics.

deep blue, her hair brown, not over

luxuriant, her complexion dark, her mouth
small,
the lips parted in a smile
of exceeding sweetness,
arched
the nose
with
and
clined
sensitive nostrils,and inShe was
to retrousse.
not a beauty, although
than fulfilled the promise of her youth,
she had more
her
have
her
at Martinique, and
seen
on
as
we
Her

were

eyes

arrival
to

mere

with

nor

France.

in

She

could

not

with Mme.
personal attractions
Napoleon's sister,Pauline, later

belle ; but
ideal

of

an

Josephine completely
attractive, fascinating

air of distinction

about

spect
re-

Tallien,
a
ing
reign-

realized

one's

woman,

with

impressed all
who
met
her, particularly Bonaparte, on his first
from
birth
had
wards
toa penchant
acquaintance, who
the aristocracy.
Such
was
Josephine at the period when, the bride
of Napoleon, she was
left alone
in Paris to await
And
the seat of war.
the tidings from
they came,
an

her

in

compare

that

209

JOSEPHINE.

hot

and

other

fast,one
the

on

filled with
of

road

letter

; letters

love, with

every

sometimes

other

full

thoughts
woman,

of

overtaking the
fire and
passion,
sion
her, to the exclu-

of
of

almost

every

other

Leaving Paris on the twenty-firstof March,

twenty days passed by before the Directory received
of their
of
news
newly- appointed commander
any
of Italy.
the armies
But
to his wife came
missives
by every post. He
was
going forth to fight, only that he might win
her approval ; to make
only that he might
peace,
with
him.
have
her
the sooner
Every mile of the
filled with
road
his
to Italy that he traversed
was
hateful
to him, because
laments
; the country was
theme.

it stretched,
^'

his love.

continuallybroadening,
(he wrote
By what art

between

"

from

^^

him
the

and
scene

have you learned

to captivate
triumphs)
in yourself my
whole
all my
faculties,to concentrate
is the
That
being ? To live for Josephine.
Fool !
dying to join you.
story of my life. I am
I don't see that I am
only going farther away.
countries
lands and
How
separate us ! How
many
will read
these
so
words, which
long before
you
of the heart
which
over
feebly express the emotions
To deny Bonaparte's passionate love
reign !
you
them
met
mately,
intiwho
for Josephine in 1796," says one
Even
would
be to deny the evidence."
Sir
admirer
of Napoleon,
Walter
an
Scott, by no means
the genuineness of this passion :
grudgingly admits
^^A
part of his correspondence with his bride
has been preserved,and gives a curious picture of a

of his first

...

"

"

''

210

JOSEPHINE.

temperament
of the
his

in

as

shepherd."
seen

and

of

time

at the

written

The

war.

guage
lan-

disposing states

was

defeating the
of his time, is that
de
And
again, Mme.
letters from
Napoleon

pleasure,

I have

who

conqueror

commanders

'^

love

fieryin

as

celebrated

most
of

Arcadian

an

Eemusat

:
.

Mme.

to

parte,
Bona-

first Italian

the

at

paign,
cam-

The
ing
writsingular.
is almost
illegible; they are ill-spelt
; the style
is strange and confused
But, there is in them such
of passionate feeling ; the expression is so
tone
a
time
so
animated, and at the same
poetical; they

which

breathe

love

is

there

very

from

different

so

who

woman

no

letters.

the

are

They

graceful, elegant and

have

not

that

amours,

striking

mere

would

form

measured

prized such
with

contrast

style

of

those

of his wife."

^'At
much

this
more

him.
touched

He

time,"

says

another,

in love

with

his wife

adored

her

she

^Bonaparte

than

was

she

but

was

with

was

moderately

by his fierytransports."

are
This, we
the beginning

constrained
of their

to

marital

believe,was

true

at

relations.

Napoleon
her perforce, as
it were
had
won
; had compelled
her
to accept his love, his devotion, his homage,
She was
she
bewildered
even.
by a passion which
did not then understand, which
in
swept her away
an
impetuous flood,which
brought to her feet the
of a
offerings of a heart unsullied, the treasures
world
new-conquered.
These

love-letters

of the

great General

have

been

212

JOSEPHINE.

I will send

children.

joined by
dispersed.
am

to

cool

grows

faithful

fond

lover.

have

Think

him,

am

oners
pris-

; when

as

alone

shall

of your

cruel, very

remain

ever

the

have

sentiment

heart

always continue

break

can

When

your

very

will

you

enemy.

often.

me

as

somewhat

now

of the

will be

you

sure

and

of

Achilles

your

Death

health.

your

union

which

formed.

Let

thousand

and

...

kisses."

though

frenzied

soon

five thousand

made

one.

mistress,

news

thousand

But,

have

towards

love

sympathy,
me

love

But

unjust.
my

We

as

adorable

my

cease

you

is

killed at least six thousand

and

Adieu,

letters

household, which

my

their

you

by

weeks

the
left

drawn

to

recollection

Paris

by

his

of his bride

affections,
of

less than

behind

not
was
him, his ardor
quenched, rather stimulated, at the thought of what
before
him.
He
reached
his command,
was
finding
the
disorganized, spiritless,without
shoes,
army
destitute
almost
of provisions. He at once
set about
its reorganization,in twenty days had it in condition
three weeks
to march
from
leaving Paris
; within
had
The
gained his first victory,at Montenotte.
letters he wrote
full of
almost
daily to his wife were
about
not a word
love, of passionate devotion
: but
his exploits,accomplished or in contemplation. The
two

processes
one

but

of his mind
himself

movements.

was

were

conducted

in

cognizant

of his

The

and

lover

strangely mingled in the same

his ravings, in all his tender

secret

plans,

epistles,he

no

his projected

the militarist

individual.

In

are

all

confines

213

JOSEPHINE.

to mistress

expression of
to country
and

would

fail

one

both

himself

not

devoted
whole

his

to the

to

other

neither

but

And

heart.

the

or

were

yet

to each

passion. His duty

things apart. He
was
equally
; he
entitled

was

he

the

gave

his

to

energies,

two
being ; there were
in that one
sorbed
combined
men
entity : the lover, abin his passion ; the warrior, permeated by the
His nature
fed upon
love of glory and country.
the
all the intensity of
material
with
at hand
; he loved
all the energy
his ardent
of
nature
; he fought with
found
the
one
Napoleon
inspired.
Eepublic
of her guillotine,loving her army,
abhorrent

the attention, of

entire

his

''

mad

risen

in

wrath

from

invasion,

all

to

deliver

her

All the world

In

Napoleon,

his

he

was,

Aroused

loves

as

soldiers

lover

found

by love, by

intense

leader"

and

"

both

thirst

for

slavery,

aroused, enraged, with

patriotism, impatiently awaiting

came.

from

"

who

leader.

combined.

glory, his

magnetic presence drew them ; his dominant

ality
personHe
took
what
impelled them.
Eepublican
she
had
France
had
assembled,
prepared, what
inchoate
it was,
moulded
took it,rough and
as
it,
beat it into shape, and hurled it on to victory.
this newly-risen star, this young
Who
was
eral,
genout to supersede old and
sent
tried veterans,
had
imable
who
been
to make
against
headway
the Austrian
armies, at least,of late : Kellerman,
soldiers asked
? The astonished
Augereau, Massena
it :
answered
deeds
this question but once
; his own
their leader, their born
he was
commander
; they
"

214

JOSEPHINE.

followed

him

gladly,

and

to

ever

and

new

newer

A
of silence, during which
month
triumph.
no
the impatient Directory from
their
tidings reached
their
then
there
burst
ished
astongeneral. But
upon
ears, like a thunder-clap, the victory of Monof April. Scarcely
the twelfth
tenotte, gained on
and electrified the capital,
had this message
awakened
there
than
came
another, the victory of Millesimo.
of Mondovi.
Four
victories in
of Dego, then
next
of ten
the space
pelled
comdays ; the King of Sardinia
his Austrian
allies and
to abandon
to place
all his fortresses

Of
received

the

first

the information,

from

the

with

the

columns

and

find

his

orders

of

the

victory, Mme.
in

common

that

of her
she

name

hero

awake,

every

mander.
com-

Bonaparte
with all Paris,

under

would
in

French

She

of the Moniteur.

love-letters

dreaming

never

at the

had

retired

her

pillow,

next

mouth.

ing,
morn-

During

the month

succeeding the reception of this news,

or
from
the twentieth
of April to the twentieth
of May,
the recipientof attentions
that would
Josephine was
have
She was
gladdened the heart of any woman.
the
of

famous

most

the

victorious

woman

then

in France

general, the

; the

best-beloved

wife

of

the

of France.
highly-honored man
the slow-moving couriers
While
were
carrying the
tidings to Paris, Napoleon was
pushing on ; the
he forced
of the Adda,
the passage
tenth of May
him
which
Lombardy, and on the fifteenth he
gave
His
cated
vindientered
Milan.
plan of campaign was
most

; he

had

fallen upon

the

enemy

from

the

rear

215

JOSEPHINE.

he had

the

penetrated to

of the

of the

the forces

divided

had

heart

disputed

Austrians

try,
coun-

and

the

Naples, Parma, the Pope,

all hastened
to conclude
a peace
or
beg an armistice.
of the 25th of April appeared the
In the Moniteur
first official report from
with
headquarters, rendered
a
dignified simplicity that delighted the Directory.
Two
other
andespatch announced
days after a second
victory, and the next day another.
Impelled
by the popular patriotism, the Directory addressed
to their young
in the name
general its felicitations,
of the nation.
Carnot,* proud of his protege and
of bestowing
delighted that he had been the means
France
this new
to Bonaparte :
leader, wrote
upon
The eyes of all France, of all Europe, are fixed upon
and your
indeed
This was
true, for of
army."
you
armies
of France
the
the other
North, of the
: of
Piedmontese.

Modena,

*'

in 1791

repelled the

his

18th
to

the

to

known
his

was

with

assistance

of the

too

late.' '

Camot,

500

the

Died

on

rection.
insur-

around

the

him;"

campaign
taking

Fructidor,

18th

of

is said

in

war

In

Jan.,

to have

Waterloo,

rout

of

in

1894,

1800, but

was

his

was

1814, he

remarked,"
' '

he

alone

1823.

assassinated

masse,

of his country,

his own,

the

ance
guid-

Switzerland, returning

to

resigned.

who

the

of

minister

and

going

to

en

the Vendean

1796, planned

escaped

appointed

After

atrocities

whose

nation

in the defense

d^etat

coup

but

quelled

1753;

1793, head

victory, under

changed

afterwards

Bonaparte,

self-possession."

President

one

Bonaparte,
of

and

absorbed

the

of

transportation,

agree

by

completely
as

of

XVIth;

rising of the

the

Prussians,

After

Brumaire;

you

and

Bonaparte

at hand.
to

the

seat

which

material

so

created

hardly cognizant

was

1795, took
Italy,

was

"

he

armies

tactician; bom

of Louis

Safety; organizer

Austrians

He

and

statesman

for the execution

of Public

fourteen

the

French

M.,

; voted

deputy

of Committee

that

N.

L.

Camot,

grandson.

in
the

demned
con-

after
able
un-

rallied
I have

retained

216

JOSEPHINE.

in
the

of

state

the

of

Sambre,

from

the

of

seat

took

place

wife

of

Tallien

Mmes.

fresh

less
of

her

and

he

her

with

the

departed

from

he
him
deeds

months

lot

silently

with
as

that

famous

among

too

shared

in

since

obscure

to

the
the

take

the

he

she

commanders

ful."
beauti-

Josephine
of

had

artillery
tion,
ostenta-

or

assigned
such

performed
of

the
of

glory

was

figure,

was

command
had

with

her

noise

attention

reflected

too

general
without

was

regularity

of

grace

had

her

who

the

of

traction,
at-

val
Festi-

this

popularity

to

she

command

the

thanks

passed

of

Although

expression,

went

attracted

was

arms.

^^

the

center

At

of

scepter

wonderful

agreeable

two

had

the

which

at

the

in

which

Bonaparte,

brilliant, yet,

features,

But

the

captured

eye.

Eecamier.

and

and

her

cast

shared

Bonaparte's

and

every

of

arrived

arranged

was

was

gratitude
there

was

Madame

Victories,

admired,

much

of

and

flags

general

but

one

Junot,

Luxembourg,

the

not

when

festival

cynosure

the

joy

twenty-two

victorious

the
of

The

intrepid

the

war

great

in

the

Alps,

climax

its

with

aide-de-camp,
Piedmont.

the

inactivity.

reached

people

of

Khine,

the

his

world
age

; he
;

feats

she

of

217

JOSEPHINE.

XIX.

CHAPTER

THE

The

LITTLE

CHANTEREINE.

the
adored
Bonaparte, now
populace, they lovingly called

Citizeness

Parisian
Dame
of

RUE

HOUSE,

des Victoires.

her

husband

She

was

was

his

Her

influence

upon

the

of
'^

the

Notre

fortunes

as
recognized by them
Not
alone
guiding star.

cent.
benefidid she

to it ; she
glory ; she had contributed
his talisman, his sovereign lady. Never
did
was
vor
knight-errant or paladine worship with greater ferof his beloved, at the
feet of his
at the shrine
chosen
cast with
one
greater joy the tokens of his
victories.
Yet, through it all,she bore herself with
sweetest
graciousness ; she was
touched
ununchanged,
by pride or vanity. Her knight had left her

share

in

in the

his

domicile
There

mistress.

house, Rue
It

in which
she

he

had

continued

first
to

seen

his heart's

reside,in

the little

Chantereine.

Josephine when
she was
sole possessor
of the heart
of Bonaparte ;
its very site has been a matter
of dispute ; yet how
interest
its walls
would
replete with
be, could we
but view
them
at the present timo
For
here they
!
loved
one
was
beloved, the other adored.
; at least
Here
of conjugal afthey first tasted the sweets
no

longer exists,this abode

of

218

JOSEPHINE.

; here

fection

the first

victories.

of her husband's
have

effaced, that

been

those

brought
Alas, that
which

walls

phine
Jose-

to

it should
once

vironed
en-

greatest happiness, should

in their

them

was

news

longer testify,though mutely,

to the vanished

no

rences
occur-

Napoleon
transpired ! Later, when
from
shall have
returned
Italy, the little house will
street in
be
honored
by a change of name
; the
of Chantereine, la
which
it stood be called, instead
the Street of Victory.
Eue
de la Victoire
his future
The
house, when
Bonaparte first met
but
wife in its reception-room, was
nished
scantily furtasteful and pretty ; the
; yet everything was
furniture
of mahogany
and
the yellow wood
of
The
low bed in her small chamber
was
Guadeloupe.
ornamented
with
a
daintilydraped, and the room
bust of Socrates.
The
harp and a marble
drawingthe exception of a Eenaud
with
piano, was
room,
mirrors."
with
chieflyfurnished
It maybe believed that the turn in Bonaparte's fortunes
that

here

"

''

enabled
home

; but

larger

his wife

she did
She

house.

to refurnish

not

abandon

was

well

though
adornment.

She

with

home

Eue

the

in the

protestations of

while

move

her

to

it for
content
in

extravagant

personal
her

and

her
go

and

better

with
dress

her

roundings,
sur-

and

in

content, in truth,
Chantereine, and not all

was

too

lover-husband
to

their

adorn

him.

Letter

could

for

after

letter

out
arrived, filled with pictures of his desolate life withness
her, the object of his affections ; of the barrenher share
fain have
of triumphs which
he would

220

JOSEPHINE.

touched

his

showed

nature
''

0,

awaits

adorable

my

shall not

be able

hold

to

out

the

that

that

harm

she

be

may

me,

of the

be

fate

will

I
not

when

thought
lot that
at the

alarm.

you

time

I looked

me,

Josephine may
my
ill ; and
above

thought that

what

courage

when

; and

for

know

was

without

misfortunes

terrible

it ; my

might do

wrote

longer from

me

courage

reserve

not

There

point.

men

destiny might

keeps

to endure

of that

proud

was

it

he

April

; I do

wife

if

but

me,

In

itself."

of his masterful

flame

fire and

heart, all the

But

of
my

most
the

now

in

trouble, that

all,the

cruel, fatal

love me
less,inflicts my soul
thought that she may
with torture, stops the beating of my
heart, makes
of even
the courage
sad and dejected, robs me
of
me
do
can
fury and despair. I often used to say : Man
is willing to die ; but now,
who
harm
to one
to
no
die without
this certainty,
being loved by you, without
is the

of hell.

torture

It
...

if I

as

who

choking.

were

been

have

chosen

My

painful journey of life

longer possess your heart
shall have

the world

But
.

the

to make

with

will be that in which

stop, my

own,

my

soul

mind
is exhausted
tired,my
; I am
for hating them,
: I have
men
good reasons
from
love."
separate me
my

is

sameness

are

the

same

in

all

the

wide

you
the

me

no

for

me

all attractiveness.

am

Lovers

me

I shall

day when

lost all warmth,

I will

only companion,

fate

by

to

seems

world

over

of whatever
love-letters,

is sad.
sick
for

of

they

; there

race,

221

JOSEPHINE.

degree
but

are

their writer

birth

or

the

other, seizes

or

of the

vaporings

and

upon

have

may

been.

passion that,
all

possesses

They
time

some

They

men.

genuine expressions of the soul ;

So far as man's
rather of the distorted imagination.
and
love could
be genuine
true, Bonaparte's love
was
completely possessed by it.
; for the time he was
it came
to an
That
end, that he was
no
longer
ter
a matswayed by the impulse of a fine passion, was
rarely

are

of

it lasted

But

course.

is

That

the

long while,

long

for such

for several

"

passion

months.

and

"

such

man.

As

for

them
who
met
both at
Josephine, says one
In his presence
she seemed
this period :
to feel
embarrassment
and surprise than
love.
more
She preferred enjoying her husband's
triumphs in
One writer has
Paris, to joining him in Italy. ..."
said :
even
Josephine found a good deal of
in Bonaparte's passion. I can
amusement
hear her
How
:
funny Bonaparte
say, with her Creole accent
'^

"

...

'

is ! '

This

of malice

; but

her

with

be

may

an

there

exaggeration, with
is
than

husband

doubt

no

he

she

if she could
this,it is doubtful
passion, so blind, so absorbing ; it

had

then

not

annoy

awakened
at her

that

even

love

earth

and

was

to

feet

heaven.

be

her.

was

embarrass

desired

She

heart

the

average

above

awoke,

too

all

this

have

must

the

less

More

understand

ried,
wea-

She

her.

to its value, could

transcendentally superior to
his

and

or

less in love

was

with

was

than

if it did not

more

stand
under-

not

of

of

man

so

that

men

treasures

late, to

of

reali-

222

JOSEPHINE.

lived

she

; of its

of its worth

zation

to

regret, with

surpassing preciousness ;
and

tears

the

remorse,

ing
pass-

de Eemusat
Says Madame
passion.
:
his
Possibly the cold reception w4th which
ardent feelingswere
met, had its influence upon, and
him.
have been
at last benumbed
Perhaps he would
of this

''

...

better

man,

if he

better, loved."
not

her

fault

had

been

Perhaps
that

she

more,

; yes,

did not

and

probably

especially
it was

but

She

understand.

was

She
frivolous.
had become
light-hearted and even
of men
to accepting the homage
accustomed
as
a
passing tribute, merely, to her charms, her position ;
not to be taken seriously. But here was
who
a man
her most
had taken
was
seriously, who
terribly in
earnest, who, having acquired the right to demand
her allegiance, did demand
it, and more
: exacted
love
in equal measure
for his own.
No
doubt
it
wearied
her, for, though she could return affection,
and
could

was

sensible

to the

impulses, she
passion superlative,

most

generous

not rise to the

heights of a
like this, in its intensity.
No wonder
that he reproaches her with being cold
Your
letters
and
one
unresponsive :
think
would
they had been written after we had been
married
fifteen years.
ness
They are full of the friendliand
the feelings of life's winter
What
do to distress me
?
more
can
Stop loving me ?
you
have
That
Hate
? Well, I
me
already done.
you
wish
would.
Everything degrades me
except
you
hatred
indifference
Still,a thousand
kisses,
; but
tender, like my heart."
'^

"

223

JOSEPHINE.

This

tension
shall

jealousy
her, with

not

to

come

Othello's
lover

If it is

threats

Neither
the last

her

united

news

of

the

same

time

Joseph :
My friend, I am
only creature in the
oppressed with the
.

condition.

of her

me,

you
not

be

husband's

of

cause

He

morse,
re-

wrote

my

wife

is

ill,and

Eeassure

to

her

mission

alone, given

she

so

arrange

obliged

to

should

to fears

over

am

earth

my

best

matters

remain

in

is finished.

my
more

the
for I

me,
can

no

ceased

to

I leave

of friends, and

Paris

and

to stand
to

come

that

me

feel deserted

to

on

hands,

; the

tell

me,

distraction,and
this separation. If she has

your
to

until

gloomy forebodings because

and tell
her, I beseech
you,

most

am

I love

whom

...

I love

my

myself in

they

filled with

was

nobody writes to me, and I

If my
wife is able
by you.

longer endure
love

no

the

as

rapture.

she is
I

her.

was

her

her

despair about

world

by all,even
journey, I desire that
need

it

reason

and

he

with

in

...

ill-health ;

knew

pany
persuading her to accomhad feigned sickness, had

which

See

exactly how

the truth.

beware

"

me

in

delay, at
at

he

not

you

you,

their

Junot

to

him

do

Why

Italy. She
of a possiblepregnancy

them
written

outraged

suspicions moved

when,

brother, Joseph,

and

fled.
nor

moment,

wronged

consult

not

has

reason

threatens

his heart

In

that

; he

that detains

lover

do

lovers

impossible

; it does

doing?

you

dagger."

; but

cannot

are

me

of

frenzy

"What

lover.

supervene

all the

it is

endure,

cannot

courier
than

I beseech
will

six

224

JOSEPHINE.

It
the

me

the

longest,

It

epistles.

*^

; I

alive

Prairial, An

la

de

IV.

Republique
(15th June, 1796).

A black
perpetual nightmare.
even
breathing difficult. I am
have
lost more
than
life,more

sentiment
pre-

"

makes

longer

dated

was

"

life is

My

his wife
Bonaparte wrote
passionate
eloquent, the most

le 27

Josephine

To

which

news

that

most

ToBTONAjMiDi,
^'

the

with

return

life."

new

at this time

was

his

of

his

hasten

hours, to
will give

no

than

than
almost
without
happiness, more
peace
; I am
He
will stay
sending you a courier.
hope. I am
only four hours in Paris, and then will bring me your
Write
at least ten pages
me
answer.
; that is the only
thing that can console me in the least. You are ill ?
You

love

; I have

me

child, and

do

how

know

eyes.

see

to

all the

been

my

me

has

shall

deprived
is

there

gloomy

for

heart

no

two
Who

that

you

have

with

of

me

it.

thought
ill that

proaches
re-

I do

it is

My
see

and

for

have

you

For

taking

sent

which
reason,

is to

hours,
is

so

you

my

recovery.

all I ask

that

love

recover

never

which

time

; the

sweet

me,

This

with

are

; you

myself right again in your

blaming you for staying in
have
ill. Forgive
been
you

set

have

you

you.

treated

...

Paris, and

my

not

I have

me.

not

distressed

and

malady
forebodings

filled
fear

from

are

you,

to

press

you

that

we

may

die

care

of

Hortense.

you
I

so

to

gether.
to-

I suppose
love

the

226

JOSEPHINE.

child

be able

may

explain
with

matter

^'If

at

for
I

allow

assure

of

Your

me

the

her

it with

and

your

again

and

until
is the

time

last

brief

had

letters

letter

in

always
portrait are

was

doubtless

gone

me

that

Josephine,
to
by
go

(22d May

month

me,

see

you

long

so

she

it is.

you

letters

you,

Paris.

for

leave

that

just what

serious

danger

any

I carry

However,

to

sending
long letter

how

written, but

had

Your

in

and

once

third

the

dated
she

me

writing

without

am

were

could

how

to

you

there

should

whom

the courier
you

As

little.

you

consolation, rest,hope, until

without

am

console

to

I think

better, since

times

thousand

my

astray).
pocket.

before

ever

my

eyes.
^^

nothing without

am

if you
allowed

had

you

so

I calculate
arrive
3d

long

not

suspect
at

known

have

could

lent

all the

that
Milan

you.

world
you
on

by before

to go

who

to those

ear

leave

fifteenth

if

leaving, or
detain

would

about

have

you

everybody about

will
the

Ah, Josephine,

heart, would

my

time

you.

the

you
.

fifth and

(4th

of

May

and

you

believe

that

of

June).
Josephine, if you
everything depends
safe
arrival,
your
^^

Travel

by

place, and

short

send

love
upon
be

stages
the

me,
your

very
; write

letters

on

if

preservation, upon
of
careful
yourself.
at every stoppingme
in

advance.

I
...

night and day. Without

interest in anysleep, without
appetite, without
thing
: friendship,glory, country ; it is you,
you ;

think

upon

your

illness

226

JOSEPHINB.

the rest of the world

and

exists

more

no

than

if it

annihilated.

were

"I

sake, victory because

for your

honor

value

it

not so I should
have
pleasure ; if it were
feet.
Sometimes
cast
left all and
myself at your
I say : I alarm
myself without cause
; she is already
still in
Vain
the way.
are
on
thought ; you
teresti
inbeautiful, more
bed, still suffering, more
your
adorable
are
more
pale, your
; you
tyes
more
Truly fate is cruel, she
languishing.
strikes me
through you.
In your
to assure
letter,my friend,take care
me
convinced
that you are
that I love you
ception
beyond conare
persuaded that all my time is
; that you

gives

you

''

consecrated

of you

thoughts
to think

of

grace,

absorbed
soul

because

that, if
you
a

alone
"

or

; that

of my
and
the
love

to

cease

to

occurs

they

you,

all without

are

alone, have

you

soul

that
.

in

day

my

which

will

me,

me

you

that

be

of

nature, the earth, is only beautiful

you

inhabit

your

love

it.
.

me,

fluid

between

believe
are

If you

believe

all

not

convinced, affected, then

love

you

lovers

is not

influences

occult

wit

without

passes

never

faculties

; that

all

idea

hour

; that

body,

your

grieve
magnetic

not

the

an

woman

and

beauty

change,

not

; that

all the

death

that

another

is in

shall
my

to you,

me

There

not.
.

who

those

for

is

love.

(Do

declare

this, and
exerted

that

their

benefit

the

thought

?)
You

of another

know

that

I could

lover, still less

not

endure

to suffer

one

to exist

to

228

JOSEPHINE.

Paris

to

with

twenty-two
flags. You
understand
?
him, do you

with

return

ought to
Unhapconsolation,

piness without
remedy,
continued
suffering and
to

friend.
.

see

him

He

will

inestimable

with

return

he

you,

far

far, very
is it not

him,

the

will

so

breathe

accord

the

him

the

cheek, while
But

away.

fortune
mis-

adorable

alone, my

you,

alone, and

am

see

if I have

suspense,

perhaps you will

privilege of kissing your

air with

same

without

sorrow

return

You

will

you

will

be

soon

Take
by my side, upon my heart, in my arms.
! But
wings to thyself,come, come
journey slowly
here

for

the

is

received

have
sweet.

and

road

I will

long, bad, and

letter

going

am

send

soon

fatiguing.

Hortense.

from

She

I
...

is very

to write

her.

her

perfumes she wishes.

the

I love her

dearly,

*^N.

Josephine
was

arrived

received

journeyed
and
of Abrantes

with

at Milan

the

in company
not

has

alone

highest

with
with

stated.

himself, in his Memoirs.

the

Junot

the

This

last

of

honors.
and

former,

B."

June,
She

and
had

parte,
Joseph Bonaas

is confirmed

the Duchess

by Joseph

her
Bonaparte received
with rapture, and
it is no
figure of speech to say
that all Italy was
at her
two
feet.
But
days they
General
allowed
was
were
together, then the young
catastrophe
obliged to hasten to avert the threatened
armies.
in the field before
the advancing Austrian
But he left his beloved
rounded
inhabiting a palace, surby adoring courtiers ; she who but recently

229

JOSEPHINE.

had

door

at the

been

she

that

assurance

strange lover, who

who

with

wrote

He

of want.

left her with

fully possessed

fought

ardently

as

hand

one

the

the

heart
as

the

of

he

this

loved

impassioned

most

invincible
an
love-letters,with the other wielded
sword.
Still,she did not yet understand, or fully
cuss
appreciate,this absorbing passion. We will not discould
have
the question, whether
woman
any
held

in

thrall

the

heart

of

man

so

far

above

his

less a woman
whose
charms
contemporaries, much
slow
heart
to re~
was
were
already fading, whose
spond to his passionate pleadings. But at this time
she possessed it utterly.
at Milan," says Marmont,
Once she had arrived
General
Bonaparte was
supremely happy, for
he lived
For
then
only for his wife.
a
long time
been
the case
did a purer,
this had
truer,
; never
exclusive
love fill a
man's
more
or
heart, or the
heart of so extraordinary a man."
''

''

He

it may

was,

of

language

writer

faithful

to

her, and

beauties

of

Milan

dissent

but
"

needless

be

of
at

from

this
at

were

the

the

his

to

repeat, in

the

"

time,
absolutely
all the
time, when
feet."

additional

We

cannot

that

comment,

of
loyalty to her was
partly a matter
love,
all of love, or
It was
the
partly of calculation."
from
tude.
rectisigns fail that distinguish dissimulation

his

At

first delighted,Josephine

bored,
but

not

only by

by her

the

lover's

soon

numerous

demonstrative

became
fetes

ly
extremeand

vals,
festi-

affection.

230

JOSEPHINE.

She

was

expression
it affected

it and

and

kind-hearted

too

this

to

tactful

to

but

he

weariness,

give

ward
out-

detected

him

deeply.
magnificently domiciled
safely and

Leaving her
in the
to his armies
returned
at Milan, Bonaparte
the
astonished
field,hurling his commands
upon
of his presence.
Austrians
before
aware
they were
Then
followed
the victories of Lonato, the last of
5th.
July and 3d of August ; Castiglione,August
of his superhuman
In the midst
labors he yet
time
for a daily love-letter
first soon
found
; the
after his departure, the 6th of July :
'^

I have

fatigue.
at

me

I pray

Verona

going

am

whipped

This

ill.

of

you,

*'

await

received

for I believe

at Roverbella

her, and

with

this to meet

thousand

they did not meet ;

her continued, as another, dated
to see
her :
17th July," assures
not

dead

am

receipt of

I send

written

was

enemy.

you leave on
need
; I have

to be very

letter

the

kisses."

; he

but
^'

could

his desire

Marmirolo,

letter,my adorable friend ;

heart with
it has filled my
joy.
My felicityis to
Without
be near
to you.
ceasing I pass in review
of your
the memory
sweet
kisses,your
tears, your
of the incomparable Josephine
jealousies; the charms
I have

your

have
my

you

kindled
senses.

every

constant

Since I have
.

day

flame

in

known

more

and

more

my

heart

you

I have

this

goes

and

in

adored
to prove

231

JOSEPHINE.

that

La-Bruyere's
Show

false.
.

maxim

of

some

me

Love

suddenly, is

comes

faults

your

beautiful,less gracious, less tender and

be jealous, and never
all,never
weep,
drive me
they fire my blood.
crazy,
health.
as
Eejoin me
Eegain your
have
more
possibly can, that we
may
together ere death shall part us."
.

day following, another

laments
solicitude, with

The
with

from

absence
"

I have

am

very

; be

good

less

; above

for your

tears

Kest

well.

soon

as

you

happy

days

letter,equally

filled

over

her

continued

his side.

passed the

night under

know

to

uneasy

whole

how

you

arms.
.

are,

what

you

doing. I have been in Virgil's village,on the

not a minute
lake shore, by moonlight, and
passed
dream
I did
not
of Josephine.
The
in which
are

enemy
a

made

has

loss of 500

have

sortie
I

men.

A
...

drove

we

well.

am

them
am

no

back

with

all yours

and

in

your

happiness, except
thousand
as
kisses,as warm

pleasure,

no

society.

you

are

cold."
of the siege of Mantua
he
during the course
his
visited
had
Virgil's village, thinking upon
his days
in melancholy revery," so it seems
mistress
Two
her.
filled with
were
days later he complains
most
dolorously that she has not written him during
of
time :
Two
that
a
days without
space
letter from
you."
With
the same
pen that traces his love-sick epistles

As

'^

"

232

JOSEPHINE.

he writes
army

another

his

short, terse, vigorous appeals to the

the
his
to
announcements
Directory of
victory. Only occasionally does his passion

manifest
the

month

of.

her

his love for

the

directing the
the

and

the

or

wife

his

; upon

of the

between

neglecting
calm, intrepid,wisely

operations that

vast

these

alternates

his soldiers ;

other

total annihilation

from

he

Thus

Josephine

one

^*

to him

madness."

to

In

despatch to Carnot, he
to Josephine, recomattentions
mending
whom
patriot,and
as
a sincere

April, in

for his

him

thanked

I love

official communications.

itself in these

never

to

are

Austrian

great

schemes

to

heart

wearing

her

result

armies
write

in

ing
; turn-

his absent

letters

and

her

portrait.
The
him

July he arranged
Brescia, attending to

for his wife

last of
at

to meet

detail

every

of

her

solicitude for her

safety ; but a change

in Wurmser's
movements
precipitated Josephine
into
the
of
midst
the contending
armies.
She
narrowly escaped capture, she witnessed the horrible
effects of shot and shell,saw
the dead and wounded
time
the field of battle, and at one
brought from
journey

with

under

was

dangers
her

she

fire

reached

husband

and

received

his affection.

^'Wurmser
caused

from

you."

in the
from
It

was

shall

a
a

place

of

intervals
him

fort.

hostile

safety,was

of

his

continued

at this time

pay

dear

After

for

arduous

many

joined by
duties,

testimonials

that he wrote

the

tears

of
:

he

has

233

JOSEPHINE.

The

tenth

of

that

tender

of

you,

my

image
the

have

your
;

often

be

of

says

careful
me."

the

They

he

show

love

same

and

which

he

here
Your

of

subject
I

my

shall

letters.

is

your

write

to

health

and

thoughts
not

Adieu,
.

of

paign
cam-

fame,

Brescia,

arrival

thither.

journey

Josephine
often,

the

for

wife.

but

Josephine.

been

received

his

to

on

five-days'

figure

from

he

adorable

have

marked

Writing

thought

first

that

affection,

triumph,

in

"My

letters

regard.

entered

all

his

diminution

no

him

made

recommenced

after

August,

to

your

during
until

rest

my

sweet

health,

and

think

234

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTEK

napoleon's

XX.

love-letters.

the fruits of his recent

having secured
he
to Milan, where
victories,Bonaparte hastened
passed two happy weeks in the society of his wife.
lodged in the palace Serbelloni,residence
They were
and
of the
of the duke
where
same
they
name,
of the delighted
and
received the tributes
homage
Italians.
Although but recently in desperate straits
of poverty, with an
ragged and insufficiently
army
of the French
had undergone
supplied, the fortunes
surrounded
a most
magical change.
Bonaparte was
by a brilliant staff of gallant officers : Berthier,
: Muiron
Murat, Junot, Duroc, Lemarrois, Sulkowski
and be
to fall at Areola
and Elliot,who
were
soon
Croisier ; all devoted
and
to
replaced by Lavalette
anxious
to gain the good
their young
general and
of his lovely wife.
the
By his side also was
graces
brother
of Napoleon, Louis
Bonaparte, as
young
in the dragoons, and
lieutenant
to sustain
who
was
intimate
relations with
the most
Josephine's family,
at a later period,by marriage with her daughter.
forth
the genius of Napoleon,
At this time shone
as
an
organizer of victory and government, as a
After

236

JOSEPHINE.

brother

of
school

same

hope

Embrace

for

Adieu,
think

send

to

dear

my

often

of

dear

my

thy

Emilie

Eugene,

Hortense,

in

the

and

Jerome.

darling daughter

my

her

write

mamma,

placed

Campan, to whom
Italian
engravings.

beautiful

some

me

been

to Mme.

remembrances

Kindest

had

Napoleon, who
with Eugene).

often.

Bonaparte."

"Josephine

September, after the decisive victory

the Austrians, Bonaparte writes
to Josephine
over
of his gigantic labors :
The enemy
a brief account
dear
has lost,my
as
friend, some
oners
pris18,000 men
killed or wounded.
rest are
Wurmser,
; the
and
of 1,500 horse
with a column
5,000 infantry,
The

tenth

of

"

"

had

other

no

than

recourse

I have

Mantua.

been

...

days, badly lodged,

two

far

so

from

thee.

and

himself

to throw

here,

my

very

Wurmser

is

dear
much

into

Josephine,
vexed

to be

surrounded.
.

The

instant
A

arms.

this affair
million

times

is concluded
I embrace

I shall be in

thy

thee."

enough have been quoted, of these ardent lovehow

Bonaparte to his wife, to show
epistlesfrom
the love that held
absorbing and all-possessingwas
He
is constantly crying out against
him
enthralled.
and
her neglect ; perhaps with
her coldness
reason,
But

she

since

doubtless

had

more

time

than

he

to write

communications.
respond to his numerous
been
not
have
Josephine's letters to her husband
preserved, and thus it must be mainly upon his own
of the charge of
testimony that she is convicted
and

did not

237

JOSEPHINE.

coldness

indifference.

and

But

fact

the

that

she

together,
they were
acceptable to him when
that she so completely satisfied him
by her presence,

was

so

to refute

seems

in

charge of indifference.

the

He

was

everything, imagines everything

vexed
by apparent
; is impatient of delay and
of reason
in
a basis
forgetfulness. Still,there was
nature
his complaints ; she was
true to her indolent
;
she was
her motto, and
not
laissez-fairewas
yet
deeply in love !
the end of September he wrote
orous
dolTowards
a most
letter,full of complaints of her coldness :
Thy letters are as cold as fiftyyears of age.
Tes lettres sont froides comme
cinquante ans ; elles
resemhlant
de menage.
Chi y voit
a
quinze ans
love

love

exacts

"

'^

Vamitie

et les sentiments

C^est

Josephine.
Men

traitre

No

one

heart

was

and

crush

that

his mistress

hien

Fi

mauvais,

this young
then

man

was

held exclusive

then

in

possession

devoted

entirely to her service.

in love's net,
inextricablyenmeshed

still the

armies.

la vie.

etc.
.

deny

de

mediant,

vous.''^

Yet, though
he

Men

can

love ; that
of

de cet hiver

Austria
him

formidable

put forth
; he

met

and

enemy
all

her

of

the Austrian

power

to

meet

vanquished her bravest

generals, her most skilled and experienced officers.
under
A
new
Alvinzi, fifty thousand
strong,
army
Napoleon met with his forty thousand
braves, and,
in the desperately-contestedbattle of Areola, lasting
them.
three days, defeated
This hardly-won battle

238

JOSEPHINE.

17th

took

place on the 15th, 16th and

Bonaparte triumphantly entered
and

himself

fatigue
to

ser

hope

to be in your

husband

only

needs

little time

Josephine, dated
Soon, my dear

yesterday under
Josephine's love

defeated

was

constant

Wurm-

All is well.

arms.

troops

^*

of

allowed

marching and fighting. Yet he

to elapse before sending a letter
Verona, 24 th November, 1T96.
one,

his

Verona,

the

with

out

worn

of November.

Thy

Mantua.
to

him

make

''

perfectlyhappy.
Wishing to give her a happy surprise,and having
ened
hastat his disposal,Bonaparte
twenty-four hours
His
to Milan.
disappointment, his rage, may
be imagined, when
he found
that
she had
departed
for Genoa.
Unaware
of his intended
visit,Josephine
had accepted a pressing invitation
from
the authorities
received
she was
to visit the city of Genoa, where
with a magnificence unsurpassed ; where
she was
a
veritable
Napoleon did not reflect that this
queen.
tribute
to himself, that in
glorious reception was
a
the Genoese
honoring the wife of the conqueror,
were
paying the highest compliment to the victorious
he
the spiritin which
general. His letters show
her

took

absence

"Milan,
"

had
You

reached

left all to
were

not

Milan
see

; I

to fold

you,

into

burst

there.
.

no

room.

your

in my

you

You
.

27th November.

arms.

longer

care

for

here
till the
I shall be
Napoleon.
ninth, during the day. Do not disturb yourself,
nor
interrupt your pleasures ; happiness is for you ;
your

dear

...

239

JOSEPHINB.

the world
and

is

that

have

you

with
do
.

Let

Josephine.
the

vexations

days

to write

and

the

adorable

fate

of

least

in

concentrate

I open

letter to

my

rounded
Sur-

me.

you

sacrifice

for

Adieu,

my

woman.

and

she

to

entertainments,

griefs ; but give to

prosperityand happiness. Who

than

more

make

to

Adieu,

time

no

pleasures

wrong

me.
.

^^

he

day

next

would

too

husband

your

The

happy to give you pleasure ;

only is very, very unhappy."
I can
wrote
stand
:
easilyunder-

only

my

heart

all

Josephine

my

merits

imprint

them
a

kiss

for thee.
"

Ah, Josephine !

Josephine

"Bonaparte,"

But

he had

Milan

that

was

he hastened

again

of movements

armies

for the

army

to waste

series

Austrian

The

time

no

in idle
to

that

ing
repinings ; leavthe field,commencing
confounded
in

culminated

and

anew

the

repeated victories

French.
last

in the

destined

month

of

1796

field,under
to be

no

more

found

the

another

General

successful

Austrian

Alvinzi, who
in this

attempt

Napoleon than in the first.

Bewildered
ing
by these successive defeats,yet unwillherself
to acknowledge
vanquished, Austria
of 65,000 men
the general of
hurled
this army
upon
the Eepublic. As before,his tactics triumphed ; the
valor of his brave
soldiers
prevailed ; the victory of
Rivoli, 14:th January, 1797, added another to the
list of Bonaparte's unbroken
chain of triumphs.
to combat

240

JOSEPHINE.

Soon

surrendered,

after, Mantua

succession

came

the

of

victories

and

in

quick
Faenza, Ancona,

Loreto, Tolentino.
Without
allowing his enemies any rest, Bonaparte
in two
the Papal States, and
weeks
turned
upon
the French
forced
the Pope to sign a treaty by which
their own
soil.
to fight the Austrians
enabled
on
were
In
in February.
the
This
March, he forced
was
of the
Tagliamento (on the nineteenth ) ;
passage
Trieste in his possession.
the twenty-third he had
on
of April saw
the French
first week
The
the
on
army
of Bonaparte, that
road to Vienna, and the threat
dictate
he would
to the Emperor
terms
of Austria
in his own
capital,likely to be fulfilled. Only the
of Leoben,
of
armistice
signed on the nineteenth
April, saved the capital from invasion
in May war
The
first week
declared
was
against
of that
month
Venice, and by the middle
was
cupied,
oc.

and

Genoa

at

the

feet

revolutionized

of

the
the

conqueror

; while

Ligurian Kepublic.
The
last of June
witnessed
the
proclamation of the
in July,
Cisalpine Eepublic, and the French
army,
retired to rest in the Venetian
States.
During the
of the negotiations with
Austria, which
progress
slow and
self
himwere
tedious, Bonaparte established
at Montebello, some
leagues distant from Milan.
Here, surrounded
by the mor^t beautiful
scenery,
attended
of most
by beauties
distinguished rank,
who
of
all rendered
wife
to the
honored
homage
of Austria, of the
Bonaparte ; visited by the envoys
Pope, of the kings of Naples and Sardinia ; Bonawas

as

241

JOSEPHINE.

well

The
won

it the

charming

manners

all

classes

of her

little court
if

ever

Bonaparte's

she

was

and

her

wife

had

fame

was

first shone
should

have

re-established

in

been
; her

exposed to the
of the
terrible vicissitudes
Eugene
; while
camp
Paris to rejoin his beloved
arrived
from
had
parent
of Bonaparte, who
at the orders
and place himself

husband

was

now

with

she

here

health

him

to

Here

own.

; her

and

but

an

of Montebello.

of

her

to

already established
happy,

Court

called

who

assemblage as
bestowed
ians,
by the Ital-

distinction

the

merited

such

him

parte gathered about

her,

not

'

ever

looked

upon

and

treated

him

as

his

own

son.

Immediately upon his arrival he was

appointed aidewho
for
manifested
de-camp to the general-in-chief,
he was
him
a great
attachment, in which
justified
admirable
was
qualities. He
by the boy's many
then seventeen
old, of excellent address, loyal,
years
and
from
the first was
good-hearted, courageous,
unalterably devoted to his step-father.
somewhat
her pristine
recovered
Josephine had
not so overcome
by ennui as in the
gayety, and was
she wrote
to her aunt
that
month
preceding, when
she

would

rather

be

an

obscure

dweller

in her

loved
be-

in Italy.
recipient of honors
bored
admitted
that she had
She was
to death, but
I have
the most
for it ; for, she adds:
no
reason
in the world
is nothing
delightful husband
; there
I desire
his conthat is not mine.
are
stant
My wishes
before
He is all day in adoration
as
care.
me,
a
divinity." His divinity did not
though I were

Paris, than

the

'^

242

JOSEPHINE.

appreciatethis
and

who

can

at its full

devotion

her

that

say

value, it is feared
doubts

subsequent

and

Later, a few
shall see
that the divinities have
changed
we
years,
divinity,
places ; on the conjugal pedestal is another
ration,
prostrate in adonamely. Napoleon, and before him
jealousies

this

During

Josephine.

same

the

deserved

well

not

were

Austrians

the

when

time

flying

were

Bonaparte, and while he was

his wife, he wrote
the last
from
necessarily absent
have given her a place among
of those letters which
redoubtable

the

before

of the

beloved

those
He

obliged

was

assured
state

the

meanwhile

her
of

the

sweet

my

The

"

The

friend

thirteenth

am

very

she

alone

no

Bologna,
rejoin him,

at

her

; think

of

to accompany

rejoin him
country would
of his

informed

kisses.
as

at this

was

of

never

moment.

as

soon

allow

so

tired

Adieu,

of me."

February

he adds

the mountains.
setting out to cross
with
first opportunity, I shall have
you

about

movements

he writes

of these

and

him,

should

one

war

field

capable

means

her

distracted

million

detestable

this

of

you

to allow

In

by daily letters.

by

was

that

keeping

"I send

her

sad, wishing to
very
fatigues and dangers of the

despite the
she
bivouac, which
enduring.
Napoleon refused
but

leave

to

became

she

where

immortals.

244
God

JOSEPHINE.

! What

I love

better

I entreat

think

is of

heart

my

marble

do

wife

hands

and

write

love

not

You

?
.

; do not

My

friend,

me

every

Think

me.

do

know

not

to whom

believe it of j^ou, you

I cannot

me.

you

me

of you;

only

for my

only
of

often

sick, or

are

I think

at her

treatment

you,

You

day.

I done
; live

only Josephine

I merit

you

have

then

nature

and beauty ; you who

alone
given wit, sweetness
who
well know,
heart
without
reign in my
; you
me.
empire you have over
doubt, the absolute
and
Write
of me,
above
think
all,love me.
me,
has

Yours

for

This

life. ..."

is the

last

letter

of

this

period written
by
logna,
Bonaparte to his wife ; for he soon rejoined her at Boand
together they went to Milan, where
they
After
passed happy days in loving companionship.
five years

of France

of war,

the most

obstinate

of the

enemies

humbled, and sued for peace at the

hands
of this young
general of twenty-seven years,
bound
had
all the
at one
who
placed himself above
great captains of his time.
It was
during the long delay consequent upon the
was
negotiation of the treaty, which
finallysigned
sion
the 17th October, that Bonaparte planned a diverThe
for Josephine in the trip to Venice.
ernment
govwas

of

historic
which

capital ;

his wife

language
"

says

Venice

was

which
The

had

invited

for

but

not
has

general

reasons

him
of

cognizant,
been
well

to
his

he

attributed
knew

how

visit that

own,

and

declined.

of
In

to

her,

she

to

gild

the

245

JOSEPHINE.

chains

which
and

imposed with

had

he

friends, the ItaHans.

enough

those

address, upon
able

to be

; at least

made

...

he

to

much

called
Italian

spoke

reply

sometimes

and

me,

so

to

to

the

nature
good-

his

good

passably

the
very
the

ments
complisome
weari^

First
they honored
speeches with which
Citoyenne' of the French
Republic." Bonaparte's
known
she was
not
to Josephine, as
designs were
not then the depositary of his confidence, and it cannot
be declared
against her that she lent herself to
he was
then
which
gilding the chains
forging
for
the
received
Venetians.
She
was
unhappy
everywhere with acclamation, fetes and processions
made
in her honor, processions of gondolas on
were
The
threw
the grand canal.
Venetians
themselves
of the conqueror
of Italy,
at the feet of the wife
the
hoping to flatter him by these attentions
; at
time
same
paying a tribute of homage to one who
had gained all hearts by her kindness.
in their endeavors
to
They vied with the Milanese
gratify her every taste, her every ambition
; and
had
it depended upon
Josephine alone, the fate of
"

Venice
sinister
manifest
this

"

would

have

designs
; but

of

not

been
her
in

fortunate.

more

husband

time

to

were
mar

the

soon

The
made

pleasure

of

auspicious journey.
After
had
been
the
Formio
treaty of Campo
Austria
ceded
immense
signed, by which
territory,
the Rhine, and securing
a frontier
on
giving to France
tories,
victo Bonaparte
the fruits
of his numerous
Josephine, yielding to a desire to visit the

246

Holy
there
went

JOSEPHINE.

City,
on

and

to

see

her

son,

Eugene,

from

mission, parted

who

Bonaparte

was

and

to Kome.

in accord
her prewith
reception there was
vious
this
treatment, in Milan, in Venice
; and
well upon
bestowed
as
Josephine, the
homage was
and
of
heart
Madame
woman
feeling, as upon
Bonaparte, the wife of the victorious general.
able
not
to
By this digression, Josephine was
journey of Napoleon,
participate in the homeward
which
unbroken
series of triumphal proceswas
one
sions.
For a caprice,some
have
declared,Josephine
renounced
thus
the
triumphant
journey across
and
rather
Switzerland
from
Italy ; but it was
a
her son, and to behold
desire to embrace
the glories
of the Eternal
City.
Bonaparte left Milan on the 17th of November, to
of Eastadt
place himself at the head of the congress
;
he was
thence
summoned
by the Directory to Paris.
his departure he sent
Before
scribed
to France
a
flag inHer

upon
been

which

accomplished

was

in the

summary

what

had

years' fighting,in the

two

of most

succession

of

Unlike
splendid victories.
many
of his reports from
the field,this was
no
tion,
exaggerabut
of the history of
a striking abridgment
the Italian campaign."
'^Prisoners, 150,000; 170 standards; 550 pieces
siege artillery; 600 field artillery; 5 pontoon equipages
64-gun ships ; twelve
32-gun frigates ;
; nine
12 corvettes
Armistice
with
the
; 13 r^'cILoyr:
;
with Genoa
King of Sardinia ; convention
; armis'^

247

JOSEPHINE.

tice with

King

of
of

the

Duke

Naples

of

Parma

; armistice

Leoben

; armistice

with

; convention

the
of

Pope

with
;

the

naries
prelimi-

Montebello

with

with
the
republic of Genoa
; treaty of peace
at Campo
Formio.
Emperor of Germany
Liberty
given to the people of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena,
Massa-Carrara, La Eomagna,
Brescia,
Lombardy,
Bergamo, Mantua, Cremona, part of the Veronese,
Chiavana, Bormio, the Valteline, the Genoese, the
Imperial Fiefs, the Departments of Corcyra, of the
of Ithaca.
Sent
to Paris
Sea, and
^gean
:
all the masterpieces of Michael
Angelo, Guercino,
Titian, Paul Veronese, Correggio, Albana, the Carda Vinci."
racci, Eaphael, and of Leonardo
As
he had
dictated
terms
a
military commander
to the most
powerful nations of Europe ; as a ruler
of government
he had
to nearly
prescribed forms
enriched
France
all Italy ; he had
with
of
treasures
art and
her
replenished her coffers ; he had made
the

...

armies

terror

to the

world.

the Luxembourg
reception in Paris, when
in honor
of the
most
was
magnificently decorated
the Directory assembled
there
occasion
the
; when
beauty and the fashion, the most powerful and the
the triumphant
return
of
wealthiest, to witness
their famous
general, of this ovation to Bonaparte's
genius, all the world knows, and we will not repeat
life.
what
properly pertains to the history of his own

Of

his

"

Josephine was
her

presence

accompanying

not

there

to grace

the

festivities with

from
voluntarily abstrined
journey
Bonaparte on his homeward

; she

had

248

it

JOSEPHIKE.

not

was

in

his

till he

had

been

in

the

Rue

house,

with

wearied

her

done
her

honor

hero, and

tasted
It

the
was

reached
his

but

ardent

on

her

in

truth,

there

had

as

ever

their

marital

have

in the

arms

of

where

they

had

first

1797,

had

been

no

have

relations

alleged

"eny
her

on

"

wife,
longer

indiscretions

further, and

indiscretion

his

was

no

writers

parte
Bona-

that

still loved

least, it

; at

go

criminal

was

He

malicious
not

fain

while

December,

There

we

may

of

cooled

some

fatigued

affection.

home.

passion.

part,

during

5th

his

love

an

of marital

the

on

little house

in the

joys

rest

to

would

who

those

glad

journey,

long

the

from

attentions

with

eight days established

Chantereine, that she returned,
for

that

part

"

is

This, however,

anticipatory of the Egyptian campaign, when

they
were
so
long separated, and when, without
doubt.
in -the land
of
guilty of infidelities,
Napoleon was
Pharaohs.

the

had

She

missed

the

Luxembourg,

when

her

she

sated

with

but

craved

with

was

and

peace

by orders
Italy, at
it

an

still

was

brought
of the

of

been

Josephine,

expense
an

to his

enemies

fetes

of their

It had

Chantereine.

husband

quietude

retirement

the

feet

the

of France.

was

and

; she

of

the

eulogized

so

well

was

little house

content

in the

Eue

and

before

departure

her

thousand

dwelling for
most
haughty

; she

receptions

refurnished

of many

obscure

festivities

glorious

enlarged,

francs

for

; but

one

who

had

and

powerful

249

JOSEPHINE.

XXI.

CHAPTER

IN

BONAPARTE

On

EGYPT.

the third of

January, 1708, a few days after the

of Josephine, from
return
of foreign
Italy, the minister
that
affairs,Talleyrand, gave an entertainment
far outshone
everything of the kind that had been
attempted by the Directory. Although Josephine
missed
the festivityof the Luxembourg,
had
she
the honors
shared with her glorious husband
of
now
As an
of
this occasion.
attraction, says an observer
second
the coremonies, she was
only to Bonaparte.
the beginning of the restoration
was
Talleyrand's ball
of the manners
and
elegance of
; a revival
and
who
the old regime ;
fitted as the wife
of
so
Bonaparte to lead the people out of the slough of
into the light of elegant
revolutionary manners
society?
Madame
Bonaparte was
peculiarly adapted to
"

"

serve

in

society of
historians
says

Mme.

education
destined

ameliorating the harsh

that
period ; but, if we
of that time, Napoleon was
de Remusat,
deficient
'^

it

always

seemed

if

as

to live in

he

tent,

of

manners

believe

may

not.
in
must

where

' ^

He

the
"

was,

and

manners

have
all

the

men

been
are

250

JOSEPHESTE.

equal,

or

did

He
leave

sit down

his

him.
he

It

so

or

how

nor

the

to
and

ball, the

very

celebrated

enthusiastic

an

from
her

bored

attentions

at that

'was

enter

abrupt,

of

effectuallydisposed of

cooled
*'

conceived

had

; her

esteem

light

of

treatment

Italy. Far
feeling, Napoleon held

this

mitted.
per-

"

hero

for the

admiration

bow,

questions were
speech.

his

in

Stael, who

de

Mme.

to

His
of

manner

is shown

This

to make

how

properly.

was

so

either

how

know

not

nor

room,

everything is

throne, where

upon

cating
reciproin

and

annoyed
runs,

that

admirer

and

story

this ardent

rather

enthusiasm.

her

General,'^ she said, immediately she had

to

him,

"

what

do

woman

''My wife."
''That
is natural;

you

but, whom

do

been

troduce
in-

love best ? "

you

esteem

most?"
"

That

"Ah,
among

one

enmity
treatment

best

who

true; but

housekeeper."

do

you

think

is the

first

?"

women

the

"Madame,
There

is the

who

one

is little wonder
between

them

who

bears the most

that

; but

of this talented

there

was

children
ever

after

!"
an

Napoleon's subsequent

woman

is

foul blot upon

his character.

Either

from

desire

to escape

the attentions

of

the

people, or from policy,Bonaparte led a retired life,

the
which
were
going only to those entertainments
mirers.
adofferings of his colleagues and
spontaneous
To the Directory he was
an
object of sus-

251

JOSEPHINE.

picion, of
risen

star

; its members

envy
a

rival

which

glory,
"

achievements.
should

who

all

It

is not

and

approve

conquest
campaign

in the

watched

with

they

would

after

had

but

this

reflection

accelerate

surrounded

his

the

own

of

that

strange, then,

During

newly-

eclipse their

soon

was

even

Orient.

in

saw

they

scheme

whole

his

of

Italian

with

spies,had
unexampled
attempted to

him

burning jealousy his

of conquest and glory ; had even
career
his plans for the aggrandizement
of France.
thwart
Napoleon foresaw the decline of his popularity, and
resolved
a
campaign that should
eventually
upon
revive
it.
On the night of the tenth Nivose," says
his private secretary in his
Memoirs, '^the Rue
Chantereine, in which
Bonaparte had a small house,
of a decree
of the Departreceived,in pursuance
ment,
''

the

of Rue

name

de

la Victoire.

The

cries of

'Vive

the
incense
so
Bonaparte,' and
prodigally
offered up to him, did not, however, seduce
him
from
and
ruler
his retired habits.
Lately the conqueror
under
for whom
he had
of Italy,and
now
men
no
in him
formidable
a
rival, he
respect, and who saw
said to me
member
one
day : The people of Paris do not reI to remain
here
long,
anything. Were
I obWhen
served
doing nothing, I should be lost .'
his
be agreeable to him
that it must
to see
fellow-citizens so eagerly running after him, he replied
'

were

his age

Bah

they

would

crowd

as

fast to

He
wished
going to the scaffold.'
debarred
on
was
a Director, but
perceiving that the time
; and

see

to

me

be

account
was

not

if
pointed
ap-

of

yet

252

JOSEPHINE.

for such

favorable

'

January, 1Y98

28th

purpose,
:

said

Bourrienne,

to me,

I do

not

on

the

wish

to

willing
nothing to do. They are unI see
that if I linger
to listen to anything.
here
I shall soon
lose myself.
Everything wears
out here ; my
glory has already disappeared. This
little Europe does not supply enough
of it for me.
I must
seek
it in the East, the fountain
of glory.'
He
revolted
at the idea of languishing in idleness
fresh laurels
at Paris, while
were
growing for
His
climes.
him
in distant
imagination inscribed
in anticipation his name
those gigantic monuon
ments
which
alone, perhaps, of all the creations of
have
of eternity. Already prothe character
men,
claimed
the most
illustrious of living generals, he
of antiquity by his
sought to efface the rival names
If Caesar
own.
fought fiftybattles,he longed to
left Macedon
to penefight a hundred
; if Alexander
trate
of Ammon,
he wished
to leave
to the Temple

remain

here

; there

he

is

to travel

Paris
he

was

thus

to

to the
run

of

cataracts
race

with

the

fame,

Nile.
events

While

would,

in his

his
to render
as
opinion, so proceed in France
and
His place would
return
opportune.
necessary
he should
not come
to claim
be ready for him, and
it

forgotten

The

or

little house

unknown
in

the

man."

Chantereine

Kue

became

to
activities : dinners
unexampled
and headquarters for the general who
was
officials,
unknown
into an
about
land, for
launching himself

the

center

of

conquest and to
made,
preparations were
renewed

reap

new

laurels.

and, accompanied

Soon

by

all
his

263

JOSEPHINE.

and
wife, Eugene, Bourrienne, Duroc
Lavalette,
The
journey was
Bonaparte set out for Toulon.
more
dangerous, and fraught with greater perils,
in the enemy's country, for their
than a campaign
the road.
coach was
on
Josephine
nearly wrecked
her husband
had intended
to accompany
to Egypt,
for

sea-

had

voyage

no

for

terrors

one

had

who

several
times
the
ocean
already traversed
; and
the climate, she argued, could
born
not affect one
beneath
But
at Toulon, when
about
a tropicalsun.
her to leave, and
to embark. Napoleon forbade
she
sought a retreat for a while at Plombieres, to obtain

the benefit
The
knows

of its waters.
in

campaign
the

minutest

Egypt, of which
no
details,forms

history ; except for the

absence
of Napoleon, and
the crucial

Napoleon
May, 1798.

sailed

from

that

it
of

because

of their

event

He

fact

all the

was

world

part of. this

during the

it,that

occurred

lives.

Toulon

the nineteenth

on

of

left the

magnificent harbor, which

he
in delivering from
had been instrumental
the
hands
of the
board
the great
English in '93, on
which
of the vessels
he
was
one
frigate, "FOrient
himself
rescued
at the time when
he was
simply an
officer of artillery.
of June
the
On the twelfth
his ; the second
of
were
strong fortresses of Malta
in his possession ; on the twentywas
July Alexandria
"

...

first the
the

Battle

summits

down
French

the

of

of these

were

you
at

'^

:
"

Soldiers,from

look
pyramids forty centuries
the twenty-third of July the
on
;
the gates of Cairo.
"

upon

Pyramids

"

254

JOSEPHINE.

Nile

battle of the

The

and

August,

for

took

place
period the

brief

the

on

first of

French

rested

Between
the first
rapidly-gathered laurels.
of June, was
of March, 1799, and
the middle
summated
conJaffa
the disastrous
Syrian campaign.
invested
d'Acre
the
was
was
taken, St. Jean
; on
of Mount
Tabor.
battle
The
16th
of April the
fill a
would
horrors
of this
terrible
campaign
but
an
episode in the life of the
volume, yet form
linked
with
whose
fortunes
are
extraordinary man
The
those
of the one
are
we
following.
siege of
the
22d
of May, and the 14th
Acre
raised on
was
of June
Napoleon reached Cairo, with the remnant
In
of his
the
July, the
25th, occurred
army.
battle
of Aboukir,
the Turkish
terrible
by which
their

on

annihilated

was

army

of

About
from
had

the

driven

that

the

French

France

had

; that

And
news

little sation
compenthe fleet, in the

besides
came

he

or

been

found

these

to him

loss of fleets

killed

had

of

armies

that

and
he

so

his army
back

three

years

terrible

which

had

beaten

gloriouslygained

accumulated

the Austrians

driven

her

more

news

Italy ; Macdonald

lost all that

she

in which

of

out

; Hoche

defeated

for her

months

for several

France

been

was

irreparable loss of
Aboukir, in the August preceding.
this time
Bonaparte received the first
for

Bay

this

; but

drove

to the

dition
con-

before.

tidings

import
to the

of

evil,

than
verge

the
of

hitherto
He
imperturbable.
so
despair this man
had promised Josephine she should
him
to
follow
three
months
two
or
Pomona,"
Egypt in the
*'

255

JOSEPHINE.

later ; but
her

on

frigate

that

return

taken

was

; and

voyage

other

by

the

English,
things conspired

prevent her anticipated departure.

take the voyage,
really believed she should

That

to

in

Toulon.

While

victim

the
and

of

her

by

she

at

was

of

cause

to

her

severe

the

place

nursed

month
for

her

of

she

detention

side, and

mother

causing

summoned

to her

assiduous

Paris, and, in accordance

with

wishes, of

life,

several

ground,

left the

the

her

sittinggave

they

or

at

became

there

was

with

September

while

nearly ended

she
balcony in which
and
precipitated her to the
was
injuries. Hortense

way

is shown

Hortense,

Plombieres

that

accident

an

the

was

months.

In

written

letter

she

Bonaparte,

care.

wateringthe

gestions,
sug-

Josephine

sought out a desirable country property, to which

the
fatigues of
they might be able to retire from
Parisian
society. She finallypurchased the estate
of Malmaison,
the
near
village of Rueil, of M.
council
of ancients,
of the
Lecoulteux, a member
and
of 160,000 francs, partly
paid for it the sum
her
furnished
from
funds
dowry, and partly from
by Napoleon.
dition,
Malmaison, though at that time in very bad condence,
became
her
favorite
at once
place of resiand

life than

later

abode

at

received

endeavored

intimately associated

more

She

other.

any

Malmaison,

city-house
she

it is

the
to

most

maintain

Street.

At

distinguished
a

her

it and

her

both

places

company,

little court

of

her

up

took

once

alternating between

Chantereine

in

at

with

the

and
most

256

JOSEPHINE.

celebrated
in this

men

respect

and

women

has

been

M.

Bouilly,* who
of
St. Pierre,author
and Legouve, besides

of the
chronicled

^'

by
such

enumerates

Her

day.
a
as

success

rary,
contempoBernardin

Virginia,"Arnault,
ladies already familiar
the
to
She did not forget
and associates.
her friends
us
as
the perilswhich
her duties to her absent
nor
spouse,
of the Directory ;
the direction
him
from
threatened
old associations
with
in keeping up her
and it was
these

She

her

that

men

ably seconded

brothers

to

general

and

he

when

should

character

own

all the

attempts

the

popularity

maintain
to

and

Paul

prepare

the

return.

To

field

of

Napoleon's

of

for

this end

promised.
com-

was

the

absent

his
she

plowing
self
kept her-

en-rapport with the Directory, attended all their

all the
entertainments, and graced by her presence
official receptions. She
the
especially cultivated
Gohier, a
acquaintance and friendship of Madame
of the most
lady of austere virtue," wife of one
of the directors.
influential
It was
through her
of the plans
intimacy with her and her knowledge
of the Directory, that (it has been
parte
conceded) Bona'^

enabled

was

to

combat

and

overthrow

this

^'This
Egypt.
of repute, '*in spite of her
woman."
says a writer
frivolous appearance,
intrigued like an experienced
Without
diplomatist.
Josephine, it is probable
have
become
that Bonaparte would
never
Emperor.

same

Directory, on

It

was

his

from

return

in

vain

that

her

to talk

he

told

mes

Becapitulations,^^

not

...

^^Memoires

et

Souvenirs^

ou

258

JOSEPHINE.

house
to

an

he

whom

had

forbidden
with

rupture

open

her

to
In

her.

see,
a

he

came

of

moment

the house, and

the
passion he drove her from
gave
she was
that
not
to be remost
admitted.
positive orders
In despair, she
sought the house of a
de Chateau-Eenard,
who
finally
friend, Madame
unknown
back
parte,
in getting her
to Bonasucceeded
and who
persuaded him to show himself with
his wife in the Bois de Bologne that afternoon, and
thus stopped the scandal, which
was
rapidly spreading."

in

Josephine herself
everything, was

often

and

much

could

not

see,

^^

This

extraordinary
of a furiously jealous disposition;
did I suffer
from
his suspicions. I
:

says

I could

not

man,

receive

visits from

body,
any-

being subject to the most unfavorable

I shall always remember
those
interpretation.
shall I forget the tears I
journeys to Italy ; never
without

...

shed."
An

English author, whose

not
prejudices would
him
allow
of Napoleon, but
to take a liberal view
whose
estimates
not
of
are
warped to the extent
all with
whom
he was
connected, says
condemning
She is generally
of Josephine at this period :
I do not pretend to justify
charged with levity.
her altogether ; but she was
skilful enough to profit
of certain
by the weakness
generals, to attach them
She
cause.
more
thoroughly to her husband's
possessed the nicest tact ; her address was incredible,
to be gained for
partisans were
especially where
Bonaparte. She used the ladies of her court to dis*^

259

JOSEPHINE.

the

cem

Bonaparte
served,
who
.

never

was

so

was

her

and

memoirs),

adroitly
regime

drew

from
valued

most

secrets, which

well

so
woman

friend.

parties (as she frankly says

while
she
truly delighted in
in alleviatingsorrow,
and
she

of benevolence

works

and

prosperous,

word,

all

flattered

in

In
...

during the years he spent with the

always his best and most constant

as

She
.

particulars.

secret

most

noblesse

the
and

hitherto

of

were

of

the

the

ancienne

carefully guarded

utmost

assistance

to

Napoleon.
''She
and

the

was

great compensator

between

nobility

Bonaparte's stay in Egypt began

to weary
her, for she reallyloved the man,
although
she
had
begun to experience his despotism. She
his interests in France, and
managed
prevented a
menaced
them.
thousand
Indeed, it
dangers which
have
been
would
impossible for Napoleon to re-enter
attentive
and
not
an
France, had
vigilant wife
the
to avert
storm
which
was
managed
already
his head
in the port of Frejus."
gathering over
These
be assumed, the
quotations show us, it may
of Josephine in keeping in touch
motive
with members
of the Directory. There
have
been
some
may
people.

secret
have

and

reason,

alleged, a

liaison

of Barras.
of those

study,
an

and

event

that

it

was

all
this

have
her

been,
and

as

the

many
tary
secre-

respect for the opinion

matter

the

subject of

presuming to assert that

have
not
transpired, we would
extremely unlikely. There was

without

could

made

may

between

But, with

have

who

there

such
mit
subno

260

JOSEPHINE.

motive

such

for
that

tions.

She

course,

surrounded

of

in

in her

her, nor

the wife

was

either

the

the

stances
circum-

own

incHna-

famous

most

man

devotedly loved ; there had

Her
them.
been no rupture between
nature, while
not
it was
passionate ; and she
yielding, still was
She had,
was
no
longer in the heyday of youth.
in the young
amusement
doubtless, found
secretary,
the jeunesse
of the type known
who
as
a Parisian
was
and
taining
enterdoree, light and
frivolous, careless
of his

times

; she

was

sufficient

and
to her

did

she

for

have

attaching

that

reasons

him

to

her

seemed

society.
denied
that
It is not
Josephine was
vain, that
flattery was
acceptable to her, that she gratefully
of adulation.
In sooth, it had
inhaled the incense
become
to her existence,after having been
necessary
the recipient of such
attentions
few
of
as
women
her time had experienced.
be proven
that she was
But, it cannot
criminally
the charge made
against
culpable. Yet, this was
her, in Egypt, and which
Bonaparte first heard,
from
Junot, during the ill-fated Syrian expedition.
with
intimate
most
Bourrienne, who was
Napoleon
during the Egyptian campaign, has left us a vivid
of this affair,
which
narrative
took place in February,
of Messoudiah, on
1799.
Whilst
the wells
near
to El-Arish, I one
our
Bonaparte
day saw
way
often in the
walking along with Junot, as he was
habit
of
The
General's
countenance,
doing.
which
was
being able
always pale, had, without
my
usual.
to
divine
become
the
paler than
cause,
*^

261

JOSEPHINE.

There

something
in his look,

was

wildness

head

convulsive
and

he several

his features
times

"

struck

his

After

his hand.

with

in

conversing with Junot

about
a quarter of an
hour, he quitted him and came
I advanced
towards
towards
me.
him, and as
he exclaimed,
in an
met
soon
as
we
abrupt and
depend upon you.
tone, *So, I find I cannot
angry
had
loved
These
women
me
Josephine ! If you
...

"

"

would

you
from

Junot.

He

I six hundred

told

me.

Woe
of

divorce
"

them

know

have

me

his
had

is

It

"

!'

his

voice,

I will

all.

told

from

informed

As

drawn

into

thus

I knew

nothing

to consider

and
had

with

what

minds.

race

and

the

as

faults

some

burst,

reports.
facilitytales

I
I

were

clamations,
ex-

subject

situation

My

to

altered

that

any

yes,

write.

broken

saw

"

ought

and

...

of

Junot

he

and

had
was

degree of
replied that
begged him
fabricated

gossip such as that which

to him
was
only the amusement
and deserves
the contempt of strong
persons,
I spoke of his glory.

circulated,and
been
repeated

of idle

You

"

me

culpable indiscretion,

to this first
of the

to have

; I must

of

well

succeeded

"

divorce

countenance

if

calmness

energetic

Josephine had committed

cruelly exaggerated them.
of extreme
one
delicacy, but,
that

her

Junot.

And

the whole

fault.

too

heard

deceived

divorce

your

but

with

"

to

open

disturbed
me

have

Josephine
You
ought

"

exterminate

These

conversation
been

her.

all I have

me

real friend.

puppies.
public and

told

should

she
!

and

fops

is

leagues

That

"

to

this have

before

that

262

JOSEPHINE.

"

'

not

untrue

much

so

really guilty

submit

imbeciles

of

divorce

the

to be

Paris.

know

not

has

told

what

I would
should

me

be

Josephine. If she be
I
must
separate us forever.
the laughing-stock of all the
will write to Joseph ; he will

do

divorce

will not

get

I
My glory, cried he.
give, if that which Junot

love

"*

declared.'
brother

Joseph, a letter full of

J^ai heaucoup de
dolor and complaints, beginning
chagrins domestiques, and alluding, in veiled terms,
for glory, his disappointto the passing of his love
ments,
He

his

to

wrote

''

"

ennui.

and

It has

his

when
which

under

''

the

that
hour

declared,by writers

been

idea

had

he

of divorce

lived

to Josephine,
in the

germinated

unsealed

were

eyes

inimical

and

the

illusion

dispelled,"namely,
report of his wife's

was

receipt of this
that
alleged infidelity. It has also been claimed
until
true
to his wife
this
was
Napoleon himself
received
this news
caused
him
to
report was
; that
in

him

denied
also

he

in

the

that

bosom

is untrue, for his

consolation
of

of

whom
need

as

reported
For

Duchess

to

another

him

enamored.

d'Abrantes,"

the

of

wife

affair,

of Junot.

see

the

"

that

with

the

and

of

He

did

his

wife,

pretended friend, and

this

was

secret

command,

indiscretions

of

no

amour

open

deeply
by

version

It is

of his

the

excuse

an

of

which

family. But this

infidelityantedate

officer

an

seemed

he

his

acts

own

receipt of this information.

had
already carried on an

pretty wife

for

another

to

turn

the

at the

Egypt,

Memoirs

not
as

which
of

the

263

JOSEPHINE.

Bonaparte
was
begun

himself

was

in

slow

of

September

middle

the

''About

the

other

relates, and

Bourrienne

This

to believe.

previous, as

year

have

writers
of

amour

September
be brought

firmed.
con-

of this

to the
to
(1T98),Bonaparte ordered
half-a-dozen
Asiatic
of Elfy Bey
house
women,
whose
highly extolled ; but
beauty he had heard
their ungraceful obesity displeased him, and
they
A few
were
days after he
immediately dismissed.
fell violently in love with
Madame
Foures, the wife
of a lieutenant
of infantry. She
was
pretty, and
her charms
enhanced
were
by the rarity of seeing a
in Egypt who
calculated
to please the
woman
was
Bonaparte engaged a house for
eye of a European.
her
adjoining the palace. He frequently ordered
dinner
to be prepared there, and I used
to go there

year

with

him

This

at

o'clock,and leave him

seven

connection

became

soon

the

cause

of

of

the

enough to send him

keeping him prisoner."*

back

malicious

The

d' Abrantes

Duchesse

of

by Boumenne
Foures

she

lightly the
best

appears

feelings of

joke in the

this may

feeling

of delihim

gave

at Alexandria
Directory. He embarked
captured by the English, who,
ship was

informed

being

to the

and

of

Foures, the General-in-Chief

to M.

mission

general subject of

Through

gossip at headquarters.
cacy

the

at nine.

be

the

the

exi)ected from

between

amour

think

to

world.

in every

confirms

it

one

woman,
who

particular the story narrated

as

too, has
writes

so

were

Egypt, instead

honest

injured husband,

The

to

mission,

and

Bonaparte

an

was

his

love, and
though

her

it

were

sympathy

lightlyof

the

Mme.
treats

the
; but

ante-nup-

264

JOSEPHINE.

Were

this lamentable

not

should

we

in

implicating
futile

to

were

worse

than
he

one

that

ardent

so

cently
re-

passion.

of this defection

cause

foolish

ticated,
authen-

who

one

amour

and

pure

inquire the

It
; it

ascribe

it to the

ascribed

Josephine is
authenticity, in

to

actions

truly loved.

so

the many

Among
one

in

well

so

accept this statement,

to

disgraceful

were

of the

hesitate

absorbed

was

episode

bears

letters

evidence

every

of

to

sentiment.
It was
written
after the
style and
receipt of Napoleon's accusation, and goes far to set
her right in the opinion of honest
and
disinterested
individuals.
Can
it be possible,my
friend ;
is the letter indeed yours, which
I have just received
?
I give it credit,on
Scarcely can
comparison with
'^

those

others
so

gave

those

yours

could

have

before

now

many

that

pages

though

and

me,

charms.

But

which

rend

soul

my

dictated

to which

my

heart

my

refuses

to

doubt

cannot

eyes

are

admit

love

your

too
that

surely
yours

those

lines,which, to the ardent

caused
joy experienced on hearing from you, have
the mortal
to succeed
grief of reading the expressions
of displeasure, the more
that
afflictingto me
have
it must
of anguish to you.
proved a source
I am
wholly ignorant in what I have offended, to
'^

create

an

interrupting
tial

or

her

face.

determined
; but

"natural

moral

natural

before

yours

and

amours

obtuseness

so

enemy

surely, it

child"

obliquity that

indignation

at

to ruin

of
sees

Junot's

her

be

must

own

only with

repose

my

her

the
phine's
Jose-

amazement

flirtation with

grave
and

husband;

by

own

maid,

266

JOSEPHINE.

become

indifferent

all that

is

'^

Can

who

one

sweetens

delightful in passion
efface

ever

Hortense,

to

to

from

by

kindness
your
memory
my
and example to Eugene ?

counsel

your

existence

can
impossible, how
you
of being interested, for a single moment,
suspect me
in what
is alien to you.
friend, in place of
Oh, my
I
lending ear to imposters, who, from motives which
cannot
explain, seek to ruin our happiness, why do
them
rather
reduce
to silence,by a recital
not
you

If

this

appear

of

your

benefits

to

incurred

never

that

as

Since

to
the

hearing what
traducers

silent, since

whole

unhappy.
Every
the splendor of

the

?
.

shut

my

of you.

take

you
I bear

as

"

it has

as

in my

Europe, has,
poor

of the

band
hus-

I was,

and

but

and
I

adds

to

is such

longer

no

with

you

assert

the

every

one

is true

much

see

foremost

to be

in

and

I confess

doors

against

My
comprehend

admired

sinceritywell
contrary.

successes,

to you.

persuade you that

Yes, my
friend, I love
to those who
even
known,

love

strives

me,

name

to be seized to

^^It

of

step which

moment

of

has

ingratitude ? On
children, my
my
know
they must

deeper adoration

choice

made

character

attached

conduct,

your

throughout the
heart, but awakened

for

done

been

you

of

I first became

event,

who

whose

woman

suspicion

be

mother

that

have

you

would
a

you

male
your

complimenting
I have

any

visitors

daring

for

company,

one
are

not

who
very

achievements

the

me

on

your

resolution

comes

to

numerous

better

to

speak
; they
than

267

JOSEPHINE.

when
me.

find

they do not praise

Still,it is among
.

these

fail upon

Women

women.

subjects, and
they do not please

you

own

my

heart

and

to me,

were

that

sex

can

understanding I prefer
their friendship for you is sincere.
to all, because
Of these I place first the names
of Mmes.
d'AiguilThese
are
lon, Tallien,and my aunt.
intimates,
my
and they will tell you,
ungrateful as thou art, if I
have
thought of playing the coquette with all the
These
world.'
are
own
expressions, and they
your
whose

those

'

would

be odious

had

disavowed, and
having written them.
^'

I tremble
of

you,

did

ignorant,

to write

me

and

to

take

family and
destiny of
brave
so

Here

than

of the

are

you

for

sorry

dangers

that

round
sur-

I should

of which

reiterate

that

his

be

requests to

yourself to perils,
expose
of a life not only dear to your
care
which
friends, but upon
hangs the

more

your

to

brethren
who

I receive

honors

for, I

and

in arms,

could

fatigues while

embarrassment

certain

moment

half

Eugene
not

you

your

this

at

I think

more

not

followers

many
"

when

I not

have

under
which

courage

your

of

thousands
to endure

eye alone.

sometimes

cause

me

thorities,
authey displease our
who, always distrustful and apprehensive

see

regard
Disthe watch.
are
ever
on
losing their power,
will say ; but, my
these people, you
friend,
to hurt
they will endeavor
you ; they will accuse
I should
of seeking to lessen their power
; and
you
in aught to a jealousy which
grieve to contribute
shall
justify. When
triumphs sufficiently
you
your
of

268

JOSEPHINE.

heavens

with
laurels, good
return, covered
will they not do, if already they are
calculate

cannot

then

but
secure.

will

you

by

side, and

my

rack

will

resentment

their

be

the

on

stop

shall

feel

...

"I

am

of

thinking

ever

myself to the
now
plunged

time
in

when

you

I shall

see

the

at

sorrow

elapse before your

conclude, I begin again.
must

which
thus

of indifference
'*

where

! what

I wish

for

you

of

thought

the

; and

return

Are

hour

every

these

space
when

the

signs

?
others

none

on

I shall not

for me,

feel thus

transporting

now

part

your

think

; and

if you

myself altogether

object of pity, despite the small slanders which

credit respecting a certain
fain have
me
they would
fair one, who, they tell me, interests you deeply.
I doubt
should
? You
I am
assure
me
Why
you
I judge of you
beloved.
heart, and I
by my own
an

^^

"

believe
''

you

God

you

when

knows

it restore

; may

to have

never

to

you.
or

where

to you

foregone

; and

this letter may

reach

which

ought
give

repose
more

than

you
ever

that, while I live,you will

the day of our
last separation.
me
as
on
in me
Confide
Farewell, my only friend.
assurance

an

be

dear

''

me

"

receive

and

thousand

tender

"

love

caresses."

'^Josephine."

If this letter
he

could

after

But

reached
that

when,

Bonaparte,

have
like

any
a

credence

it is doubtful
in the

thunderbolt,

he

tion.
accusa-

launched

if

269

JOSEPHINE.

himself
reached

been

untrue

before

to
to

his

home

find

she

wished

his

mind
him

his

the

when

news

Frejus,
she

was

had
of

aware

to

him

see

She

afresh.

en

door

at
that

Not

and

missed
to

landed

because

poison
him,

meet

their

but

brothers,

should

they

hastened

her.

of

enmity

had

justly.

and
him

to

he

that

alarmed,

was

France

of

coast

Josephine

she

the

the

upon

route,
barred

and

against

turned
re-

270

JOSEPHINE.

XXII.

CHAPTEK

CONSULATE.

THE

turned
1799, that Louis Bonaparte refor
to France
bringing from Egypt good news
She
Josephine, of Napoleon and her son
Eugene.
had
for he
to feel proud of her
good reason
son,

It

had
and

in

was

borne
to

March,

himself

his

family,

Beauharnais,
He

in

had

and

manner

as

the

the

himself

creditable
of

son

step-son
taken

the Viscount

of the

one

to himself

of

de

parte.
great Bonathe

five

flags

captured at Malta ; he was at Bonaparte's side at the

active part in the
an
entry into Alexandria
; took
battle of the Pyramids ; and risked his life in Cairo.
In the Suez
trusted
enguard was
expedition the advance
ant's
to him, and
when, on the return, a lieutenbut eighteen
epaulet was
given him, he was
He
of age.
was
complimented by General
years
Berthier, at the same
time, for his bravery and
prudence. On the ill-starred Syrian expedition he
the
perilous reconnoissances, and was
who
only officer in the army
penetrated the Arab
and
obtained
lines in the valley of Jerusalem
a
glimpse of the Holy City. During the siege of Acre
he was
stunned
by the bursting of a bomb, and Bonamade

several

271

JOSEPHINE.

parte, who

him,

near

was

utterance

gave

alarm, believing him

grief and

Of

killed.

the

cry

of

eight

Egypt, four
wounded.
two
were
were
Eugene
killed, and
modest
with
bore
himself
a
air, always gay
ever
and
cheerful; he felt for his glorious chief an
that
affection
that
never
changed, a devotion
faltered
never
Bonaparte, on his side, was
; and
deeply attached to him.
At last,
going to see
Eugene, you are
your
mother."
with
The
boy's heart leaped
joy ; this
the news
that for long months
he had
was
anxiously
aides-de-camp

on

staff

to

Bonaparte's

in

*'

"

He

awaited.

had

the ovil

heard

reports from

France

it is said that

Napoleon had talked with him of the

of his mother
still loyal
alleged infidelity
; but, while
to his General, to his step-father, he yet defended
his mother,
with
a
boy's belief in her innocence.
He
to bring
that it was
was
sure
only necessary
he loved with
all
them
together, these two, whom
his soul, to effect a complete reconciliation.
The catastrophe of AbouSays Bourrienne.
^*

kir

like

came

Chief.

thunderbolt

upon

the

General-in-

In

and
fortitude
he
spiteof all his energy
was
now
deeply distressed by the disasters which
To the painful feelingsexcited by the
assailed him.
complaints and dejection of his companions-in-arms,
added
the irreparable misfortune
of the
was
now
the fatal consequences
burning of the fleet. He measured
of this event
now

and

cut
all

off

from

all

at

singleglance.

communication

We

with

hope of returning thither except by

were

France,
degrad-

272

JOSEPHINE.

capitulation with
Bonaparte had
enemy.
ing
his

conquest,

to

for

apply
*'

At

The

after

the very
the

did

aid of the

this

mother

first ebullition

of

be

bitter

disaster
was

fall
be-

about

country.
of Junot

communications
will

he

when

hated

preserving

indeed

was

moment

of Messoudiah

the

time

at what

imprudent

fountains

this

and

of

lost all chance

him

to

And

reflection.
him

and

implacable

an

at the

remembered

jealous

rage

; but

all traces

had

parte,
apparently disappeared. Bonastill harassed
however, was
by secret suspicion.
We
the capital before Josephine
reached
of the
recollection
returned.
The
past, the illnatured
reports of his brothers, and the exaggeration
of facts, had
irritated Napoleon to the very
he
received
highest pitch, and
Josephine with
air of the most
studied coldness, and with
cruel
an
of that

feeling

indifference.
for

three

had

He

no

communication

with

her

Eeflection, seconded
by his
affection
ardent
for Josephine, brought
about
a
After
these three days of
complete reconciliation.
their
conjugal misunderstanding
happiness was
afterwards
disturbed
never
by a similar cause."
at Frejus, Bonaparte's journey
landed
Having
from
that port to Paris
was
an
uninterrupted series
of ovations, and
he entered
the 16th of October
the
capital to the cries of '^Long live the Liberator of
France

days.

!"

from
days later, Josephine arrived
her fruitless journey, she found
herself debarred
his
All through the night she lay prostrate
presence.

When,

two

274

JOSEPHINE.

another

for man,

at that time
prevailed in France
it does
as
to-day. Although Bonaparte was
ileged
privand
to reproach, to accuse,
finally to magnanimously
not only close her
forgive,the wife must
but
must
infidelities,
again submit
eyes to his own
of the past ;
of them.
to be a victim
Egypt was
to be forthcoming.
but
other Cleopatras were
It
not long, in sooth, before Napoleon was
was
ing
indulgin a temporary
passion for an Italian singer, of
whom
he soon
tired, and who, some
later,
years
for the Duke
of Wellington."
"deployed her charms

Josephine, Bonaparte had hoped to draw

him
the old nobility of France, and
about
well to
as
in the ranks
of the Republicans.
disaffection
cause
of service
in this reTo
a
spect
great extent, she was
he later
and
saw
admitted, he
; though, as
her prospectiveinfluence
and
greatly overestimated
her former
standing with the rio6Zesse.
"Josephine
well qualified to play this role ; she had
the
was
ease, eloquence, and grace of manner
necessary
; was
exceptionallytactful in bestowing a gift or favor,
and had a charming fashion of receiving people, appearing
in every
But
her revat ease
olutionary
assemblage."
Through

affiliations
her

influence

and
those

after

her

with

the

death

were

at

first

nobility;
her

memory,

all her
was

drawback

to

life,indeed,
clouded

by

ately
immedi"revolutionary affiliations." It was
after their reconciliation,
that Bonaparte received
the most
signal proof of her affectionate
in promotinterest in his welfa,re and her influence

275

JOSEPHINE.

ing his

vast

schemes

known

that

his return

and

weeks

three

landing

before

long

not

than

at

And

it

Directory, that
; nay,

of

historians

the

intercourse

the

with

the

members

chiefest

of

accomplished

was

in

was

this

the

assistance

more,

without
have

Dictator.

as

his elevation

France

succeeded.

in power

ory
Direct-

the

overthrow

to

this

and

in the furtherance

was

elapsed between

Frejus

command.

have

to France

himself

establish

It is well

aggrandizement.

his determination

of

was

for

the

the

of

of

wife

it,some

was

of the

declared, he

his

supreme

overthrow

of his

; less

time

to

It

the

valuabl
in-

ablest

could

not

Josephine proved to him, then, that

she had
so
persistently maintained
of the Directory (and which
was
the accusations
against her), was

he was
absent
in
entirely in his interest ; while
have
Egypt she had, with a prescience that must
from
come
intuition, kept in touch with his enemies,
had
learned
and
not
only all their plans, but had
of thwarting
No
conceived
them.
means
sooner
had

the

kiss

of

reconciliation

confidence, than

mutual

the information

she

had

she

sealed

thoir

unfolded

to

pact of

her

lord

gained, during those long

she was
in semi-seclusion
separation, when
Malmaison.
lighted
at
astonished, deBonaparte was
he thought of
; perchance remorseful, when
phine
the injusticehe had
done her ; on the part of Josewas
tion.
naught but joy and purest self-abnegaMadame
Bonaparte," says a contemporary,
was
always of service to Bonaparte in his relations

days

of

^^

**

with

the

men

of

whom

he

wanted

to

make

use.

276

JOSEPHINE.

She

fascinated

her

exquisite

She

her, by
courtesy.

came

near

charming

and

grace

exercise

to

was

who

one

every

influence

direct

the

on

victims

of
the
coup-d^etat on
Barras,
accompHces
Gohier, Sieyes, Fouche, Moreau, and Talleyrand."
And
General
cealed
conNothing was
Segur :
says

and

"

"

the

of her

ready ingenuity

Bonaparte''s renewed
of this
of

weaving

at which

and

delicate

greatest service.

the

of

were

conference

every

she
and

discretion, gentleness, grace,

her

present,

was

In

her.

from

assertion

of

around

the web

her

the

She

justified

her."

confidence in

gence,
intelli-

cool

As

firmatory
con-

in the

assistance
doomed

Directors,
her letter to the incorruptible Gohier
will be given.
but
It was
a
part of Bonaparte's scheme, to draw
Gohier
from
his allegiance.
away
.

*'

"

My
*'

not

to you
"

ITth Brumaire, Year

and

you

wife

your

eight ? Do not
interesting things

many

Believe

me,
'^

"

Gohier

Madame
her
the

us

with

; there

I should

us

are

like to

talk

Gohier."

dear

my
'*

on

VIII.

about.

Good-bye,

warn

breakfast
fail

at

to-morrow,

good

Gohier.

dear

Will

husband

eventful

La-Pagerie

went,
"

but

morning

always,
Sincerely yours,

saw
was

Bonaparte."

the

trap, returned

too

of the

late.

18th

That

Brumaire,

to
was

the

277

JOSEPHINE.

events
gave

changed the destinies of France,

of Napoleon the reins of governinto the hands
ment,
of

which

him
the power
that eventuallyupon
of all France.
The
master
particulars of

bestowed
him

made
the

fateful

France.

overturn

The

of

part

are

event

was

in

Bonaparte,

the

of

the

pivotal point
destinies

of

history
in the

of

unes
fort-

France,

of

Europe, of the world.

of the recreant
Bonaparte had indignantly demanded
have you done
rulers of the Kepublic : ^'What
I left so splendid ?
which
I left
with
that France
I left you
at war
victory,
;
you peace, and find you
I left you
I find defeats
the spoilsof Italy,
and
;
and I find everywhere oppression and misery.
What
have

with

done

you
whom

you

the

knew,

hundred
and

thousand

men,
French-

all of them

panions
com-

my

"

in

glory ?
which
The
to be
was
parts of the great drama
well
enacted
were
distributed," says his secretary,
Bourrienne.
During the three days preceding the
at his post. Lucien, with equal
18th, everybody was
the conspiracy
activity and intelligence,forwarded
in the two
councils.
Sieyes had the management
There
of the Directory.
time
to lose ;
was
no
said to me, on the fourteenth, Tell your
and Fouche
General
to be speedy ; if he delays he is lost.'
of the 18th found
He did not delay ; the morning
of enemies
him
in peril,in the midst
; the close of
him
cess
combating them with prospect of sucday saw
his triumph.
; the night witnessed
At three in the morning I accompanied Bona'^

"

'

"

"

278

JOSEPHINE.

parte in his carriage to

fatigued, after so many
before

opened

and

him,
the

journey.

the

Eue

de

chamber

than

'

I like

had

to

'

her

'Not
to

speak

was

at his house
entered

sooner

no

in

his

Josephine,who
of the greatest anxiety,
Bourrienne, I said many
so
bad. General.'
very
soldiers than
to lawyers.

disconcerted
assemblies

public

future

new

arrived

he

state

extremely

was

sorbed
thought completely abutter a single word
during

good-morning

wished

fellows
to

Victoire, he

better

Those
used

when

things?'

ridiculous

trials.

; this

bed, and in
said, before

he

He

he did not
But

la

and

in

was

him

Paris.

to

me.

but

that

have

not

will

come

been
in

time.'
in

''Back
"

for

the

where

Italy

he

and

little house
was

in

Eue

de

he

had

whence

married,

Egypt,

the

he

whither

la Victoire
started

had

turned
always rehe
kissed
victorious
told
Josephine, and
Then
he rested for
her all the incidents of the day.
hours, and woke up in the morning, the master
a few
"

and

of Paris

of France."

The

the
9th
coup-d^etat was
accomplished on
and
10th of October, 1799 : a provisionary consulate
was
formed, consisting of Bonaparte, Sieyes, and
took
the place of the old Directory.
Eoger Ducos, who
The

themselves

General
in

and

his

wife

the

soon

established

where
first Josephine
Luxembourg,
of the people which
experienced that homage
ended
It was
at the Luxembourg,
only with her death.
in the salons of which
the adorable Josephine
the word Madame
so well performed the honors, that
"

279

JOSEPHINE.

This
first return
to the
old
again into use.
French
startling to some
politeness was
susceptible
carried
farther at the
republicans ; but things were
of Voire
Tuileries
Altesse, on
by the introduction
of state and
occasions
and Monseigneur
ceremony,
in the family circle."
A change was
and the pliant Josephine
to occur,
selected by her husband
in bringing
to assist him
was
it about.
Most
ably she assisted him, and without
came

her

he

Stern

would

have

not

republicanism
of the

customs

been

capable

before

to bow

was

ancient

court, and

recrudescence

effectingit.

of

the

ing
innovat-

Paris

to

was

royalty ; not at first

in name,
in essence.
but
Bonaparte, if we
may
of his secretary, entertained
accept the statements
of the
of the
a
profound dishke
sanguinary men
Eevolution, and especially of the regicides; while
towards
ever
royalty.
Josephine's inclinations were
experience

The

^^

new

Constitution

Consul
The

third.

with
end

of which

decade

the

found

of the year

; in December

promulgated
First

of

most

strong

this

had

been

horrible
hand

Bonaparte

Cambaceres

of

VIII."

was

declared

was

second

soon

and

Lebrun

century, the last

prised
steeped in blood, had comhistory,
chapter in French

eventful

at the

helm

of power

and

ised
prom-

long-lost prosperity. Napoleon's

the 9th
of the Ancients, on
speech to the Council
of happier
of November,
'99, presaged a recurrence
Let us not seek
days to this distracted country :
that
retard
in the past examples
our
ress.
progmay
the close of the
Nothing in history resembles
a

return

of

"

280

JOSEPHE^E.

eighteenth century ; nothing in the close of the

the present moment
!
eighteenth century resembles
true
We
demand
a Eepublic, founded
liberty.
upon
We
it !
will have it, I swear
The Tuileries was
assigned to the First Consul as
the 18th
of February,
a place of residence, and
on
effected in great state, from
was
1800, the transfer
the Luxembourg
had been the
to that palace which
XVI.
and
his queen.
abode
of Louis
Upon its
the
word
walls
Eepublic" was
written, that the
at the prospect of their
people might not take alarm
Consul
dwelling in a royal residence,yet, at the very
first receptionheld
there
visible the difference
was
between
monarchical
republican simplicity and
etiquette.
After the grand procession to the Tuileries,Bonaparte
"

"

*'

his

mounted

Josephine and
a

little court

the windows

banquet and
the

women,

and

reviewed

the

troops.

her

friends,who
already constituted
about
her, viewing the spectaclefrom
of the palace. That
evening, at the
the grand reception,the most
beautiful
most

to the

homage

horse

famous

conqueror

of

France

assembled
and

to

do

his consort.

presentation, and a good

beginning of the road to royalty. Josephine, as
all who
her by her grace
and
saw
usual, charmed
she appeared, leaning
affability,from the moment
of Foreign Affairs,to the
the arm
of the Minister
on
of her
moment
unexampled
departure, after an
the
prejudices and passions of that
triumph over
mixed
assemblage, where republicanism for the first
It

was

veritable

men,

court

282

JOSEPHINE.

that this

tell them
its

pedestal the

magnificent
of

corpse

column

have

Consul

First

the

would

"

as

The

arrested, and the next night

frontier.
the
sent
over
Although
Bonaparte was
her
entertain
friends
willing that Josephine should
be understood
that it should
of the aristocracy,and
at all times, yet he
that she was
to them
accessible
be made
did
she should
not choose
a cat's-paw for
the connecting link between
the
royalty. She was
useful
in the
old regime and the new
most
; she was
pretty Duchess

scheme

had

he

was

formed

for

the

fusion

of

the

republicanism ; but could not be

him
from
his allegiance to
himself.

with
swerve

"

this

built

not

royalism

that

he

although

to their

friends.

It

the

they

strong centralization
filled France

with

the

careful

was

royalists were
clearlyBonaparte would
this

for

great structure

undeceived

; that

to

He

to let it

till after

turn

used

to

had
of

occupancy

not

was

racy
aristoc-

his

so

pear
ap-

Marengo
they saw
account

own

his power
; and
assassins and spies.
of

then

The world
hope perished at Marengo.
startled by this achievement
the Great
was
: when
Saint Bernard
was
scaled, the mighty Alps crossed
in safety, and
the armies
hurled
of Napoleon
upon
assembled
the
the Austrians
on
plains of Italy.
Their

last

'^The

incredible

difficdltiesit presented did

not

Bonaparte's troops. His generals,

accustomed
as
they had been to brave fatigue
and danger, regarded without
the gigantic
concern
Hannibal.
What
enterprise of the modern

daunt

the

of

courage

little time

and

how

few

events

sometimes

suffice

283

JOSEPHINE.

left Milan
destiny of nations ! We
the 14th, and
of June, Marengo was
on
ities
A suspension of hostilours.
Italy was

the

to

change

on

the

13th

on

the

15th

the

and

of

of

armies

Austrian

single battle

convention, concluded

Melas,

places

of

result

immediate

virtue

and

the French

between

between

was

; and

by

Berthier

possessionof all the fortified

importance, with the exception of

resumed

we

any

Mantua.
''After

return

our

general and
higher and middle
the

First

affection

Consul
did

was

he

the battle

the

popular joy

the
only among
ranks of society,but in all classes ;
evinced
from
all quarters to the
cerity
unfeigned. In what a tone of sinto me
one
returning
day, when

heartfelt, not

was

and

from

say
'

mations
parade : Bourrienne, do you hear the acclaThat
noise is as sweet
still resounding ?
to
the sound
How
as
me
of Josephine's voice.
happy
and proud I am
to be loved
by such a people !'
in November,
Moreau's
victory of Hohenlinden,
of
was
Austria, who
completed the humiliation
from

"

forced

with
The

to

sue

for peace

and

to

break

her

alliance

England.
first year

of the

Bonaparte
century saw
had
in possession of nearly all the territoryFrance
in Egjrpt,and his arms
lost during his absence
where
everyHe was
firmly established in the
triumphant.
needed
of the French, and if anything were
hearts
in the attempt of
their affection it came
to cement
the
the
royalist conspirators to destroy him, on
twenty-fourth of December, 1800.
new

'

284

JOSEPHINB.

On

the

evening of this day the first performance

of Haydn's Oratorio, the '^Creation," took place at
the

The

opera.

had

First Consul

announced

his intention

being present, and at the appointed hour

set out in a carriage, with
some
bers
friends,memof his staff ; while Josephine, who
low
to folwas
detained
trivial
by some
immediately after, was
of

he

detention

This

circumstance.

saved

their

lives ;

as

the "infernal
they had a narrow
escape,
called, being exploded between
machine," as it was
the carriage of the First Consul
and her own.
The
in the shape of a watering-cart,
engine of death was
loaded
with explosives,and of such a deadly character
it was,

that
houses

the

street

destroyed,

tense, who

in which
and

in the

was

many

it stood
persons

carriage with

was

wrecked,

killed.

Hor-

Josephine,

was

the theater
with
by flying glass, and entered
The
blood flowing from
her cheek.
most
escape was
miraculous
the two
carriages been together,
; had
cut

blown
to atoms.
have
been
party would
entered his box
Arrived
at the theater, Bonaparte
with composure,
tenance
only the deadly pallor of his counhad
curred.
ocshowing that anything untoward
for his wife, and
His only anxiety was
as
his aide-de-camp entered, some
minutes
ing
later,havto inquire as
to her
safety, the word
gone
his lips. Her appearance
on
Josephine ? trembled
his attention
reassured
to
him, and he then gave
the play. The
noise of the explosion startled the
in attendance, and soon
audience
the truth
immense
the whole

' '

was

"

disseminated

; every

eye

was

directed

to the

box

285

JOSEPHINE.

where

the First

sat

thousand

two

throats

idol,that
of their

and

his

his wife, and

cries

came

testimonial

spontaneous

Consul

enemies

that

of

should

and

joy

he

tion
affec-

the

was

feel

from

the

ular
pop-

weight

vengeance.
had

to
coolly remarked
assured
of the
safety of

Bonaparte
when

''Those

rascals

tried

blow

to

me

his

camp,
aide-de-

his

family :
a
bring me

up;

lx)ok

of

the

time

to

trail

of

the
elapse before setting the police upon
the
conspirators, and, though indifferent

to

Oratorio."

death, he

and

was

relentless
to make

was

aroused

But

rendered

he

did

furious

not

the

at

allow

any

continued

He
solved
repersecution of his enemies.
an
example of them ; the lion in him
he pursued and hunted
out with
them

of
that
allowed
tenacity of purpose
One
by one, they were
brought to answer
of them
crimes, and most
perished upon
a

no

escape.
for

their

the

fold.
scaf-

leon
During the succeeding four or five years, Napoall
hardly left the soil of France, but devoted
his energies to the repairing of the terrible ravages
made

by

so

many

1801, by the
left bank

the

of

Austrian

years

of

war

treaty of Luneville
the Khine

was

Netherlands,

During

that

year

and

Germany,

with

secured
and

civil strife.

to

Venice

treaties

were

In

the

France, also
was

tioned.
parti-

concluded

varia,
Spain, with Naples, with the Pope, with Banally,
Portugal, Russia, Turkey, and Algiers. Fideclared
by the treaty of Amiens, peace was
and
between
France
England, and the First Con-

with

286

josBPHms.

later, in May,

years

^^

the title of the

earned

sul well

1803,

broke

again

war

Two
out

Senate

; the

France

and

England

Pacificator."

tween
be-

ately
immedi-

place 120,000 conscripts at the First

made
Consul's
were
orders, and preparations for war
scale.
vast
Meanwhile, in the year 1801, had
on
a
the disastrous
occurred
expedition to Santo Domingo,
General
Leclerc, Bonaparte's brother-inby which
the flower of the French
law, and 20,000 men,
army,
voted

to

lost.

were

In

1802, Bonaparte
he

life, and
of his

stood

last

at

Consul

proclaimed

was

alone

the

upon

for

pinnacle

glory.

Another

bearing hard
drawing upon her

event

France, and
world, was

the

Concordat

Catholic

Eoman
It is not

religiousmotives
and

the

was

restored

Consul

much

so

event,

destinies

observation

Eome,

the

that

the

with

religion

claimed

the

upon

of the

which

by

in

of

the

France.

actuated

was

by

tives,
by political. His moclearly stated by Bour-

as

are

rienne.*

"

Relating

to

Imperial decree,

"

vent

I will tell you

him

succeed
make

spite on

my

France

"Sire,
in
and

a
see

Vendee,
even

in
what

great towns,

cliange

Comte

de

what

this

I will

proposition of Bonaparte

and

country,

*'

the

make

Protestant

nearly all
little
is of the

of

the

great

that

of
the

religion remains
Roman

tell you

as

how

dotards

I will

who

of Luther

may
I will

"

..."

way

West,

"

Pope, and
as

country.

the

an

"

schism

diflficulties in the

testant
Pro-

do, Narbonne,

fool

religion of 30,000,000 people by

^S'arbonne

I will
old

the

France

to make

church."

this

French
among

project.
are

us,

In

the

South,

bigoted Catholics,
in

our

cities

and

287

JOSBPHIKB.

On

the

were

vague.

very

the

memory

the

soul.

religion Bonaparte's ideas

The
in
perpetuity of a name
the immortality of
to him
was
towards
perfectly tolerant
every
of

subject
of
He

man

was

religiousfaith.
The
First
Consul, taking a superior view of the
that the re-establishment
state of France, considered
of religiousworship would
a powerful support
prove
and
he had
been
to his government,
occupied, ever
since
the
of 1801, in preparing a
commencement
concordat
with
the Pope.
It was
signed in July of
of

variety

the

same

year.

the

cathedral

solemn

Te Deum

was

...

of

Notre

chanted

Sunday, the
11th
of April. The
crowd
was
immense, and the
mony,
greater part of those present stood during the cerewhich
was
splendid in the extreme
; but who
would
to say that the general feeling was
presume
in harmony
with
all this pomp
?
The
Court
in general, extremely
Consular
was,
irreligious; nor could it be expected to be otherwise,
being composed chieflyof those who had assisted in
of all religiousworship in France,
the annihilation
and
of men
who, having passed their lives in camps,
had
oftener
entered
in Italy to carry off a
a church
the road
On
!
painting, than to hear the mass
from
the
Tuileries
to Notre
Lannes
and
Dame,
to alight from
wanted
the carriage, as
Augereau
at

Dame,

on

"

Never

portion
"

to

mind, Narbonne,

of the

Sire,
stand

am

French
afraid

division."

people
that

mind

never

with

there

me

is not

"

"

I shall

I will make

enough

at

least carry
a

large

division."

religion in

all France

288

JOSEPHINE.

they

as

soon

that

saw

they

driven

being

were

to

required an order from the First Consul

to prevent their doing so.
They went, therefore,to
and
the
next
Notre
day Bonaparte asked
Dame,
Oh,
Augereau what he thought of the ceremony.
there
it was
all very
fine," replied the General;
of men
was
nothing wanting, except the million
of what
have
who
perished in the pulling down
you
Josephine, although sharing with
are
setting up !
Bonaparte his views on religiousquestions, that is,
the
on
deep convictions
subject, yet
having no
the rood-loft
of Notre
Dame
graced by her presence
during the impressive ceremonial.
In 1803 the civil code was
ment
proclaimed, that monuof Napoleon, which
to the genius and
energy
later was
Code
perfected, and proclaimed as the
his great mind
Napoleon." Thus these years saw
working in the interests of peace, of religion,of the
and

mass,

it

^'

^*

"

^'

establishment

of the

law.

period of his
shared

and
still

him

with

had
desire

career,

the

not

him,
taken

to found

and

people.
if the

desire

possession

throne

and

the most

was

ising
prom-

his

happy consort
tented
regard of a con-

affectionate

prosperous

pursued

This

If ambition
for
of

had

not

universal

his

perpetuate

if the

mind,
his

quest
con-

successes

blood,
by a direct heir of his own
had
different
would
how
not filled his heart, then
be the record of his subsequent achievements
!
On
named
the day in which
Consul
for
Bonaparte was
his secretary, Bourrienne
the
:
life, says
principalapartments of the Tuileries presented the
in his

own

name,

^'

290

JOSEPHINE.

paying their
to protect, and
It
found

herself

and

apartment

who
on

time

same

to

to

Josephine.

confer

with

keen

sought
used

to

Women
.

pleasure

after

come

to

receive
that

on

the
her

old

band,
hus-

her, in her
Tuileries,at

ground-floor of the
boasting that they had never
staircase of the palace.
the

ness.
kind-

Josephine

before
call

to

of

hy people
bow

like

than

rather

still refused

who

regime,

the

was

court

set foot

As
for
grand
at her ease
than
in
never
more
Josephine, she was
she felt a
the society of the emigres, for with them
has
said
Thiers
harmony of ideas and hopes.
them
crushed
that she ought rather to have
beneath
could
the weight of her pride ; but how
she have
shared
their feelings,their
done
she had
this, when
grief,their sufferings,and but for the ninth Therhave
died on
the guillotine?
midor
would
A pretty picture exists of Josephine as
she appeared
at this
time, in 1803, at the wedding of
and the Prince Borghese.
Pauline, Bonaparte's sister,
''"With
her short sleeves,bare
and
her
arms,
of which
hair enclosed in a gilt net, the meshes
met
her forehead, she looked
like a Greek
statue.
on
First Consul
led her to a mirror, that he might
The
her on all sides at once, and, kissing her shoulder,
see
said :
Ah, Josephine, I shall be jealous ; you have
beautiful
so
some
are
Why
plan in your head.
you
in white,
'I know
that you like to see me
to-day ?
is all.'
dress ; that
and so I put on
a white
Well,
if you
did it to please me,
have succeeded,' and
you
he kissed her again."
the

on

"

'

291

JOSEPHINE.

The

same

1803, witnessed

year,

the

triumphal
France,

Napoleon and his consort across

and
the immense
to Boulogne, where
flotilla and
descent
armament
were
gathered for the threatened
the English coast.
They were
everywhere
upon
received
with
acclamation, at all points welcomed
convinced
with
to Paris
enthusiasm, and returned
of the entire love and
confidence
of their subjects.
even
For, subjects they were,
though the imperial
had not been assumed.
The shadows
crown
ening
lengththe field of war
on
bition,
portended an imperial amthe more
rigorous etiquette of their court at
the Tuilerios, augured a return
to royalty.
In
order
seek
benefit
from
the
to
waters,
Josephine went to Plombieres, while Napoleon rested
which
awhile
at Malmaison,
from
retreat he wrote
his wife the following charming
letters :
of

journey

"

"

We

daughter
of

honors
as

on

the

kiss
'^

the
first

of

June

love.

I received
.

with
but

the

sweet

able
ami-

love

letter,sweet

your

pain that
few
days

beg you

and

messages

-"

thine.

Always

Josephine. I see
the journey ;
on
well again.
you
"

1803.

the

here, although

thousand

23d.

than

June,

Bonaparte), does the

house
I love you
marvellously well.
are
day, because
good and loving
you

is truer

Louis

(Mme.

all else.

above

dull

somewhat

are

11th

Malmaison,

have

you
of

rest

to believe

I have

for

my

little

suffered
will

that

make

nothing

little Josephine.

292

JOSEPHINE.

June
tells

..."

27th.
that

me

you

Your

letter,

not

are

dear

little

Corvisart

well.

wife,

says

that

sired
good sign, and that the baths will have the deeffect.
that you
are
Still,to know
suffering
Thine
for life.
heart.
a pain at
gives me
my
of your
do
write
not
"You
me
July 1st.
I see that you
health, nor of the effect of the baths.
That
will be a
are
expecting to return in a week.
is tired of
husband, who
great pleasure to your
I beg, that
I love
Believe
being alone.
me,
you,
and
am
impatient to see you again. Everything
very
is

"

is sad

here

without

you.

"Napoleon."

baths

The

of

Plombieres

effect,"and
that

hope
In
The

the

an

heir could

meantime

Bourbon

both

did

husband

and

be born

their enemies

conspirators

not

have
wife

of their
were

"the

sired
de-

abandoned
union.

not

inactive.

in
swarming
Pichegru, Moreau,
were

the

the
capital ; the arrest of
Chouan
succeeded
Cadoudal, was
by that highhanded
capture of the Duke
d'Enghien on neutral
in
incarceration
the
territory. His
arrest, the
citadel of Strasbourg, and
ecution
exfinally his summary
in the moat
of Vincennes, form
of the
one
darkest episodes of Bonaparte's career.
The murder
very

of the
all the

last of the

Condes

was

blot

upon

his shield

subsequent glory of repeated victories could

not erase.
driven to desperation
Yet, Napoleon was
his
by the repeated attempts of the Bourbons
upon
life ; he would
give them a terrible warning, that

293

JOSEPHINE.

sacred

prevent him from achieving

his destiny,even
though through pools of royal blood.
"It is not difficult,"writes one, of this dark period,
life

no

'Ho
her

picture
husband

heart.
of the

did

to

the distress
herself

and

of

Josephine,
beset

so

not

With

tremor.

lose her

head

; she

she

saw

perils. But,
kept up a good
the evening
on

experience of danger, she

In the Eeign of Terror, and
infernal
seen
machine, she had

without

when

with

her

with

her

too

was

all her

death

near

she

anxiety,

continued

to be

amiable

kindly, appeasing and advising her husband.

Unfortunately for Napoleon, he refused to listen to
trol
Josephine ; in his exasperation he lost all self-conterrible,to strike
; he yearned to do something
He
his
some
represented vengeance,
strong blow.
At
the Tuileries, there was
wife forgiveness.
a
and pity."
struggle between
anger
In this connection, the testimony of a witness
to
Josephine's agitation is of value :
'Bourrienne,'" exclaimed
Josephine, as soon
as
what
event.
Did
she perceived me,
a dreadful
the state of mind
but know
Bonaparte is in !
you
of every
He
one.
avoids, he dreads, the presence
Who
could have suggested such an act as this ?
for I did everyrest upon
But
no
reproach can
me,
thing
and

...

'^

'

to

dissuade

him

from

this

dreadful

project.
did not confide the secret to me,
He
but I guessed it,
How
and he acknowledged all.
harshly he repelled
I threw
entreaties ! I clung to him.
myself
my
Meddle
with
what
at his feet.
concerns
you,' he
This is not
exclaimed
busia woman's
angrily.
'

'

294

JOSEPHINE.

Leave

ness.

violence

!'

me

he

which

! what

Heavens
This

will

never

your

little

of

What

of

become

that

and

has

the

emotions

with

to share

of

her

In

of

and

sacrifice

the

the

in

that

would

the

be

soon

highest honors

bestow?

of the

mighty

Thibadeau

At

court

current

by all the illusions of

alarm
pursued by the wildest
forebodings. Indeed, Madame
blinded

foresaw

she

Europe, everything conspired

rights of the people in favor

Consul.

First

resisted

supreme

in his Memoirs.

France

for the

as

Josephine, seeing the

husband

^^

Josephine

grateful people could

said

towards

France.
were

"

consummation

approaching event, knowing

raised

?'

us

before
March, 1804, only three months
declared
There
was
Emperor of France.
time
for gloomy
reflection ; events
were

their
hastening towards
of Napoleon
the crowning
rulers

with
a
repulsed me
displayed since our
from
return
Egypt.

in

was

Napoleon
was

he

had

after

interview

first

And

her

fall in

her

one

she

still

woman

alone

She

greatness.

not

was

was

the

and

gloomiest
Bonaparte perhaps

husband's

elevation

to the

in woman
instinct, which
often takes the place of perspicacity,prevented her
horror
the
a
man
seeing without
reigning over
ruins of the republic, who
owed
to the republic his
greatness and glory."
The
Duchess
d'Abrante's,who, like Bourrienne,
throne

was

and

; but

delicate

intimately acquainted with

a

witness

of the

scenes

Madame

antecedent

Bonaparte,
to the

corona-

295

JOSEPHINE.

tion,writes, in her Memoirs

no
gloomy presentiments,
in
She was
or
Napoleon.

'^

either

as

Josephine had
regarded herself

excellent

spirits,and told
had
that morning
made
her
that the emperor
me
which
to place on
next
day he was
try on the crown
her
of

head

in the

It would

in

seem,

of

possessed
enabled

mentioned

she

joy when

her

that

And

of France.

eyes

fact, that
the

shed

tears

this."

perspicacity or

to foretell

she

not
Josephine was
prescience, which

disastrous

termination

of

the

have
had some
empire ; though she may
strong
of her
husband
would
suspicion that the elevation
the
have
effect
of increasing his ambitions
and
himself
reflect unhappily upon
herself.
Bourrienne
says.

to me
"Josephine, whose
susceptibilityappears
sentiments
even
now
excusable, well knew
on
my
the subject of Bonaparte's founding a dynasty.
I remember
that one
day, after the publication of the
phine,
Bonaparte, Joseparallel of Caesar, Cromwell, and
cabinet
without
our
being
having entered
self
announced, approached Bonaparte softly,seated herhis knee, passed her hand
on
gently through his
his face, and
said to him, in a burst
hair and
over
I entreat
of tenderness
:
you, Bonaparte, do not
Lucien
It is that wretch
make
yourself a king.
.

'

...

who

urges

you

to it.

Do

not

listen

"

to him.'

ing
smilBonaparte repliedwithout anger, and even
You
he pronounced the words,
are
mad, my
as
of the
old dowagers
Josephine. It is your
poor
all these
tell you
St. Germain,
who
Faubourg
'

296

JOSEPHXNE.

fables.

Come,
.

now,

interrupt

you

me

leave

me

alone.'
"

I said

has

to

much

so

Madame,
you
"

her,

but

really

believe

will

be

made

Queen

and

Consul
said

is
to

himself
Bourrienne.'"

all

me.

king.

desire.

Try
He

Say
and
has

to

much

for

sorry

in

allowed

prevent
so

am

Europe

of

spite

it,

self,
your-

Empress.'

or

continue

always

may

that,

far

in

sovereign

to

me

'

from
wife

him

all
him

Bour-

thoughts.
of

that
from

confidence

out
withwords

God,

My
my

the

speak
the

pronounced

exclaimed
is

ambition

No

has.

when
she

Empress

such
I

had

but

interruption,

That

he

Bonaparte

rienne,

as

power

Madame

Queen

'

day

one

First

the

have

you

making
in

you,

298

JOSEPHINE.

the

galleries round

handsomest

the
whom

women

produce,

and

of their

beauty

choir

of

most

that

best

company

could

rivaled

in

luster

the

whom

the

which

jewels with

of the

the

filled with

were

they

covered.

were

*^His

Holiness

tribune
choir

which

had

; there

of the

end

heard
"

They
they then

in

The

short

the

for

side

one

facing the choir, where

said by the Pope.

was

offering, and

the

from

the

the

procession to
and
Empress,

platform

receive

the

press.
Em-

there

prayer
on

at

of the

church

descended

walked

and

middle

in the

themselves

to make

went

on

Emperor

seated

which

mass,

the

meet

placed

another

saying

returned, and
the

been

was

After

to

went

they

throne

at

they

came

back

of the

throne

holy

unction.

on
reaching the choir,
Emperor
the
at their
tribunes, where
replaced themselves
Pope performed the ceremony.
"He
who
to the Emperor,
presented the crown

received

it himself

it,put

off, placed it

again,

and

first.

that

on

laid

it

smaller

the

head

of

had

been

made

her

ladies

on
one

the

of
the

upon
the

Empress.

beforehand

"

went

where

cushion

was

thither, at the

head, took

Empress,

immediately
All
; she

done
everything was
nobody perceived the substitution
place.
The
back
to
procession moved
heard
there the Emperor
the
Te
himself

his

the

removed
it

it
at

was

put

upon

arrangements
surrounded

was

in

it

which

moment,
had

by
and
taken

platform, and
The Pope
Deum.
of the service,
conclusion
the

299

JOSEPHINE.

if to

as

Ite

say

presented to the
and
pronounced
sacred

The

est.

Emperor, who
his oath, with

Testament
took

was

off his

his hand

glove,
the

upon

book.

^^He
same

back

went
he

way

The

missa

had

when

very

different

the

come,

was

ceremony

by

to

archbishop's palace by the

and
entered
his carriage.
turned
long ; the procession reit

route, and

was

getting dusk

Emperor arrived at the Tuileries."

The ceremony," saysMme.
another
de Eemusat,
the spectators, ^^was
grand and impressive. A
the

''

of

of admiration

general movement

was

noticed

at the

She was
crowned.
Empress was
towards
so
unaffected, so graceful, as she advanced
the
such
with
altar, she knelt
simple elegance,
that
all eyes
were
delighted with the picture she
presented.
when

moment

*'

When,

the

to

her

the

however,

throne, there

she

had

was

sisters-in-law,who,

brother, carried

slighted,they
that

observed

her

at

the altar

of their

order

mantle.

one

from

slight altercation

by

their

bore

to walk

Feeling
with

burden
moment

imperial

themselves

such
the

with

ill-grace
new-made

a
Empress could not advance
Emperor
step. The
perceived this,and spoke a few short sharp words to
his sisters,which
to reason."
speedily brought them
Perhaps the happiest description of Josephine's
is from
ceremonies
participation in the coronation
d' Abrantes,
the pen of another
witness, the Duchess

who
''

says
When

the

moment

arrived

for

Josephine

to take

300

JOSEPHINE.

active

an

from

the

part

in

the
and

throne

grand drama,

she

towards

advanced

descended
the

altar,

her, followed
by her
Emperor awaited
retinue of court ladies,and having her train borne by
Louis.
Princesses
the
Caroline, Julie, Eliza, and
of the Empress
One of the chief beauties
Josephine
not merely her fine figure, but the elegant turn
was
she
in which
carried her
the way
of her neck, and
head
conaltogether was
; indeed, her deportment
I have
the
had
sfpicuous for dignity and
grace.
real princesses
honor
of being presented to many
Saint Germain
the phrase of the Faubourg
to use
but I never
saw
one
who, to my
presented so
eyes,
perfect a personificationof elegance and majesty.
the

where

"

"

''

an

when

In

air

I could
read the conviction
Napoleon's countenance
of all I have
He
looked
with
just said.
of complacency
she advanced
at the Empress, as
him
when
she
towards
knelt down,
; and
the

tears

which

she could

not

repress

fell upon

her

raised to Heaven, or
clasped hands, as they were
rather
to Napoleon,
both
then
appeared to enjoy
of those fleetingmoments
of pure
one
felicitywhich
to fill up
are
serve
a
unique in a lifetime, and
of years.
The
lustrum
Emperor
performed with
peculiar grace every action required of him during
the ceremony
of crowning Josephine
; but his manner
remarkable
most
was
; after receiving the small
surmounted
crown
by the cross, he had first to place
it on his own
head, and then to transfer it to that of
the Empress.
When
the moment
arrived
for placing
"

the

crown

on

the

head

of the

woman

whom

popular

Napoleon

at

Malmaison

Sol

JOSEPHINE.

superstitionregarded
almost
was
playful.
this little
tiara

He

which

crown

good genius, his

took

then

manner

great pains to arrange

placed

was

; he

of diamonds

his

as

Josephine's

over

put it on, took

it

off,and

finallyput it on again, as if to promise her she should

it gracefully and lightly. My position enabled
wear
and
minute
observe
me
fortunately to see
every
action
and
in this
gesture of the principal actors
magical
The

scene."

coronation

which

had

for it

was

been
on

Second

the

Senate,
First

was

had

some

but

the final act in the

six months

upon

the

He

boards

the

eighteenth of May, preceding, that

of the
Consul, Cambaceres, President
to Saint

come

Consul

and

his

Cloud

wife

to

their

large body
^^made

of

elevation

to

the

escorted

troops.

Bonaparte, for
the first time, the title of ^Your
parte
Majesty.' Bonatook it calmly, just as
though he had borne
the title all his life."
The Senate then proceeded to
the
apartment of Madame
Bonaparte, who in her
turn
addressed
was
proclaimed Empress, and
by
in the following speech :
Cambaceres
^'Madame, the Senate has still an agreeable duty
to perform, that of offeringto your
Imperial Majesty
the homage
of its respect and the expression of the
French
gratitude of the
people. Yes, Madame,
France
tired
the good you
makes
known
never
are
of doing.
It says that, always accessible to the unfortunate,
you

set

to the

announce

throne, accompanied by all the senators, and

by

drama,

never

speech, and

exercise

gave

your

influence

over

302

the

JOSEPHIKE.

head

of

State, save
the
pleasure

the

console

their

misery,
and
of obliging them, your
that, to
makes
that
amiable
delicacy which
Majesty adds
and the benefit
more
precious.
gratitude sweeter
to

token
that the name
happy dispositionis a sure
of the Empress
solation
Josephine will be the signal of conand
hope, and, as the virtues of Napoleon
to
will always serve
as
an
example to his successors
teach
them
the art of governing nations, so the undying

This

of

memory

august

companions

your

kindness

that

the

will
of

art

teach

drying

their

men's
hearts.
ruling over
The
Senate congratulates itself on being the
to greet your
Imperial Majesty, and he who has
honor
to be its spokesman
to hope
presumes
him
will deign to count
the number
you
among
the

surest

way

of

''

your
''

most
To

faithful
this

is

tears

servants.

first
the
that

of

"

harangue," says
"Josephine replied with that
always raised her to the level
lofty,in which she might

Madame

de

natural
of any

Eemusat,

grace

which

ever
position,howbe placed."
And
she had
reached
the
loftiest
now
position,
of earthly grandeur
at the summit
was
; Josephine,
the
obscure
of Martinique, was
Creole
Her
now
been
She had
Majesty, Empress of all the French.
nation
represented as viewing the preparations for the corowith melancholy
forebodings ; again, essaying
with badinage and
a trial of the
imperial crown
''As wife of
laughter. She herself has said :
the First Consul
I was
I was
happy, indeed, because
him
enabled
to render
important services ; but,
.

304

JOSEPHINE.

and

of course,
of

was

Napoleon is said to
of her
marriage,
send

her

husband

if he

indiscreet
the

before

have

when

very
been

Napoleon

of his

own

from

know,

that

to

me,

ment
despicable sentithe

out

remain

tion,
inten-

and

petty

blind

to his

which

of

will

return."

meanness

amours,

shall

she

before

carried

never

and

must

We

he

this

We

revenge.

canons

uttered

heard

feet, solicitinghis

not

was

he

better.

herself

humble

did,

when

France

capable of
cannot, however,

for he

what

the

from

man
gentle-

military service.

the

much

far

if he

to

exclaimed,

So

at my

It is doubtful

place

''

and

glad to come
prostrate herself

numerous

have

so

be

; but

in

importance

some

married

after

soon

often

took

the

And
Empress.
the feelings of his royal consort,
thus
was
contravening the
eyes

moral

code

evidence

?
that

has

been

accepted
for Napoleon a
as
irrefutable,that she maintained
lasting affection,and which
he, in a way, requited.
he put
the offenses which
were
Yet, how numerous
he had
her.
Whenever
a mistress," says
upon
Madame
de Eemusat,
^^he let her
know
it, and
sort of surprise that she did not
showed
a savage
of his indulging in a pleasure which, as he
approve
would
demonstrate, so to speak, mathematically,
"

both

was

not

an

anger

and

allowable

and

ordinary man,'

of morals
"

Such

and

of customs

he

necessary
would
were

say
never

'

to him.
;

and

made

the

am

laws

for me.'

aroused
the
speeches as these, of course,
of his wife, and she repliedto them
with
tears
would
her husband
resent
complaints, which

305

JOSEPHINE.

the

with

vanish

would

fancy

his wife

for

violence.

utmost

lavish

placable and
his

Of

rude

he

the

manners,

his

upon

been

gentle, she

while

his

new

tenderness

moved

was

caresses

had

wrath

his

as

very

Then

and

suddenly,

revive.

would

grief, and

After

by

her

as

her
measured
un-

and, as she was

easilyappeased."
writer
gives an

was
same

immediately after the death of

the Duke
with the
d'Enghien, and she, in common
other ladies of the Court, had been weeping.
denly
Sudfixing a piercing eye upon
Bonaparte
me,
said :
Why have you no rouge ? You are too pale.'
I answered, that I had forgotten it.
What,' said he,^a woman
forget to put on her
And
!
then, with a loud laugh, he turned
rouge
and
added
That
will never
to his wife
:
happen
Two
to you, Josephine.
things are very becoming
; it

illustration

was

'^

'

''

'

'

'

to

women

:
"

rouge

tears."

and

greeable
not of a disaimperial epiosodes were
character
and
the
only occasionally was
great Bonaparte rude to his wife.
You
to plead for Lucien,'he
are
a good woman,
said to her tenderly one
his
day, then he rose from
chair, took his wife in his arms, and laid her head
his hand
still resting
softlyon his shoulder
; and with
the beautiful
a contrast
on
head, which formed
to the sad, set countenance
so
near
it,he told us
had resisted all his entreaties," etc.
that Lucien
the tyranny, violence
Much
has been said about
the
of temper, and despotism of Napoleon," wrote
But

'^

all the

'

'''

Duchess
20

d'Abrantes.

''

revere,

"

nay,

even

wor

306

JOSEPHINE.

his memory

ship
"

him

He

god.

; but

not

am

was

so

absurd
and

man,

to

as

sider
con-

of

partook

nature.
Nevertheless, to
failings of human
own
knowledge of his character,
speak from
my
him
well
I
and I had the opportunity of knowing
that he possessed
conviction
declare my
honest
must
noble
a
mind, a heart forgetful of injuries,and a

the

"

"

talent wherever
he found
dispositionto recommend
it. Perhaps at no period did Napoleon's character
his elevation to
in so exalted
on
a light as
appear
the
imperial authority. He had previously been
the object of envious
hatred, and of base persecution
he forgot all when
the nation
invested
; but
him

with

"

power.

supreme

Those

who

can

never

forget

the

when

he

his features

over

much

were

about

the

splendor which
smiled

of Napoleon

person

; his eyes

was

then

shed
came
be-

expression softened ; and if

produced the smile had anything
it, its effect was
infinitely

truly fine, their

which

sentiment

the

truly noble
heightened ; it was
something more

^^

Napoleon

desire
dressed
"

then

will

you

then
than

coronation

the

After

in

; do

you

be

of my

my

man.

hear

warrants

bills.'

of

came
be-

addressing Josephine, said, I

dazzling in jewelry and richly

erase

that

his countenance

Yes,' repliedMadame
will find fault,perhaps
will

that

And

'

Bonaparte, *and then you

fall into a passion ; or you
from
the marof payment
gins
she pouted like a little girl,

307

JOSEPHINE.

Madame
perfect good humor.
she chose
it,
possessed, when
Bonaparte's manners
Her
a seducing charm.
graciousness might he too
she
general ; but undeniably, she could be, when
and
When
the
lovable.
chose, perfectly attractive
his wish
First
Consul
announced
regarding her
toilet she looked
towards
at him
so
prettily,walked
him
with
such
ner
mangraceful sweetness, her whole
desire to please, that he
a
breathing so evident

but

with

the

most

must

have

her.

Napoleon loved

and

had

heart

her

I sometimes
are

take

abuses

it upon

but

recommend

it
you

One
parade.
another, and
strictly.'
.

drew

her

resist

close

to him

'

her

cannot

; he

could

who

stone

Certainly, my dear love,

cancel
of payment,
warrants
cause
beyour
that
I
occasionally so imposed upon

embraced

you

of

conscience

my

sanction

to

such

is

not, therefore, inconsistent

to

to

be

of

magnificent

interest
I hold

be

must

the

balance

on

occasions

weighed

against

equitably, though

^'Madame

an
Bonaparte was
astonishing woman,
have
and must
formerly been extremely pretty, for
of youth,
no
longer in the first bloom
though now
she
still striking. Had
her personal charms
were
I do not
but
ugly or pretty,
possessed teeth
say
she would
outvied
but
certainly have
only teeth
"

"

nearly all the ladies

Josephine, says
with
habitudes
Her

habit

her

of the

who

one

mode

; her

mode

was

to

Consular

of
of

rise

intimately

was

life,had

life
at

Court."

was

what

always

eight in the

quainted
ac-

are

called

the

same.

morning,

308

JOSEPHINE.

her
while
toilet was
the papers
glancing over
being performed, and perhaps receiving tradesmen
and

others

At

noon,

with

salon

admitted

to her

salon.

breakfast,

after

conversation

not

guests and

her

o'clock

till four

breakfast

service.

de

dames
ride

in

the

From

excursion, and

or

reception of friends.
four

From

which

hour,

to five

if at

Then

all,she received visits from

second
toilet,and dinner

rarely staying longer

Bonaparte

evening the

In the

their calls.

etc.,made

before

never

"

absorbed

twenty

six ;
utes
min-

he

he

remained

wanted

was

in other

to

not
form

to

exceed

party at
inattentive,being so
very
things. This party always
a

of ladies.

consisted
After

at

ministers, marshals, generals,

If the Emperor
which
came,

nine,

quarter-hour, unless
he
whist, at which
much

than

parte.
Bona-

table.

at the

was

o'clock,rest, in neglige,during

the

game

was

over

he would

abruptly leave

until retiring-time,
Josephine would remain
so
though sometimes
fatigued she could
often lie awake, conversing with her
not sleep,and
femme-de-garde till three in the morning.
After
the adoption of the rigid court etiquette,"
Madame
of Napoleon
de Eemusat,
the wife
says
in the same
almost
was
position of dependence as
In
train.
parte's
the ladies of her
proportion as Bonaaffairs increased
in magnitude, she became
a stranger to them.
the destiny of the world, matEuropean politics,

the

salon

; but

'^

''

"

309

JOSEPHINE.

tered

heights

; her

her

little to
which

thoughts

have

could

not

influence

no

reach
her

on

to
own

tranquil as to her own

she lived
lot and happy in that of her children, and
life of peaceful indifference,behaving to all with
a
little or
no
equal graciousness, showing
special
favor to any one, but a general good will.
fate.

this

At

period

she

did

was

"

We

allude

cannot

that

to the
after

followed

fetes

numerous

the

coronation.

and

The

tivals
fes-

city

distinguished itself by presenting to the

panied
Empress a magnificent toilet set of gold, accomipality
by a speech from the president of the municin which
most
complimentary allusions were
the
beneficent
infiuence
made
to
Josephine had
the
morals
of
of all classes
always exerted
upon
society since the period of the Eevolution.
Paris

of

But

of all the

demonstrations

of

she

which

touched
object,perhaps Josephine was
the
natal
people of her
by that from
Martinique. Upon the reception of the

the

the

islanders

abandoned

themselves

giving up
thanksgivings. Madame

demonstrations,
and

persuaded

to

emerge

and

become

the honored

the

admiral

of the

from

to

the

entire

an

de
her

news,

week

to

La-Pagerie
at

had

brought
by a

the

joyous
fetes
was

Sannois

guest of the Governor

fieet who

most

country,

most

retreat

was

the

and

glad

numerous
tidings to Martinique. Preceded
of the admiral,
the arm
cortege and leaning upon
de La-Pagerie was
conducted
Madame
to the door
of Fort Eoyal, where
she was
of the church
received
by the ecclesiastics and persuaded to take her seat

810

JOSEPHINE.

dais, like

upon

she

After

Te

The

of

erected

of

Emperor,

and

ceremonies.

Empress
Governor,

hundred

two

to the

the

of the

house

spread with
of night.
Empress :

the

state,the authorities

in

seated

allegiance

concluded
mother

the

thus

was

oath

the

Deum

to

heen

choir.

in the

took

had

throne, which

then

was

where
at

covers,

conducted

banquet
the coming
a

was
on

Governor

presented the toast to the

To
her
phine.
Majesty, the Empress Josereserved
and
It was
to grace
beauty to
share the throne
of France
with genius and victory."
The
health of Madame
de La-Pagerie was
To
:
of our
the mother
Empress ; the model of virtues in
the colony. France
is indebted
to her
for those
adorn
in the person
of her august
which
the throne
daughter."
de La-Pagerie
Eeturning to Trois Ilets,Madame
her
resumed
life of
patriarchal simplicity,and
The
'^

"

^^

"

after left her

never

bestowed

her

upon

But

retreat.

the title of the

It

was

while

at the summit

Josephine made
draw

her

mother

last
from

but
her

the Creoles

Empress-Mother,

persisted in surrounding her with

and

in

chosen

every

tion.
atten-

of her

grandeur that
ineffectual
attempt to
hermitage to join her
inhabitants

of

Josephine just as she was

for Milan, where
with
the Emperor
out
latter was
to be crowned
King of Italy.
This
first year
of the Empire
ought to be

ting
set-

France.

Martinique

The
reached

addresses

of

the

the

con-

31^

JOSEPHINE.

Soon

after

the

men

Martinique,
supreme

to

coronation,
arrived

from

fehcitate
After

power.

her

tinguish
deputation of disnative
her
island,

on

her

audience

an

elevation
with

the

to

peror,
Em-

before
deputation presented themselves
and presented her with
their august countrywoman
the French
the following address:
'^Madame,
in your
and
cherish
revere
Imperial Majesty, the
their august
sovereign first saw
country in which
her power
the light of day, that sovereign who
uses
to their happiness.
but to contribute
Martinique is
proud to have had born within her limits one whom
had reserved
and
Providence
for such high destinies,
This
herself
who
shows
so
worthy of her honors.
colony is content to shine in the reflected splendor
surrounds
her.
Its people hear with
which
joy that
the

mildness

and

beneficence

are

seated

on

the

throne

Mr^jesty ; that she is more

adorned
by her graces than by her crown
; that the
advantages which are hers through her high rank,
of her personal qualities:
disappear under the charm
touched
more
and, much
by her goodness than by
the outher grandeur, they offer her this homage,
come
of the purest sentiment."
Keference
to the
attempts of
having been made
from
her island home,
Josephine to draw her mother
troduce
in this connection, it may
to inbe at least relevant
times
few of her letters,
written
at various
a
and the Empire.
during the Consulate
In them
all we
perceive the loving daughter, the
and
dutiful
unspoiled
child,unstained
by ambition

by

the

side

of

your

318

JOSEPHINE.

by the exercise
dated

The

of power.

Dear

which

Mamma,

despatched
with
England.
since

mamma,
think

of you

to
.

October, 1801.

this letter

received

often, and

hope

the
my

of you

news

you

by the frigate

Guadeloupe to announce
It is a long time,

have

we

Pabis, 18th

I send

"

is

peace

we

is

"

"

*'

first of this series

well.

are

dear
; but

Are

happy, and do you still think of your Yeyette ?

in
Eugene, is lieutenant-colonel
Bonaparte's
guard of cavalry ; he often expresses the desire to go
Hortense
is
to Martinique to see his grandmamma.
now
as
well, and at
large as I am
; she draws
very
this moment
is painting a picture of Bonaparte taking
in the park.
This picture she intends
a walk
you

''

for you.

''Say to
him

my

Tascher, I pray

Uncle

you,

that I desire

possible to Paris, to give

Martinique ; he can
Bonaparte information
upon
is
come
now
by way of London, as communication
France
and England.
between
open
desires that you will
Bonaparte
very much
think
live in a
to France, if you
come
can
you
to

come

quickly

as

as

"

climate

so

different

from

try to arrive in the month

If you
of June.
You

yours.

can

do so,

ought to
daughter very

Bonaparte, for he makes

your
a
happy ; he is good and amiable, in every
way
loves your
charming man
Yeyette very,
; and, he
love

very
"

much.

Adieu, my

dear

mamma

; I love you

with

aU my

314

JOSEPHINE.

heart

grandchildren

; your

join

me

in

embracing

you.
''La

''

Eemember

embrace

Seven

my

me

family and

friends,and

for me."

nurse

months

to all my

Pagerie-Bonaparte.

later,in May, 1802, she writes

This

by the
The
choice
that Bonaparte
of citizen Bertin.
hand
of him
has made
as
prefect of Martinique, proves
he has
he has for
the esteem
for him, and the care
Bertin
the well-being of the colony.
Citizen
will
about
will also
and
give you the latest news
me,
give you a gold box, inlaid with diamonds, on which
the portraits of Bonaparte, of myself, and
are
my
children.
It is a present to you from
husband,
my
who
hopes that it will please you, and that you will
I also wish
to make
a
enjoy it a long time.
you
I send you
so
a beautiful
present, my dear mamma,
of the
and
blessed
chaplet given me
by the hand
better
to
Holy Father, the Pope. I cannot
prove
him
the esteem
in which
I hold his present, than
by
giving it to the most virtuous and best of women.
Bonaparte and I both have the greatest desire that
shall come
to live with us.
I hope that you will
you
accede
fore
to our
wishes, and the year will not pass beshall enjoy this great happiness. I wrote
to
we
of the
time
at the
daughter
grandmarriage of your
you
of the brothers
of Bonaparta
with
one
''My

DEAR

Mamma

letter I send

....

"

816

JOSEPHINE.

He

is the

fourth

raised by Bonaparte
brother, and was
in a regiment
of dragoons, and is
; is colonel
only twenty-three years old.
but four
months
and
They have been married
I shall
Soon
already have sweet hopes of an heir.
be
to me
a
grandmother, but that seems
very
pleasant.
often
"Write
and
of all the
me
news
give me
family.
uncle to come
"Advise
to France, and
to bring
my
all his boys.
He
us
daughter
godought also to send me
my
I will profit by every
occasion, my dear
'^

to write

mamma,

of the

tender

dear

mother

good

the

renew

assurance

daughter.

mine.

bye,
Good-

1 embrace

you

heart.
^ ^

"

to

of your

attachment

and

all my

with

and

to you,

relinquishthe

P agerie-Bonaparte.

La

children, who wish to

Write
to Bonaparte, it will please him.
write you.
all the kinds
of American
Send
me
seeds, fruits,
in fact,
sweet
potatoes, bananas, oranges,
mangos,
pen

to my

"

every

kind

you

"Kindest

can.

remembrances

Six months

morning,

to all friends."

later, November,

is now
"Bonaparte
fact, all of Normandy,
the journey.
Judge
on

this

to

learn

1802.
.

visiting Havre, Kouen, in

and I am
accompanying him
of my
surprise and pleasure,
that

vessel

was

about

to

316

JOSEPHINE.

My pleasure
depart for Martinique.
greater, as there had already set sail
I had

before

hailed

of

us.

your

that

to

depart,

and

not

is but

one

have

is to

that
myself, and to assure
you
and
grandchildren love you
very
greatest desire to see you, and that
thing lacking to my happiness, and

news

the

have

much,
there

intention

vessels,

this
you
children

give

their

two

the

to write
profitby the occasion
to them,
However, Bonaparte, sailingnear
to give you
the captain and told them
news
dear
I am
much
mother, to
happier, my

could

therefore
you.

learned

all

was

near

you

Give

me.

me,

dear

my

satisfaction,and there will be nothing

lacking. Sell your
property in Martinique, and
in France.
You
to
come
ought to want
buy some
children
cannot
with your
live here now,
stay
; you
there in the colonies,after knowing
much
how
they
mother,

wish
'^

this

you

to be

I send

you

with

them.
.

of Hortense

the

; three

particulars of
weeks

little

the

accouchement

she

presented us
Bonaparte will have
ago

with

him
boy.
as
baptized, on our
father,
godreturn, and will stand
I as
and
He
will
be
called
godmother.
Napoleon. Louis Bonaparte wrote you to announce
his birth ; he is the happiest of men,
to be a father,
and
above
all,of a big boy. It gives me
pleasure
to tell you
that their marriage is a very
happy one,
and that they love each
other
much.
very
parte,
Bona''By this time my brother-in-law, Jerome
a

beautiful

should
him

very

be with

much.

you.

Please

am

kiss him

sure
on

you
one

will

like

cheek

for

317

JOSEPHINE.

and

me,

written

having
and

is very

Colonel.
model

us.

is liked

by

at

us

him

if

do

would

well,
which

vessels
and

trees

touch
which

seeds

kind

every

dear

my

send

the

you

is

he

assure

not

You

profit by
me

from

come

which

in

papers,

the

me

Send

for.

which

my

could

send

to

in

him

to

you

those

him

Tascher.

Havre

I asked

possible, even

woods.

dear

mamma,

at

Havre,

one;

every

I do

than

better

any

not

just named

placed
Bonaparte has
is very happy.
You
can
he were
own
child, I
my

He

for

other

with

has

Bonaparte

Tascher

the

slap on
is
Eugene

boy, and

love

the

little

well.

regiment.
uncle, that

the

him

give

you

Bonaparte received at Eouen

;
of the
it would
be difficult to paint the enthusiasm
people wherever
Bonaparte is seen.
with
embrace
Adieu, my dear mother
you
; we
will

see

the

welcome

"

all

our

The
different

hearts, and
letters

those

appended, written
testify. Like the
of the

always

the

empire were
the consulate,

in

of

intervals

at

others, they

My

dear

cousin,who
be

glad

the
into

Mamma

of

two,

years,

will
from

extracted

are

"

Paris,

send

30th

January,

you

sails for

to learn

wise

no

these

as

two

same."

La-Pagerie family.
"

'*

you

the

during

from

the archives

love

we

I am
Martinique.
him
from
everything

interests
and
me.
Emperor
details,but will give them

I
to him

1805.
.

by

news
sure

that

will
to

my
will

you
concerns

not

enter

tell you,

318

JOSBPHINB.

that

you

with

the many
proofs of attachment
family is loaded by the Emperor,

know

may

which

my

There
is
daughter.
in France, and
not do to see
nothing he would
you
well
to make
as
as
days
myself, contribute
your
peaceful and happy.
and

the

"

Make

to share

truly happy
happiness.

remember

aunt, Mdlle.
"

Write

shall
wish
I

to make

desires

your

in this

; and

address

to

you
or

until

my

have

you

come

uncle, and

to

my

else ; it suffices

one

any

grandson

you,

the

Princess

boy,

who

will be

as

Louis

you

know

to

me

them

to have

matter, as in all others,

the
not
me
direct, and

You
gratified.
have
already announced
.

another

believe

La-Pagerie.
of everything that
concerns
you.
with
pleasure, all the advances

me

governor

to

me

and

mamma,

de

assume,

pray

dear

be

not

my

"Pray

your

this, my

of

note

I shall

that

of

happiness

has

given birth

baptized by the

Pope

have

to

and

to

another
named

by the Emperor.
"Josephine.

"

I send

blessed

It

you

number

of

chaplets which

been

by the Holy Father."

in

was

the

month

of

May

that

Napoleon

anointed

was

have

was

the coalition
King of Italy. That summer,
between
England, Kussia, Sweden, and Austria
these
nations
formed, by which
hoped to hurl
*

"

Lettres

de

Napoleon

Josephine,^^

etc

320

JOSEPHINE.

she

could

not

be satisfied
all his

on

be

not

near

unless

enough to her
permitted to

could

husband,

him

accompany

campaigns.

Again, there had been a change in Napoleon ; this

in the
in his letters,written
will show
change we
heat of battle, as during the Italian conquests ; still
breathing regard and deep attachment, though not
pervaded by the fire of passion, as at that earlier
of his achievements,
period. The whole world knew
generations followed
ago
; former
upon
years
many
the

of

course

and

We

do
that

victories

the

the
not

find

in these

later

have

few

but

heart-historyof
beloved
companion of

cognizant
man

of

his

this

his

been

wonderful

agitated life.
that

letters

ance,
exuber-

exaggeration, of the first. The

lover of twenty-six is now
thirty-seven ; the general
then
of the army,
just rising into fame, is now
Emperor of France
expanded, but
; his genius has
his heart
is the
find
As in Italy, we
the
same.
of his immortal
battle-fields
in conjunction
names
with
expressions of love and solicitude ; but now
famous
they are those made
by his exploitson this
wonderful
campaign : Ulm, Austerlitz,Jena, Eylau,
Friedland, and Wagram.
It was
the
first of
that
October
on
Bonaparte
took command
of his army
next day he wrote
; the
the
first letter to Josephine, from
I
Manheim
:
still here
in good
and
The
health.
am
grand
have
of Wurtemburg
maneuvers
begun ; the army
amorous

"

and

Baden

is

now

good position,and

united

mine.

with

I love thee.

am

Napoleon."
.

in

321

JOSEPHINE.

On

the

of October

fourth

is

There

Louisburg.

he

nothing
is

weather

**

writes

new

is

army
I have

; my

at

am

on

the

march

the

I am
in
union
with the Bavarian
Army.
my
I expect m
best of health.
a few
days to have

the

superb.

pleted
com-

(As indeed he
something interestingto write you.
did have. ) Take
good care of thy health, and believe
thine."

ever

me,

The

continue

to

five

and

well

wilt

expected.

immediately
be, my friend,

from

news

thee.

trouble

as

"I leave
.

Thou

march.

days without

that

let

not

the

six

or

he writes

day

next

but

me;

do

Everything is going
have
just assisted at

of the Elector
with
a
marriage of the son
I desire to make
niece of the King of Prussia, and
them
a
marriage present of some
thirty-fiveor
Please
francs.
select it and send by
forty thousand
chamberlains
to rejoin
of my
when
he returns
ono
thee."
me.
Adieu, my friend ; I love and embrace
As the Emperor had announced
to Josephine, five
of him
six days passed without
or
news
; but then
the

"

heard

never

of

by many

of any

them, by Junot

throne

that

In

cordial intercourse

the

the

pronoun

[This is
but, as
has

the

been

he ceased

to the

to address

of

stylethroughout

familiar

In the latter

in

tutoying would
for thee

translation, in order

wife"

that

feelingshad

only

on

in this familiar

and

Bonaparte's
seem

He

did

so

ascending the
style in public.

continued

to

use

to
not

letters to

Josephine

very strange in English, you

thou.

letters,however, the familiar

in the

his

them

was

Consul.

d' Abrantes.

"

the

last ; it

First

private friendship he

thou.'''' Duchesse

substituted

21

tutoyer the

one

stylehas been preserved

show
his
Bonaparte's attitude towards
changed.]

322

JOSEPHINE.

explained by the tidings of his

interruption was
He
writes
successful
at Elchingen.
engagement
I am
from
quartered with the old
Augsburg :
I have
Elector
of Treves, who
is very well housed.
The
for a week.
been
the move
on
campaign has
opened auspiciously. I am very well, though it has
Events
have
followed
rained nearly every
one
day.
sent
to
France
another
4,000
rapidly. I have
prisoners and eight flags, and have forty cannon,
taken
from
the enemy.
Adieu, my
brace
friend, I emthe

**

thee."
surrender

the

After

^^

Ulm

of

am

in

pretty

I have
taken
good friend.
good health, my
than
prisoners, more
sixty or seventy thousand
pieces of cannon.
ninety flags,and two hundred
of thyself. I am
Take
little tired.
a
good care
has been fair the three days past.
The
weather
The
of prisoners start to-day for France,
first columns
...

six thousand

men

taken

Having

in each
her

column."

station

as

near

the

theater

of

allow her to be, at StrasNapoleon would

to her
burg, Josephine transmitted
daughter and
the news
from
her
to Joseph Bonaparte
received
husband.
She
the
writes
to Hortense, on
22d
of
''I have
dear
October
tense,
Hor:
promised, my
Prince
to
me
Joseph, who has written
a
charming letter,to send a courier with the first
received.
M. de Thiars wrote
news
by order of
me,
the Emperor, all the details of our
recent
successes,
and
I immediately
them
to Prince
transmitted
Joseph, with the request that he would send to thee
events

as

323

JOSEPHINE.

and
from
sure

did
I

letter
To-day I received
a
thy husband.
I send
the Emperor, which
to thee, feeling
that it will give thee the same
pleasure as it
it and return
to me
when
me.
Kindly preserve
to

thee.

see

"All

of the

general
all the

was

Emperor's staff
wounded, which

ladies

whose

husbands

well

are
news

; not

you
in the

are

will

single
give to
On

army.

Thursday they will chant a Te Deum, and the same

day I shall give a fete to the ladies of Strasburg.
all
Adieu, my dear Hortense, I love thee with
'^

heart

my

and

embrace

thee.

thousand

loving

and
children."
thy husband
the people received
at Munich, where
Arrived
with
joy their deliverer, Bonaparte took much-needed
and wrote
at length to his wife
of the
more
repose,
of this miraculous
astonishing events
campaign.
her
for
entreaties
Josephine renewed
permission
declined
to
to rejoin him
there, but the Emperor
allow her to risk the journey.
to see
I am
but
thee," he wrote,
very desirous
to

messages

''

*^

cannot

call thee
or

thousand

we

hither

shall

have

kisses, my

until
gone

dear

an

into

armistice

winter

be

cluded
con-

quarters.

friend."

join him, for

impossible that she should
the army
was
soon
pressing on again ; not long
from
the Austrian
after she received
a letter
tal,
capisix weeks
only after he had quitted the Seine :
here
two
I
been
I have
days, my
good friend.
not
somewhat
the
fatigued. I have
yet seen
am
city by day ; we entered in the night. To-morrow
It

was

"

324

JOSEPHINE.

receive

beyond
'*

the

Adieu,

loving
In

announce

will

have

simple
to

capital.

his

thee

the

come

of

the

first
to

troops

ray

are

Eussians.
I

moment

it

thousand

me.

find

thee."

for

messages

this

pursuit

Josephine

my
I

possible,

in

Danube,

the

all

Nearly

notables.

language
consort

his

did

occupation

the

conqueror
of

the

emies'
en-

325

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTEE

XXIV.

AUSTERLITZ

Master
accede

to

allow
of

her

WAGRAM.

of Austria, the

Emperor
to Josephine's repeated
to approach somewhat
nearer
The

war.

TO

November

16th

was

then

entreaties

he wrote

to
her

able
and

the

seat

to

ceed
pro-

she would
find
capital of Bavaria, where
meet
a beautiful
palace at her disposal,and would
with a good reception.
He
he
promised to rejoin her there as soon
as
should
have
completed his campaign against the
of
Eussians
schemes
; and, though so occupied with
hand
the greatest magnitude
one
: with
fighting the
the other
enemies
of his country and with
ing
governhe was
the ruler, he yet
the country of which
her most
time
to write
found
minutely respecting
to the

her

conduct

She

was

and

with

intercourse

to remember

that

the

daughter of the King

apparently well disposed,etc.

was

"

the

Electrice
of

authorities.
of

Bavaria

England, though

glad to see thee, the moment

my
I am
about
affairs
will permit.
leaving for my
is horrible
advance
guard. The weather
; it snows
I shall be very

326

JOSEPHINE.

going well.

is

continually ; for the rest, everything

Adieu, my good friend.

'^Napoleon."

Josephine did
Bavarian

gentle dignity
the

up

fruits

of

by

as

the victorious

after

; and

and

her

the

her

to

her

grace.

ing
gather-

army,

battles, cementing

at the

with

one

every

well

as

sealing to her

and

formed

character

followed

she

Thus

of

of

Empress

was

Napoleon

impressed

she

court

she

that

invincible

of the

France, wife

forget

not

ties

new

the

spouse

vanquished and liberated.

While
Josephine was
performing this journey to
occurred
the
Munich,
greatest of
Bonaparte's
triumphs : the victory of Austerlitz.
Immediately after the battle, while yet the cries of
the
from
the wounded
arose
smoking field of conflict,
of the

hearts

Napoleon
the

after

wrote

other, which

first

give

three

sufficient

I have

am

in the
the

to

thee

Lebrun,
the

beaten

commanded

armies
I

sent

I have

battle.

3d

December,

from

and

Russian

in person

the

by the

1805.

field of

Austrian

Emperors.

two

week
a
fatigued ; I have bivouacked
air ; to-night I sleep in the chateau
of

little

open

Prince

de

Kaunitz.

The

only defeated, but destroyed.

"

"I

of

testimony

"Austerlitz,
"

letters, one

welfare.

in her

interest

his affectionate
The

his wife

to

have

concluded

Russian

army

is not

I embrace

thee."

...

5th

Austerlitz,

December.
.

The

truce.
.

battle

of

328

JOSEPHINB.

'^

It is

Have

thee.

from

with

covered

should

like

The

silence

of

addressed

then

one

and

beaten

things
are

blood
hard

to

humiliated.

very

be

to

fled to

have

Eussians

eyes

; my

and

working

are

The

all

above

friend

Adieu, my

We

soldiers

poor

rain

news

Stuttgart

Baden,

with

drenched

accomplish the peace.

their own
country, well

of

forget the

for Vienna.

leave

soon

fine fetes

thee

mud,

received

have

since

the

made

Munich

and

long while

thee.

near

cured."

Josephine still continued, and he

more
appeal, in a tone of solemn

pleasantry.
""

Great

from
Not
a single line
Empress,
you
have
since your
Strasburg. You
departure from
visited
Baden, Stuttgart, and
Munich, without
having written me a word ; that does not show much
tenderness
affection.
or
Deign, from the height
of your
a thought
grandeur, to bestow
your
upon
"

slave.

Napoleon."
.

She
this

certainly owed to him, who had raised her to

than
this indifference.
height of grandeur, more

We

cannot

believe

deep devotion,

merited

measure

the act

of

and

of

Her

it cannot

divorce.

was

be denied
later

of

sensible
that

his

she in

her

in

followed

Less
her

explicable is the patience

continued
than his
frivolities,

of them.

excuse,

awaiting

she

the fate that

Napoleon with

toleration

that

him

given
at Vienna

in

a
was

letter

which

he

found

indisposition; yet she

329

JOSEPHINE.

solicited

permission

to

join him

in

the

Austrian

capital.
"

I have

her,
but

"

thy letter,"he promptly answered

with
pain that thou art suffering ;
to make
a
good condition in which

received

and

it is not

note
a

I do not know
what
long journey, at this season.
I shall do ; it depends upon
Remain
events.
at
surrounded
Munich, amuse
thyself: that is not difficult,
thou
art by interesting persons
and in
as
such a beautiful
I myself am
country.
very much
occupied. In a few days I will decide.
Adieu, my
friend ; a thousand
loving and tender messages."
Soon after,on the 26th of December, the treaty of
to
Presburg was
signed, and the Emperor hastened
Her
rejoin the Empress at Munich.
joy at seeing
her royal spouse
the wars
returned
safe from
was
doubled
that he intended
to solicit
by his assurance
the hand
of the Princess
Augusta, daughter of the
Elector of Bavaria, for her son, Eugene.
Her own
expressed in a letter to
opinion of the Princess was
she describes
of most
her as
Hortense, in which
charming character and beautiful as an angel. The
in due
four
wedding followed
days after
course,
Eugene's arrival from Italy, to which
country the
returned
his beautiful
with
Viceroy soon
young
The
bride.
same
day Bonaparte and the Empress
started for Paris, where
they arrived on the night
of the 26th January, 1806.
Josephine had the pleasure to find there her uncle,
de Tascher, recently arrived
the Chevalier, Baron
from
for
she had not seen
Martinique, and whom
.

330

JOSEPHINE.

fifteen

His

years.

de

sister,Mme.

Renaudin,

and

the

had
she
married
Marquis de Beauharnais, whom
late in life,had both deceased
during the Consulate.
The
remaining was
only one of the old household
the Countess
Fanny de Beauharnais, who was
ing
pass-

her
The

Countess

of

cultivation

in the

old age

had

Fanny

son,

the

the

muses.

Count

the
daughter, Stephanie, became
had
her
educated, and
Josephine, who
future
Napoleon provided, by mar-rying

whose

Claude,
proteg^ of

for
her

whose
to the

of Baden.

Prince

spoiled child of the Court ;

it is related that the sisters of Napoleon were
offended
favors bestowed
at certain
her, and especially
upon
from
because
she was
exempt
standing in their
She
complained to Napoleon that they
presence.
her
would
not allow
to be seated, when
he said to
her :
sit on my
knee ; you
will
Well, then, come
became

Stephanie

the

^'

not

incommode

there."

them

She
the

objected to the
Prince
of Baden,

him

with

and

was

This

disdain
taken

the

was

in behalf
that

of the

and

home

second

he

alliance

of the

Viceroy
perhaps the only one

for

marriage with
long time treated

finallyleft

; but

to the

of her

manner

and

adopted
the

that

the Court

him

had

provided for her.

Napoleon had contracted

relatives

Princess

had

with

of his wife

of Bavaria

was

happy issuance.
de Tascher
The
Baron
died
suddenly, a month
of Josephine and Napoleon
after the return
to Paris,
surrounded
he recommended
by his children,whom
to the attention
of the Emperor.

331

JOSEPHINE.

The
brows

witnessed

1806

year

two

crowns

upon

the

Louis, king of
:
Bonaparte's brothers
Dukedoms
Holland, and Joseph, king of Naples.
and principalities
were
parceled out to the members
of
the
his family and
his Court, and
imperial
princes
authority strengthened by these parvenu
of

their retainers.

and

The

of the Ehine

confederation

formed, with

was

Bonaparte as protector, in July, and the German

dissolved in August.
empire was
The departure of Queen Hortense, in June, was
felt for her
a
subject of grief to Josephine, who
daughter the liveliest sympathy, and in whose society
she spent a great portion of her time.
For the unhappy issue of the marriage of Hortense
have
with
Louis
felt
Bonaparte Josephine must
somewhat
possibly remorseful.
responsible, and
Both
the Empress and the Emperor
strove
to heal
the
this ill-assorted
everwidening breach between
couple.
Josephine's letters to her daughter are replete with
tenderness
*'

and

filled with

solicitude

a month
thy departure," she wrote
later,
''I have been
quite ill with fever, but chieflyfrom
I endure
How
this
can
chagrin at thy absence.
daughter, so sweet,
separation from
thee, from
my
of
art the charm
tender and loving as thou, who
so

my
see

Since

life ?
thee

God

My
often.

is it

good

once,

and

And

If thou

?
I

will

am

so

sad

because

thy health, my dear

art
ever
sick, let mo

hasten

to

the

side

of

cannot

Hortense,
know
my

at

best-

332

JOSEPHINE.

beloved.

Adieu,
.

daughter ;
thyself that

think

Hortense

had

dear

Hortense, my darling
of thy mother, and
persuade

my

often

never

united

been

Bonaparte, on the 7th

union, Bonaparte said
of

Louis

and

her

found

Duchess

the

her

result

well-meant

tribute

Of

speaking

each
be

of

this

other

united

Josephine's

intimate

with

her

acter
char-

to the

care

to

September '95, she was

of Madame
Campan, formerly
Marie
Antoinette, who at that
in

which

Grand

of the

lady-in-waiting to
time kept a boardinga

all the

social

and

old

Among
regime.
Stephanie de Beauharnais, the
.

Duchess

future

entrusted

revived

were

religioustraditions
her companions
were
future

Louis

in it."

account

was

art."

to

They loved
they desired to

^^In

school

Helena

Saint

d'Abrantes, who

family, pays
:

in

'^

also

was

thou

as

marriage
January, 1802.

at

married

they were
the
marriage
intrigues,who
The

of

Hortense

when

loved

daughter

was

of

; Caroline

Baden

parte,
Bona-

Munroe,
Naples ; Elisa
daughter of a
president of the United States.
She
was
light-hearted and happy.
fond of her as though she were
as
Bonaparte was
.

of

queen
future

''

his

child.

own

makes

was

forced

the

to

took
presence

families.

used

Mass

to say

of her

Hortense

in virtue.'

likely to

was

ceremony
in

believe

me

"She

He

marry

fall in love
Louis

with

Bonaparte.

Duroc
The

; but

civil

placeJanuary 3,1802, at the Tuileries,

of the Bonaparte
and Beauharnais
not yet said in this palace, and
was

333

JOSEPHUSTE.

it

in the house

was

de

Rue

in the

Victoire, where

la

when
she married
Napoleon, that
Josephine Hved
the marriage took place.
well-conducted
A polished and
education
had
improved her natural talents ; she drew excellently,
performed admirably in
harmoniously, and
sang
comedy.
In 1800 she was
wards
a charming
girl ; she afteryoung
"

"

became
of

I have

Europe.
and

courts

had

any

beloved
her
of

her
her

of

one

in

Paris,

the

seen

amiable

most

both

many,
I have

but

in

princesses
their

known

never

own

who

one

She
was
pretensions to equal talents.
by every one, though of all who surrounded
mother

seemed
.

the

child

; and

it

to be

confuted.

First

the

Her

attractions.

tenderly ;

be

to
.

least

brother

conscious
loved

her

looked

Consul

upon

her

as

his

only in that country, so fertile in

the inventions
of scandal, that so foolish an
tion
accusacould
have
been
imagined as that any feeling
less pure
than
his conduct
paternal affection actuated
her.
The
vile calumny
towards
met
with
the
only remembered
contempt it merited, and is now
was

'^Hortense, in fact,
Beauharnais,
regarded
awe.

She

never

dared

trembled
to

ask

while

when
him

she

was

Mademoiselle

Napoleon with
respectful
she
spoke to him, and
a

favor.

When

she

had

if
to
solicit she applied to me
anything
; and
experienced any difficultyin obtaining for her what
her as the person
I sought, I mentioned
for whom
little simpleton,' Napoleon
would
pleaded. ^The

334

JOSEPHINE.

say,

does

why

afraid

of

ask

; is the

herself

me

girl

"

?'

me

she not

the

instigation
and
Eussia
of England, between
Prussia, against
his
usual
With
France.
promptitude, Napoleon
himself
hurled
against the allied armies, and soon
A

coalition

new

them

reduced

Austrians,

to the
the

year

was

formed,

condition

of

before.

He

at

and

Kussians

the
left

Saint

Cloud

later he
September, and just a month
from
of Germany,
master
issuing his commands
was
its capital. After
having installed the Empress at
accompanying him
Mayence (for she insisted upon
to a point as near
as
possible to the seat of war),
Napoleon, on the first of October, formally opened
:...''
A
later he wrote
week
the campaign.
My
is in motion.
All my
friend :
Everything is
army
health is perfect. A thousand
going well, and my
kisses and good health."
the 13th, in the night, and
On
probably in the
resulted
which
midst of those
mighty combinations
of the Prussian
hosts the next day,
in the overthrow
to Josephine :
at the battle of Jena, he wrote
My good friend, everything is moving well, just
I had
the aid of Grod, in a few
as
expected. With
character
a
likely to
days I will be able to assume
I pity, as
trouble
the poor King
of Prussia, whom
The
Queen is at
personally he is a good man.
Erf urth with
to witness
If she wishes
the King.
a
battle, she will surely have that dreadful pleasure.
I am
withstand
marvelously well, and have gained flesh,noton

the

25th

"

'^

I have

traveled

at the

rate

of

twenty

336

JOSEPHINE.

having been found impossible to send for the

to return
her
to Paris,
Empress, Napoleon ordered
the
reached
the capital about
and
she
last of
His letters of this month
are
January, 1807.
loving
at this time
and
Napoleon
frequent, though it was
It

and

met

fell
the

woman,

in

Countess

other, affected

any

with

love

the

Walewski,

his later

who,

Polish
than

more

life.

intimations

Josephine received

beautiful

of this

ation
infatu-

new

Emperor, which her instinctive jealousy

rendered
had foreseen, and
was
extremely uneasy,
her unseen
without
foe.
being able to combat
The winter
and
the summer
passed away
; finally
the decisive
battle of Friedland, when
occurred
the
Eussians
were
totally defeated.
in January, 1807, that
It was
Napoleon met the
he came
nearest
to loving after Josephine ;
woman
he first saw
the Countess
when
in
Walewski, whom
of the

Poland.
but

she

He
at

yielded upon
of her

even

interests
of

of
her

Bonaparte ; when
established
there, and
to

of
as

May, 1810.
a martyr,

was

She
him

of

enamored

her

at

first

sight,
first repulsed his advances, and
only
the representation of her
friends,and
relatives,that she should do so in the
Poland.
ness
Notwithstanding the harshstrongly attached
wooing, she became
was

In her

he

returned

bore
own

him

to Paris
son,

country she

on
was

she

the

was

fourth

regarded

good of Poland, and

for her infidelityto her husband.
not censured
clung to Napoleon's fortunes to the last,visiting
their little son.
at Elba, having in her company
a

victim

for

the

337

JOSEPHINE.

to Saint

exile

his

after

But

hope of meeting him

being dead, married
died

in

This

longest. It

the

character, that he
of

worth
had

he

' ^

was

so

de

Remusat
"

Polish

d'Omano

comment

more

alive

; but

object

to the
; at

attached

confirms

its

his

upon

time

this

at

' '

for

sad

never

adds

all

grand passion of Napoleon's

thoroughly

and

lady,

is

up

first husband

attachment

than

wife

his

seemed

Mme.

the

gave

1818.

year,

his

life,and

later

lasted

same

undoubtedly

was

Count

certain

she
her

again, and,

the

December,

Helena

great
time

no

to her.

this

the

story of

This

ing
extraordinary woodid not, however, prevent the young
lady from
to the Emperor, for their liaison
becoming attached
A son
was
prolonged during several campaigns.
became
the object of the hopes of
was
bom, who
:

..."

Poland.
The

loss

yesterday
*

February, immediately
had
of Eylau, Napoleon

^^

of
"

Consult

after

of

battle

his wife

the

etc.*

ninth

terrible

victory rested with

the

and

Lover

but

me,

which

enemy,

Napoleon,

written

to

friend, a great battle took place

My

the

is

I lost much
than

vastly more
for

Husband,"

particularsof this

strange affair.
"

The

admiration

to

He

heart.
returned.
was

the

her,

when

the

charms

She

of

of

consummation

and

his faithful

that
that

with

received

I observe

the

ardent

an

her

"

deep

impression

affection
the

for

Memoirs

(?)

of

Napoleon'
the Duke

she

whose

cordially
which

conquest
unshaken

of

Emperor's

It is needless

remained

of

the

on

of

tribute
one

was

her, which

homage

happiness
period

There

Poles.

attachment

at the

friend.

fair

pride

her

officers paid their

French

made

conceived

danger,
22

all the

fascinations

powerful

every

and

Emperor

reverses

of Bomgo,

to name

amidst
she

tinued
con-

338

JOSEPHINE,

ours,

does

with

my

order

It

was

battle

horrible

the dead

with

...

not leave

with
that
try
coun-

soul is sick at the

; my

Do
victims.
sight of so many
thee, all will be finished soon, and
of seeing thee I shall forget all my
Eussians
The
were
beaten, but

Bonaparte would

lines

; the

...

is covered

few

nearly dead
am
well, and

am

that

to tell thee

thee.

these

I write

me.

hand, though

own

fatigue, in
I love

console

not

grieve, I pray
in the happiness
fatigues."
not defeated, and
not

the field until he had

forced

Meanwhile, at Paris, Josephine

perial
had, by his orders, carried out her part in the imby entertaining at the Tuileries
programme
and
a
distinguished company.
Hearing that
gay
of the ateliers
the Empress
and
had
visited some
a

definitive

peace.

much

without

museums

and

ceremony,

in

style

comportable to her rank, he wrote her a letter of

reproach, in which, for the first time, he makes
of the
word
of the thou, which
instead
use
you,
in familiar
This lapse
his custom
intercourse.
was

not

his

from

accustomed

of

tone

afflictingto Josephine, who

he

redoubled
"

5th

of

vexed

his

tenderness

was

very

complained

of

it, and

in

attentions

the

letters

I have

received," said he, ^^thy letter of the

April, in which I see with pain that thou art
at something
said.
I have
Thy little
head is turned, thou art afflicted ! Well, we
.

Creole
will say

ing
follow-

no

more

about

it.

Thou
.

must

not

think

of

coming hither,that is impossible.

things I would
prefer to war,
many
be held above
everything else.
.

There
.

but

All
.

duty
my

are

must

life I

339

JOSEPHINE.

have
my

sacrificed

tranquillity,interest,happiness,

destiny."
His
destiny; it
which
the

He

was

in the

resounded
fate

then

that

deep

this

ever

was

was

ears

in his

'^

tiny,"
desimplacable
of Josephine, foreboding

hers

to be

with

amour

to

the

Countess

to Josephine
Walewski, but at this time he wrote
in a style that reminds
of those
letters from
one
in the first
he was
Italy, many
before, when
years
throes of his passion. Perhaps she was
vicariously
receiving a love that another was
usurping ? It did
her ; but it was
not deceive
accepted as a harbinger
^'I have
of a better
received
understanding.
I do not know
who
the objects of
are
thy letter.
little Josephine,
suspicions. I love only my
your
so
can
good, pouting, capricious,who
quarrel with
she does
such
even
as
everything ; because
grace,
she is always amiable, except when
she is jealous :
.

then

she

But

were

that

little devil."

imaginary evils,conjured up by the jealousy

to give place to real grief,
Josephine, were
swallowed

the

heart

up
of

in

the

tide

of

sorrow

that

the

Empress-mother, in the
of May.
For this month, the tidings came
the Prince-royal of Holland, the young
leon,
Napoof Hortense
and Louis Bonaparte, had died
son

swelled
month

these
of

and

becomes

of croup.

child, aged but five years, the

of the King and
eldest son
Queen of Holland, was
heir to the
looked upon
by Napoleon as the future
of France, in default of children by Josephthrone
This

promising

340

JOSEPHINE.

ine ; and

his

blow

could

that

have

in power
had

received

pet and

the

was

given

to her

consort

of

the

been
the

as

of

name

the

demise

unexpected

his

severest

hopes of
Napoleon.

august uncle,

tinuance
con-

He

his

was

thoughts, and was

greatly
and the Empress.
the Emperor
receiptof the distressingnews,
upon

object

of his

by both
Immediately
her
to be near
Josephine felt a strong inclination
On the
set out to seek her.
daughter and at once
however, she reflected that the Emperor would
way,
her leaving France, during his absence,
not sanction
the frontier,and addressed
and so she halted within
a
touching letter to her daughter, imploring her
I have
just arrived at the chateau
presence.
dear
of Lecken, near
Brussels, my
daughter, and
beloved

^'

I await

here

thy

thou

shouldst

leaving

the

But

having
Adieu, my
fatigue, but
accede

and

wish

with

tears

to

once

restore

to my

to

I would

hers.

mother

thy

see

continue

not
Emperor would
territoryof France
during
come

thus

dear

daughter

above

to

far

will

; I

am

to

me

existence, and

the

several

was

could

also

fear

at

is necessary

presence

mingle thy
but

Come

you.

life ;

It

approve
his

await

and
ther,
furmy

absence.

thee

here.
with

overcome

all with

grief."
days before the Queen
her

mother's

request

of Holland

and

join her,

meanwhile

the sad intellige

Bonaparte had received
that
heir in
of hope for an
deprived him
the line of descent
and his brother
through Hortense

Louis.
It

was

severe

blow

to

his

plans for the Napo-

341

JOSEPHINE.

leonic

succession

recovered

from

him

he

; but

from

this, as

misfortune

severe

every

; he

rallied

that

he

took
over-

Josephine no less than five

consolatory letters,advising her to forget her private
griefs in the exigencies of the occasion.
I can
understand
thy grief at the death of
I could
be near
the poor Napoleon ; I wish
to thee
Thou
hast
to assuage
had
the good
thy sorrow.
been
from
fortune
to have
the loss of thy
exempt
to

wrote

^'

children

it is

; but

condition

existence.

I
...

been
add

rational
to my

and

Hortense

May, where

arrived
she

hope

art well.

distress

attached
to learn

Wouldst

to

erable
mis-

our

that

thou

thou

willingly

hast

"

at

found

the

chateau

the

consolation

on

the

16th

of

that

only a
petrifiedher, she

give. Her grief had

was
suffering in that stony silence that forebodes
within
her
the worst
being received
; but
upon
and hearing the expressions of tenmother's
derness
arms,
which
she was
with
received, she burst into
found
and
her surcharged heart
relief.
tears
She
her
herself
mother's
threw
sobbing upon
breast,
the crisis was
and
passed which, the physician had
her existence.
declared, might have terminated
took
her
The
Empress
sorrowing daughter to
she strove
to divert her from
her grief.
Paris, where
But
which
she fell into a stupor of melancholy from
this stage, the
her.
At
it was
impossible to rescue
Emperor wrote her most affectionatelyto rallyfrom
mother

her

can

sorrow

to her

and

remember

that

surviving children

she

and

still owed
to her

thing
some-

family.

342

JOSEPHINE.

''My

Daughter,"
second

the

on

of

that

you

to

all, I

am

that

constrained

me

What

sorrow.

nobody,

Dantzic,

written

not

have

you

great

love

from

Napoleon,

''

June,

in your

single word,
tell me,

wrote

ent
indiffer-

are

believe

to

they

you

from

your

is not

what

silence.
''

This

is

this

well, Hortense,

not

is with
still. Your
son
promised. Your
you
and myself : are
mother
we
nothing to you ? Adieu,
daughter. Try to be cheerful ; it is necessary
my
to be resigned.
distressed
My wife is very much
add to her grief. Your
condition
at your
; do not
affectionate father,
you

''Napoleon."

In
blow

the

death

of

had

fallen

upon

the

them

Napoleonic succession

Napoleon

young

all ; the

seemed

terrible

last

hope of the
perished with

to have

him.*
situation of the

*"The

of the
to

Joseph,

had

pardoned.
through

Charles,
until

his

his

have

in his eyes

were

only

insane

jealousy refused

1802, Oct.

death

put
the

upon
he

when
declared

than

twenty

an

Feb., 1805,

that

protest againsther

end

was

all

to

fortunes

married

null and
years

10th,

void

old, without
Madame
son's

looked

upon

hopes,

5th

Patterson.

marriage
the

the

Letitia

marriage."

placed

His
the

as

had

The

law

by

of both

brother,
be

not

and

race,

Napoleon

son.

likely successor
An
was

quite
Sept.,

20th

of
a

tant
impor-

not

person

parents.

hands

ried
mar-

ed
contract-

could

1807.

Jerome

in the

was

Imperial

contracted

consent

ment
establish-

eldest

which

May,

Josephine.

the

Jerome,

misalliances

connivance.

of

Miss

; his

and

left to perpetuate

was

favor

Napoleon

children

Lucien

brothers,

did not

succession.

no

Louis

1792,
in

hereditary

could

sons;

which

bom

effect

twenty

who
no

marriages

he

of

principle

woman

Bonaparte family

of

It

less
was

notary

344

JOSEPHINE.

Hortense

been

had

ordered

her

physicians to
the waters
there,

by

Pyrenees, for the benefit of

and
thither
Josephine despatched an account
and
meeting of the two Emperors, of France
the

the

on

in the

raft

^^I

from

news

Emperor

Emperor.
Alexander, with

He

has

sent

the

late

events, and

was

the

was

the

in

first

They

of

that

at

the

he

often

of

is well

the

pleased.
witnessed

who

that

me

Hortense,

the

first interview

river

the

; the

armies

two

were

left

bank, respectively.
the
moment
two
Emperors
.

air

armies.

I shall

speaks

whom

they tell

the

and

embraced
both

dear

gentlemen

two

me

right

say

Eussia,

magnificent spectacle. The Emperor

to arrive
at the pavilion constructed

middle
the

upon

He

the

to

the

Nieman.

receiving frequently, my

am

of

the
was

That

rent

which

with

the

acclamations

interests

me

of

is that

most

in thy
Emperor.
Keep me
dear
thoughts, and believe, my
daughter, in the
continued
solicitude of thy mother."
At
the treaty of Tilsit,Napoleon may
be said to
have
been
at the apogee
of his glory and
power.
Notwithstanding the great events in which he was
indeed
he was
engaged, which
shaping, Napoleon
did not
neglect to write to Josephine frequently.
the same
On
day the treaty was
signed, in fact,he
despatched a tender epistleto his wife.
soon

see

the

''

July Uh, 180r," My friend

dined
with me
yesterday.
When
.

you

shall

; the

Queen

She
.

have

read

of Prussia

is very

able.
ami-

this letter the

345

JOSEPHINE.

peace

with

Prussia

and

concluded, and

Eussia

will

have

been

ready
al-

Jerome

recognized as King of
for
Westphalia, with 3,000,000 subjects. This news
thee alone.
Adieu, my friend, I love thee, and
wish to know
that thou art happy."
.

Three

in Paris, welcomed
Bonaparte was
by the transports of his loving people. One
imagine the joy of the Empress, after this long
may
and sorrowful
separation of ten months.
Her
doubts
set at rest, even
were
though her
husband
still filled with
was
thoughts of his high
thau
destiny. Destiny^ a word he had written more

weeks

later

once.

But

change in his affections ; lie

still regarded her with
tenderness, still surrounded
attention
her
with
jealous sentiments
; her
every
lulled
to rest, she lapsed into a feeling of
were
security.
from
After
his return
Tilsit the Emperor
devoted
all his time
affairs of France, and
to the internal
especiallyto the reorganization of his court.
six
five or
Since the fall of the monarchy, some
had
succeeded
neither
different governments
; but
of the Revolution
the rapid march
the horrors
nor
and
of events
during the Consulate
Directory, had
the memory
of the people all recollection
effaced from
of
the ancient
splendors and prestige of the
All the vast
royal court.
energies of the Emperor
directed
to
revival
of those
a
were
now
courtly
and usages,
monarchical
customs
instituby which
there

was

no

346

JOSEPHINE.

in the regard of
preserved and entrenched
the people.
The
throne once
sequence
firmly established, a natural con-

tions

are

of this

restoration

to

necessary
power.

who

did

not

hasten

feared

with

on

of

maintenance

to be

account

return

included

the
of

the

up
there

in its

numerous

of

the
sidered
con-

supreme
of

court

greatness
his

to

appanage

Although the newly-risen

held
even
was
ridiculed, and
noblesse, yet
by the ancienne
All-powerful by

and

the

brilliant

splendor and

traditional

was

to

leon
Napo-

tion
detesta-

were

few

tion.
reorganizahis

acter,
char-

victories,
the springs

profound understanding of
of human
motives. Napoleon did not doubt that his
in the rebecome
court
would
spect
firmly established
honored
of his people and
of
by the presence
the foreign ambassadors.
of the Consulate, in fact,
Since the establishment
he had
him
whatever
not ceased
to gather about
would
add
effect of his surto the brilliancy and
roundings.
We

have

gradual accretions to his little

the modest
bourg,
court, from
beginnings at the Luxemthrough the quasi-imperial receptions at the
Tuileries
and
Saint-Cloud, and
during the three
The
the formative
first was
just concluded.
years
period,and the second and accomplished achievement
terminated
at the end of 1807, or at the culmination
of his career
of glory.
We
tinued
rather, say that the first full period conmay,
and
be called the reign of
five years,
may
seen

the

347

JOSEPHINE.

the reign of Maria

Josephine ; the following, or
Louisa, from the year 1810 until his fall.
The
during the reign
period of ascendency was
of Josephine. To her was
given the glorious task
of restoring to France
the usages
and
traditional
her
of royalty. To
manners
tact, her ability,her
feminine
of pleasing and
reconciling the
power
of the new
incongruous elements
court, was
many
of the imperial
due the successful
re-establishment
regime.
It required all the genius of Napoleon and all the
and
address
of his accomplished
wonderful
tact
consort, to unite the old nobility with the parvenu
aristocracy created by Bonaparte.
His

most

cherished

elements

two

founded

claim

of

the

was

opposite

so

upon

idea

in

fusion

character

ancient

of these
;

the

one

ancestry, the other

it was
That
glorious achievements.
to the credit of the
accomplished, should redound
who
did it,of the one
thus
laid the
who
great man
foundation
for the reconciliation
of the opposite

based

upon

medium

the
Through
bridged the chasm
France

new

France.

in dismembered

classes

of

which

from

the

had

against each other

amity. The result was
in the

of manners,

and

the

There
of the

of

fusion
was

Bourbons

no

in

long separated

seen

had

that

battle, were

soon

now

in

the

extinguishment

parties.
longer any

; for the

so

court. Napoleon

old ; hands

raised
in

his

the

been

clasped
ration
amelioof

hates

pretext for the return

flower

of their

aristocracy

348

JOSBPHINB.

of Napoleon,
to the Court
might be found attached
the
of which
sufficient to
were
glitter and pomp
satisfythe most exacting Koyalist.
Independently of the great offices filled by Fesch,
Berthier,Duroc, Talleyrand, CaulaincourtandSegur,
there were
prising
appointed twenty court chamberlains, comin the Empire ;
of the greatest names
some
after these came
the prefects of the palace, three
in number
almoner, two equerries,and
pages
; an
to the number
of forty.
of the Empress
The
household
was
composed of
of the
the first almoner, a lady of honor, mistress
ladies of the palace {dames du
robes, and numerous
of
palais),wives of Napoleon's marshals, and some
Madame
the old nobility.
Bonaparte," says
of these same
Mme.
de Eemusat, one
ing,
ladies-in-waitfor a time by finding real
^^had her head turned
her ladies-in-waiting."
grandes dames
among
^^

An
of

establishment

Bonaparte,

likewise

'^

the

and

also

was

surrounded

the old regime

created

for the mother

was
Imperatrice-Mere,^^who
by aristocratic ladies,both of

modern

creation.

Regarding the jealousies and the heart-burnings

of these
grandes dames
subjected to attendance
the "parvenu emperor" and
his wife, sisters,
upon
and
shall be silent ; several
of them
mother, we
have
de
given their plaints to the world : as Mme.
Remusat
and the Duchess
teresti
ind'Abrantes, in whose
narratives

After

two

months'

much

absence

of

value

from

may

her

be

covered.
dis-

daughter,

349

JOSEPHINE.

Josephine
composed
Hortense

visited

her

in

and

Holland

the

; but

the

did

At

and

of

dare

not

the

the death

caused

had

The

Empress

Queen

him, fearing the effect

believed

retreat, finding her

health.

good
with

left her

her

at

husband

of

returned

to

accompany

climate, which

of her

eldest

she

son.

the

beginning of September, 1807, the court

was
numerous
transported to Fontainebleau, where
fetes were
given and diplomatic receptions held on a
One of the fetes was
grand scale.
given in honor
of the marriage of the new
king of Westphalia,
Jerome
of
Bonaparte, with the Princess Catherine
This
Wurtemburg.
marriage, which, like that of
the Prince Eugene
with the Princess of Bavaria, was
of policy,promoted by the ambition
of Napoleon,
one
in the end a happy one
neither had occawas
sion
; and
to regret the event.
It was
that Josephine rewhile at Fontainebleau
ceived
.

the

that

first intimation

than

her divorce

was

thing
any-

carefully-guarded, secret thought

of the Emperor,
in the proposition from
the wily
sacrifice
Fouche, minister of police,that she should
herself to the glory of France
and the best interests
of Bonaparte's family.
at
She was
amazed, and
first thought this man
but an
agent of Napoleon's,
sent to prepare
her
for the inevitable
change.
It was
true, as he urged, that she had given her
more

husband

no

heir

prospect favorable
heart
throne

was

and

to

the

to such

filled with
his

throne

glory

an

that

event

desire

the
to

successor

there

that

to

was

no

Napoleon's

transmit
of

his

his
own

350

JOSEPHINE.

; and

blood

that

gratifiedby the
regard.
It

was

the

would

highest ambition

sanction,

without

even

in this

minister

officious

the

that

be

only

of his desires

consummation

shown

soon

without

acted

his

the

had

edge,
knowl-

the
to sound
of his chief ; that he had wished
and
the subject of divorce
to
public opinion upon
prepare

for such

France

idea
the
promulgated
with the Grand-duchess,
well
idea
been

knew
of

the

devoted

of

Catherine
of

his love

to his best

alliance

an

repugnance

divorce, and

; and

event

an

of

of

the

for

that

But

He

Russia.

who

had

Napoleon

Emperor

one

interests.

he

to
had

the
ever

he conceived

the

libeled
both
project of forcing his hand, and
parties to this projected separation, by speaking of
it as an
eventuality likely to occur.
The
Empress, prostrated by this covert attack,
had
sacrifice she
would
no
replied that there was
for the good of France,
for her husband
not make
or
but gave
to her grief ; and one
day, finding her
way
in tears, Napoleon demanded
the cause.
She told him
manded
comfurious, and at once
; he was
the culpable Fouche
to come
before him,
threatened
to deprive him
of his position, and his
resentment
was
only calmed
by the interpositionof
his brothers

Fouche

Murat.

treated

his

Empress

with

character-

ingratitude ; but the result of his machinations

more
was
firmly the friendshipbeonly to cement
tween
the royal pair ; not then, at least,was
the act
of separation to be announced.
estic

had

and

351

JOSEPHINE.

reassured, Josephine was

last and
about
to send to her aged mother
most
a
she received
pressing invitation to join her, when
the afflicting
intelligenceof her demise.*
in her
did
Thus
alternate
life
joy and sadness
of happiness soon
the briefest interval
even
gave
place to grief.
forbade
her to put on
The
etiquette of the Court
of mourning, but she wept in secret
the habiliments
for this devoted
mother, the last link that united
Her

happiness

now

place her to the place of her birth.

forwarded
By the orders of Bonaparte, a letter was
to the high officials of Martinique, conveying his
for their attentions to Madame
de La-Pagerie
thanks
and
for their respect to her
in her last moments
that
He also ordered
a
piece of marble
memory.
and
be suitably engraved
should
or
placed above
her tomb, to indicate
the
last resting-placeof
near
the mother
of the Empress Josephine and
motherof France.
in-law of Bonaparte, Emperor
letter to her

"Josephine's last

mother.
17th

"Paris
"

My
"

the

embrace

Duquesne

send

to

hither

I returned

is well.
when

he

was

I had

returned
"

as

the

from

before

letter

letter

soon

to

the

by

greet

My

you.

health

the

first of

the

month.

from

him,

dated

the

side

other

the

of

departure

1st

Yarsovia,

M.

is

good.

The

peror
Em-

February,
the

sians
Rus-

him.
with

Hague,

that

Princess

and

Mayence

daughter

to the

I expect

you

forty leagues

some

my

afforded

opportunity

I received

retreating
"

February, 1807.

Ma]"ma.

deab

to

be

Eugene

Augusta

during

me

with

the

stay

my

to

; but

Mayence

she

King.

will present

is about

at

be

me

with

confined,

little

and

am

grandson,
in

daily

352

JOSEPHINE.

At

end

the

Bonaparte departed for

of Josephine to be allowed
entreaties
him
thither ; but making amends

November

of

the

Italy, refusing

to accompany
for his refusal

title of

the

This
two

was

to the

successor

; but

the less

none

that

such

gave

of

gratifying

to the

young

another

with

Tascher,

an

of

one

the

end

celebrated

was

niece

beautiful

and

January, 1808,
those fetes,balls, and
impulse to trade and

marriage

and

in

capital. Towards

the

to

gayety

the young
de

act

occasion

to Paris

at the Tuileries

commenced

month

Italy.
of nearly
Eugene's

his mother.

and

Napoleon returned

of

of

his

roy,
Vice-

the

son,

crown

of

the

before, upon

marriage

her

upon

tardy sanction

years

Prince

by bestowing

ceptions
re-

air

of the
that

of

of the

Empress, Mile,
princes of the Rhine

the

Confederation.

Scarcely had

attendant

fetes

been

mated,
consum-

the trouble

the succession
began over
with
the Spanish throne, and Bonaparte hastened

when

to

the

of

expectation
which
useful

to

Adieu,

my

hope

me

dear

you

to

This

good.
me

careful

hope

matter

too

glad

health,

your

and

be

daughter.

to be

which
for

me

that

assured
.

of

interested.

are

you

of

the

only compensates

sometimes,
your

to

only

am

in whom

persons
very

tenderly than

more

I
...

; be

of

I will attend

...

last letters.

and

mamma

Think

you.

event.

in your

colony

our

still continues

seeing
loves

wrote

you

of the

news

no

I
not
one

"Josephine."
This

letter could

in advance
will be

of her
that

seen

solicitous
in France.

as

not

have

demise,
to

to her

the

reached

which

last

welfare,

its intended

occurred

in

Josephine kept
and

desirous

recipient

June,
her

that

the

same

mother

she

should

long

very

It

year.

in

view,

come

was

to her

353

JOSEPHINB.

his wife

to

the

Spanish

frontier.

On

this

journey
assistance to Napoleon,
Josephine was of incalculable
at fetes and receptions,
attendance
by her unwearied
her
and
tact
adroitness, her pleasing manners.
There

was

no

indication

of

the

intentions

of Bonaparte

of

divorce, though it is possible

its necessity. At
he
had
already decided
upon
Bordeaux,
intelligence of the
Josephine received
birth of a third son
and
to Hortense
Louis, and on
the 23d April wrote
her an affectionate
letter of congratulation.
Two
she
days after another, in which
her daughter of Napoleon's satisfaction that
assures
in this matter

she
of

has

become

the mother

of

another

boy, instead

daughter.
Both
the Empress and
the Emperor
entertained,
without
doubt, the liveliest hopes that this son
the hope of the empire.
might eventually become
The
obstinacy of Louis, in refusing to his brother
the death
of their exvoice in his future, was
pectations.
any
a

returned

to Paris

in

dened
August, both with sadgence
intellispirits; for Bonaparte had received
the
defeat
of
of his troops in Spain ; and
heart
at her
that
Josephine already felt gnawing
presentiment of disaster that attended all the operations
of Bonaparte in the Spanish peninsula.
to
The Emperor
believed
his presence
necessary
in Spain, to avenge
this first
the safety of his army
he first attended
check
to his military fortune
; but
he
met
the
the
conference
at
Erfurth, where
and
the German
sovereigns.
Emperor Alexander

They

354

JOSEPHINE.

much
in
Josephine that he was
very
he
love with
a
woman
Alexander, and if he were
in
This
would
marriage.
surely seek his hand
far
from
agreeable to Josephine,
pleasantry was
that
to believe
the
she had
because
good reason
into more
to enter
desirous
Eussian
Emperor was
He

wrote

to

with

relations

intimate

In

alliance.
offered

and

Anne,

that

monial
matri-

fact, rumor

had

hand

sister,the Princess

the

Napoleon

through

Bonaparte,
of his

the

Emperor

had

from

Erfurth

the

it that

he

had

returned

not

positive answer.
his return

On
a

few

days

Paris, and
his

where

Spain,
needed.
the

in

of

Spanish wars,
her
only after

downward
have

not

us,

her

allowed
most

earnest
in

war

the

Spain,

parte's
beginning of Bonafor
But
Spain, there

the

was

career.

ensued

and

The

continuance.

towards

urgently
apprehension at

filled with

was

passed

most

the

Emperor to leave
protest against its
as
history has told
would

hastened

was

presence

Josephine

outcome

then

Emperor

the

Austrian

and

Eussian

complications ; in placing his brother upon the throne

him
of Spain and seeking to maintain
there by the
of bayonets, Bonaparte divided
his army,
tracted
dispower
himself
his people, brought down
the
upon
of England, of Portugal, and of Spain.
vengeance
at first filled
Napoleon's letters to his wife are
with

the

will

suffice,to show
at

driven

news

the

from

of

continued
the

opening
the throne

successes

of

manner

of

the

year

of France.

his

one

of

them

ence,
correspond-

in which

she

was

355

JOSEPHINE.

"

3d

January, 1809,

"

have

received,my

friend,

I am
thy letters of the 18th and 21st December.
The
weather
pursuing the Enghsh, sword in hand.
is cold and
rigorous, but everything is going well.
friend.
A
Adieu, my
Always thine.
happy
very
new
Josephine."
year to my
Moustache
9th January,
letter
a
brings me
I see, my
from
thee of the 31st.
friend,that thou art
Do
in a most
not
fear, Austria
melancholy state.
If she does, I have
will not declare war
against me.
in Germany
and
the
as
more
on
150,000 men
many
^'

"

and

Khine,
not

credulous.
to
...

But

reveal.
.

good, and I am
Josephine's
had

Germans

against me.
Everything
Paris
just as
I charge you

turn

return

400,000

The
is

fears

Eussia

Parisians

going

soon

be

to

on

as

are

think

My

will
crazy,

well.

careful

friend.

adieu, my
ever

call.

at

I shall
it

sary.
neces-

what

you

health

is

thine."
.

were

to thank

realized

soon

her

for

her

and

parte
Bona-

extraordinary
prevision. For Austria, though repeatedly beaten,
of
conquered, profiting by the absence
yet never
to declare
war
Bonaparte in Spain, took occasion
The
ion
Emperor's decisagainst her powerful enemy.
not more
was
and,
rapid than his movements,
his Spanish
seeing at once his mistake, he abandoned
operations and returned to Paris with all speed.
The
23d
of January, he was
again in the Tuilesufficed him
to put in operation
ries ; two
months
his
at
command.
all the
vast
enginery of war
to repent her hasty decision,
had cause
Austria
soon
cause

356

JOSEPHINE.

and

to lament

her

On

mistake.

the

13th

of

April

Bonaparte left Paris, taking the Empress with him

far as Strasburg, where
she had sojourned during
as
the Kussian
campaign, four years previously.
established
his
Four
days later Bonaparte had
that
headquarters, and two days after commenced
resulted in making him
short campaign
which
ter,
masfor the second
time, of the capital of Austria.
Some
twenty-five letters,written
by Napoleon to
in existence ;
his wife, during this campaign,
are
of them,
to quote from
but it is only necessary
a few
their character.
shorter
and
to show
They become
more
concise, the farther negotiations proceed with
the Court of Austria, and have
their value
tions
indicaas
of the writer's feelings at the time.
In his letter of the 6th of May, alluding to the
in the heel, he
report that he had been wounded
received thy letter.
writes :...''
My friend,I have
did not wound, only just
but
The ball touched
me
is good ;
My health
grazing the tendon Achilles.
to disquiet thyself. My affairs are
thou art wrong
in good shape.
Ever
thine."
several times
It is well known
that Bonaparte was
wounded
discovered
his
(as shown
on
by the scars
body after his death, at St. Helena), but that he
his wounds,
bravely concealed
fearing the effect
have
his soldiers,who believed him
they would
upon
invulnerable.
The

capture of Vienna
lines,as though it were
a
a

matter

of

course.

But

he

announced

foregone
the

in

conclusion

arrival

of

few
and

Prince

358

JOSEPHINE.

My losses
disorderly flight. Eugene is well.
plete.
considerable, but the victory is decisive and comare
have

We

taken

flags,and

twelve

more

many

thee.

friend ; I embrace
my
for Hortense."
On

13th

the

July,

than

hundred

one

prisoners.
Many loving
.

armistice

an

non,
can-

Adieu,

messages

concluded, and

was

between
the
negotiations entered upon for a peace
be more
two
permanent than
empires that should
preceded.
any that had
the
While
ing,
proceednegotiations for peace were
several
and which
consumed
months. Napoleon
phine,
and
at Vienna
resided
at
Schonbrunn, and Josefrom
Strasburg, retired to
having returned
she gave
herself up to the same
Malmaison, where
had
agitated her four
forebodings that
gloomy
before.

years

It

reflections
all

solelyan

not

was

but

now,

pointed

to

but

to the

succession

that

amour

gave

concatenation

solution

one

throne

in

of events

of
of

case

rise to

the

sad
that

problem

accident

to

of

its

present possessor.
The
spouse

recent
;

narrow

recent

more

necessity for
in evidence

escape

some

from

attempt

death

of her

at assassination

apparent heir to the throne

the

royal
; the

being

ing
seriously debatthe probable consequences,
should
Napoleon fall
the poignard
beneath
or
by a bullet from the enemy
of the assassin.
Wild
in the air, and
rumors
were
both
Bonaparte and Josephine were
cognizant of
them
and their import.
:

"

even

people

were

359

JOSEPHINE.

coolly discussed

Napoleon

he

from

alliance

should

be

certain

royal

his

heir

the

It

this

with

of

treaty
the

the

peace

the

21st

the

meet

The

his

people

to

of

the

the

ple
peo-

him

with

signed,

than

Kussia,

or

him.

The

October
of

note

Fontainebleau

at

there

deprive

alliance,

14th

friend,

fixed

became

offered

of

peace

three

on

lines

leave

in

the

26th

"

an

arrive

ringing

the

Austria,

the

on

''My

was

to
sweeter

; not

legitimate

matrimonial

addressed

returned

Napoleon

and

divorce

signed

was

me

peace

of

practically

Emperor

I shall

27th

him

for

negotiating

house

been

hour.

was

maintain

and

direct

upon

Josephine:

to

with

If

it

time,

perish

no

idea

royal

had

of which

both

short,

decided

Napoleon

either

this

rallying-point

no

time, while

that

Schonbrunn,
and

families.

royal

assume

ing
result-

throne.

at

was

was

"

the

would

every

advantages

life, at

could

in

France,

to

of

djmasty

there

of

in

probabilities

possible

one

deprived

brothers

state

of

with

his

that
of

one

the

calculated

and

event,

the

to
in

the

ladies

divorce

was

France,
his

ears

himself

the

of

on

of

Court."

the

decided

with

the

but

with

the

music

of

the

acclamations

upon

plaudits

of

or

the

of

mination
detera

voice

tude.
multi-

360

JOSEPHINE.

XXVI.

CHAPTER

DIVORCE.

did not march

rapidlythan Napoleon
his journey, that he arrived
He so hastened
himself.
of October, early in
the 26th
at Fontainebleau
on
the morning, before
Josephine and her ladies had
even
departed from Saint Cloud.
A messenger
was
despatched to apprise her of his
arrival,and she hastened to meet him ; but his anger
such
that at first he avoided
was
her, and for a time
Events

cold

was

about

into

cloud
tears

which

He

had

into

burst

so

is

'^It

you

had

had

returned

had

come

the

tie that

to the

been

never

hitherto

been

before.

such

solace and

but

tion.
recrea-

gloomy, for he

determination
even

was

frequently lapsed
intimate
ship
companion-

triumphant
them,

them

; she

that

unalterable

united

was

Napoleon's heart
forget his rudeness.

avoided

they

tears, when

his brow

sat upon

come,

Cloud."

he

that

are

time.

begged her to
friends
again, but between

were

constraint
A

for Saint

setting out

relented, and

They

And

curtly said.

he

Josephine

*^

indifferent.

and

madame,"

more

though

to

well

sever

aware

361

JOSEPHINE.

that

it would

devoted

break

this fond

heart

which

had

been

to him

during the past thirteen years.

It was
which
his destiny thus he reasoned
pelled
comloved him
this separation from
who
one
as
a
and
had
shared
with
not
as
sovereign ; who
man,
him
the glory of his achievements, who
had
been
the crowning charm
of his life.
It was
not
to Josephine : this apparition of
new
divorce ; during several years of her marriage it had
her existence, had
shadowed
presented itself before
her in every
variety of form.
It had been urged upon
Bonaparte by his family,
whose
and
illintense
jealousy of Josephine was
to her
concealed, their antipathy extending even
"

"

children.
It

from
the return
on
urged by them
Egypt,
at the beginning of the Consulate
for life,preceding
the Coronation, and
after
the peace
of Tilsit ;
but Napoleon had
nobly protected his wife.
Since, however, the death of the Prince-royal of
tained
Holland, or for the two years past, he had enterthe suggestion that
been
previously had
indignantly repelled.

The
vivid

was

advances

of

Russia

at

Erfurth

had

made

and
his amour-propre,
impression upon
may
have
that no
alliance was
given him the assurance
too lofty for him
to aspire to.
from
His narrow
paign,
death, in the last camescape
have
the
must
brought vividly before him
fully
futilityof all his plans, the unstability of his care-builded throne, if he should die without
a legit-

362

JOSEPHINE.

imate
it is

; the

successor

than

more

probable

of the peace
he

could

another

which
these

that

present union,

might give him ;" all

him
the
to impress upon
to his high destiny and

fortunate

more

united

circumstances

necessity for divorce,

the

his

from

ing
sign-

certitude

the

; and

heir

an

at the

suggested

were

of Vienna

expect

never

prospects, which

matrimonial

due

as

of France/

repose

the grief
Emperor feared to excite anew
her
and fears of Josephine, and he dreaded
to meet
He
could
not bear to see
reproaches and her tears.
her suffer, he was
pained at sight of her tears ; this
before whom
all Europe was
ble
then in humeven
man,
shrank
from
obeisance
to her
communicating

But

the

the decision

to

It

wliile

was

Paris,

at

Napcleon

idea

Schonbrunn.

to her.

He

of tears.

He

Empress,
whom
who

hinted

had

he

grateful

He

not

of

Empress,

acted

as

arranged
whom

of the

that

join

to

on

that
and

like

occasion
to

explanations

painful

to him

whatever
he

as

related
made

her
a

was

of

reluctant

towards

ding
shed-

the

the

consent

kind

to

first person
for that
and

son

partner

whose
The

ter
bitman

him
moval
re-

peror,
Em-

condition

of

settlement,urged

the

the

liberal

the

roy,
Vice-

of the

affecting.

it was

fered
of-

bleau.
Fontaine-

addressed

arrival

to

of her

service, by sparing

his

to

he
mode

quitting

was

obtained

devoted

the
He

was

tioned,
men-

opportunity

had

he

until

him.

and

his

to

return

consequences

favorable

which

himself

best

proof against

never

was

words

explain

unpleasant

upon

few

to his mother

sacrifice

having
the

at it in

he
still,

subject previously

to his benefactor

necessity
was

his heart

ordered

spoke openly
sacrifice.

the

the

he did

but

Empress

vhile

the

on

his

divorcu

the
mind

Emperor's

apprehensive

was

heard

reflected

often

thought, however,

breaking

for

Fontainebleau, before
the

to the

susceptibilityof fooling ;

arrived.*

first time

to

Napoleon

Ho

...

the

'occurred

this commimicction

making

speak

had

at

was

for

Josephinj

that

; the

he had

at which

future

363

JOSEPHINE.

But

this

could

One
long endure.
after
day, the last of November,
a gloomy
repast,
neither
at which
so
spoke, the sword
long suspended
above
her head
the tie that for so
fell,and sevored
had held these two together.
many
years
to follow,
Instinctively apprehending what was

Josephine
His

look

suspense

followed

her

not

husband

into

his

cabinet.

stern, and her heart quailed before it.

of derness,
tenapproaching her, he said, with accents

But

was

'^Josephine, my
how

much

alone, I
in

have

dear

loved

Josephine,

you

that

know

you

to you,

to you

the littlo happiness I have

owe

this world.

But, Josephine,

experienced
destiny is more

my

powerful than my will ; my dearest affections must

yield to the interests of France
the victim
of his ambition;
Say no more," faltered
"

'^

^^say

of the

moriGnt

the

griev^edat
and

dissolution
condition

descent

Empress

which

custom

from

this

his

case

of
who
was

presence

of persons

the

been

than

fixed

Emperor

ministry

he

had

day

ing
witness-

him

and

the

to

the

according
Now,

the

law

particular
brought together

Emperor
in

every

were

contracts.

declared

then

annulling the marriage

the
whose

persons

who
between

marriage.

marriage

upon,

dined

civil act,

of his

time

of such

those

The

bond

the

at

existed

There

felt

loud

contracted

required in

was

his

voice

with

tention
in-

Josephine,

the same
declaration, which
present ; the Empress also made
Arch-Chancellor
The
Prince
interrupted by her repeated sobs.

was

having
case

in

throne.

he

because

herself, v/ho

the dissolution

apartments

doubt

no

Empress

prevailed

foreseen

marriage,

expected this;

of the

other

no

day having therefore

into

of the

the

Josephine

I have

more;

passed her evenings

her

had

no

caused

before

of the

Due

the

article

him, and
de

Rovigo.

of the

declared

the

law

to

be

marriage

read, he
to

be

applied it

dissolved."

"

to

the

^Mem.

364

JOSEPHINE.

understand, I

motives,

your

^but,

"

the less mortal."

is not

the stroke

appreciate

can

the

insensible, and

Emperor,
of the palace, and
alarmed, called the chamberlain
the Empress
bore
to her
the court
physician, who
she lay unconscious, and
hours
Three
apartments.
greater than Bonaduring that time no anxiety was
aparte's,who doubtless felt as keenly as she the fatal
She

thrust

her

needed

their

divided
at

then

was

united

hitherto

which

she

gave
much

so

hers

loving heart, at least,was

one

lives.

Fontainebleau, and

consolation

the

mother
;

floor

had

that

Hortense
to

the

fell to

to

rest

upon.

Eecovered

from

first

this

shock, Josephine was

of the
no
longer the gay and joyous companion
the gloomiest
Emperor, animating by her presence
of his melancholy days.
She
was
subdued, griefstricken,passing whole
nights in tears ; yet, in the
of

company

her

in honor

herself

with

Hortense

Eugene was
de-grace.
Both
their

was

with

her

summoned

and

stepfather that

should

be

at

fetes

the

that

ceeded
suc-

she conducted
Napoleon's victories,
dignity and apparent cheerfulness.

Hortense

leave

and

of

all claim
not

ladies

their

upon
mother's

sent, thither

when

from

the

blow

descended

Italy to give

the

coup-

to assure
hastened
Eugene
thenceforth
nounce
rethey would
his bounty ; that
they could

wherever

side ; that

they would

Napoleon, who loved these children

earnestly desired their well-being,

accompany
as

his own,

dissuaded

she

her.
and
them

JOSEPHINE.

for

Meanwhile,
placed me.
dren
given up all hopes of chil-

Providence

which

upon

I have

years,

many

has

by my marriage with
the Empress Josephine ; and
sacrifice the

to

me

to consider
a

of

dissolution
^'

Arrived

please

Providence

such

resolution

it be
'^

proved

has

but

for the

of my

attachment

thirteen

will

add

crowned
rank

by

desire

that

dearest
He

years

filled
closed

nor

on

shall

regard

never
me

heart.

shall

always

as

but,

above

doubt

my

other

than

if

any

ing
noth-

devoted
has

riched
en-

remembrance

my

on

having

She

life ; their

no

of France.

and

wife.

is

make,

not

from

tenderness

; she

there

contrary, I have

well-beloved

Empress

; but

interests

the

of my

it may
knows
what

I would

that, far

the

hand

my

she

her,

heart

best

engraved

title of

and

years

forever

be

desire

which

God

me.

great, which

duty to
complaint
praise for

for

subjects, and

with

cost my

It is my

cause

of

bless

to

to be

heart,

sonably
forty years, I may realiving long enough to

children

the

sacrifice,however

of my

of

age

hope

guide

and

rear

induces

marriage.

at the

indulge

this it is which

good of my

our

now

spouse,

affections

sweetest

the

only

well-beloved

my

She

was

retain

the

all, it is my

feelings
her

best

wards
to-

and

friend."
cast

upon

his

and

when

he

companion
made

mention

look

of
of

tender

those

gard,
re-

happy

edged
they had passed together (too late he acknowlthe happiest of his life),
his eyes
they were
and
his voice
with
failed him, as
tears
he
his remarks.

367

JOSEPHINE.

Josephine's sweet
in accents

voice

that

heard

then

was

Hngered

in

in

Napoleon's

sponse,
re-

ory
mem-

exile on
of
the rock
an
long years after, when
Saint
to the
that
act
Helena, giving her assent
earth
could
stow.
bedeprived her of the highest honor

She

declared

of her

her
and

spouse

willingness to submit to the will

of the people, and
the desires
to

and
devotion
in
proof of her attachment
the
be
asked.
Her
greatest sacrifice that could
voice
failed, and then, after in vain attempting to
the paper
to the secretary of
continue, she handed
read it for her, in a voice trembling with
state,who
emotion.
I owe
everything to his bounty ; it

give

this

'^

is his hand

height

that

of the

crowned

that

me,

throne.
...

raised

to the

me

ments
respond to all the sentisolution
consenting to the dis-

Emperor, in
of a
is an
henceforth
marriage which
obstacle
to the happiness of France, by depriving
it of the blessing of being one
day governed by
of that
the
descendants
so
great man,
evidently
raised up by Providence
to efface the evils of a terrible
revolution
and
the
restore
altar, the throne,
of

and

social

the

will in
heart

and

; the

truest

But

order.
no

friend.

by policy
which
Later

we

make
in the

the

respect change
will

Emperor

cossb his heart

dissolution

the

I know
and

how

both

to the

good

in

much
exalted

such

we

; but

sentiments

find

ever

glory
of

day the decree

our

of

of

in

me

this

riage
mar-

my

of my
his

best

manded
act, com-

interests,has
the

sacrifices

country."
the senate, which

368

JOSEPHINE.

act of

proclaimed the
the

by

there

he

sad, where

for

unhappy fate.
his cabinet, silent and
tion,
reflecsat in gloomy

to
time

supported upon
while
morning,
the Emperer
convey

his hand.

his head
The

next

waiting

to

whither

he

seized

he

^^

Meneval,
He

led

cabinet

decided

had

his

the

to

for rest and

said

and

by the
apartment

way

the

to

in
carriages were
the Petit Trianon,

to

his

tion,
reflec-

secretary,

me."

with

Come

the

to retreat

hat

signed
Josephine
emotion,

her

over

long

with

faint

apartments,

returned

Emperor

then

and

Empress,

in secret

to weep

The

her

to

taken

was

and

Emperor

dissolved, was

marriage

secret

of

from

passage

his

the

He

Empress.
there, alone, and in

tears.
opened the door ; she was
and
At sight of the Emperor she arose
cast herself
his breast, sobbing as if her heart would
break.
upon
For a few minutes
the unhappy
couple stood there,
locked in loving embrace, then Bonaparte summoned
her
her
into
their
attendants, delivered
charge,
his carriage, and
was
hastily withdrew, entered
whirled

away.

Hortense

and

soon
Eugene
apartment, and finallysucceeded
of the Empress, who
was

for the
For

her

at

final
the

adieu, and
at

time, many
height of her

to solicit the

Malmaison.

demonstration

entered

in

calming
obliged to

the

the

tation
agi-

prepare

farewells.

last

the

after

She
of

was

of those

of

to

sharing

affected

affection,but

had

came

power,

honor

who

to

known
bid

her

tears

attended

her

court
at
to

this
her

369

JOSEPHINE.

duties

dignity, and

with

by
Mahnaison,

her

of all

scenes

'For the

regret
heart

and

son

in

the

afternoon, accompanied
daughter, set out for

her

eternal
farewell
bidding an
her glory at the Tuileries.

crown

had

she

; for the

spouse

lost she

who

felt not

had

the

bestowed

to

the

est
slightit her

breaking.
But if he finds happiness thereby," she said, I
shall never
regret the sacrifice I have made."
The
concluding act of this great sacrifice was
formed
perin the senate, where
high tribute was
paid
Before
to the
the senators
Empress.
assembled,
that
had
actuated
Eugene declared the sentiments
him
and his sister in giving their adhesion
to the
of Napoleon.
cause
sister,and
"My
mother, my
myself," he said, owe
everything to the Emperor.
He has been to us
always a loving father ; he will
find in us devoted children
and submissive
subjects.
When
mother
was
crowned, in the eyes of
my
the nation, and at the hands
of her august spouse,
she tacitlycontracted
the obligation to sacrifice her
was

''

"

"

affections

own

She

interests

and

to

has

the

interests

of

with
complied, with
courage,
She will view, with
nobility,and with dignity.
feelings of pride and satisfaction,whatever
may
the
redound
to the happiness of her country and
Emperor."
clared
In an
eloquent harangue, the Count Lacepede dethat posterity would
associate the name
ever
of Josephine with the immortal
deeds of Napoleon.
France.

The

senate
24

decreed

370

JOSEPHINE.

the

between

contract

marriage

I. The

Emperor

Empress Josephine is dissolved.

II. The
Empress Josephine shall retain the title
and rank of Empress-Queen Crowned.

Napoleon

and

III. Her

the

allowance

IV.

at

an

annual

payment

francs, out of the public treasury.

million

of two

is fixed

provisionsthe Emperor shall make

the Empress Josephine, out of the funds
sors.
list,shall be obligatory upon his succes-

Whatever
of

in favor

of the civil

decree

The

of

the

senate

Emperor

and

Empress

their love

and

their

transmitted

was

to

the

and
by special messenger,
In the address
addresses.
also two
to the Empress,
reaffirmed
their appreciation of the
the
senators
for France, declaring
made
sacrifice Josephine had
that history would
keep it in eternal remembrance.
The
for years
had
revered
hor
people of France
the sublime
virtues ; they would
admire
ever
many
of this last act of hers, which
devotion
had
sealed

This

the last

respect.

public communication

received

by
Josephine from the State ; but it was
a
convincing
of the regard in which
testimonial
held
she was
by
all ; a flatteringtribute to her
character
stone
; the capwas

to the
To

raised

by

exemplary life.
added
by Napoleon
her

gift of the senate, was

the extensive
property of Malmaison,
million
Navarre, and another
from
she
the

the

monument

also

the

the

chateau

of

civil list ;

in Paris, at
privilegedto reside, when
Palace of the Elysee ; thus had the Emperor fulfilled
his promise to bestow
her the magnifiupon

was

371

JOSEPHINB.

that

cence

had

raised

The

the

high rank

which

to

he

her.

royal pair had

remain

they

the

pertained to

separated,

but

not

yet could

apart ; on the very next morning

to Malmaison,
Bonaparte sought

removal

wife, still weeping

after
his

out

her

gether
irreparable loss. Tothey walked the alleysof Malmaison, together
talked
forever
of the pleasures now
past ; they were
still friends ; no
than
that : no
more
longer man
and wife,
as
Napoleon delicatelyconveyed to her,
and
he took
her
at meeting
parting, when
hand,
embracing her.
pressed it,but without
On his return
to Trianon, that same
evening, he
over

"

her

addressed
of

tenderness

the

union.

of

*'My friend,"
than

weaker
show

shouldst
for

letter

more

thy health,

Thou

not

canst

friendship.
dream

of

me.

for

her

the
it

thou

happiest days
began, *'I found

which
doubt

Adieu,

have

shouldst

and

courage

is

so

my
my

full

encouragement,

of
thee

been.
above
to

constant

and

friend

day
to-

Thou
all

precious

their

care

me.
.

sleep

sincere
well

Napoleon."

that
followed
the
Every day during the month
letter or
visit
a
a
divorce, the Empress received
The
from
courtiers, seeing her still in
Bonaparte.
receipt of imperial favors, and taking their cue from
of Malmaison
their royal master, thronged the courts
of yore.
out of regard
as
Some, however, came
mistress

; but

for their

former

these

comparatively few, and Josephine was

rather sad than happy by their presence.

were

rendered

queen

and

beloved

372

JOSEPHINE.

has published some

twentyQueen Hortense
ing
three letters,written
by Napoleon to Josephine durthe
months
intervening between
the three
his second
and
divorce
They are all of
marriage.
and
affectionate
like tender
nature, and betray the
real feelings of the Emperor,
clearly showing that
he claimed, demanded
the divorce
by policy,
as
was,
The

and
"

not

by sentiment.
received

I have

tells

me

it makes

that
me

he

thee

found

sad.
.

after
lonely (he wrote
this great palace is so
not seeing thee."
The

visits to

friend.

thy letter,my
in

tears

Sleep well.
returning
vast

Malmaison

and

; that

I
...

to

Savary

the

vacant

is bad
was

very

Tuileries),
I am
sad,

intermitted, and

were

He wrote
: '^I wish
Josephine sadly complained.
to go
to Malmaison,
but
be calm
; the
very much
in tears.
told me
this morning that thou wert
page
all alone.
I dine
friend ; do not ever
Adieu, my
doubt
thee."
feelings towards
my
ances,
assurBut, notwithstanding all these amicable
the report was
that it was
spread abroad
his wife
far from
to banish
Napoleon's intention
France.
This came
of Josephine, and
to the ears
of Bonaparte that she be allowed
she demanded
to
in the Elysee ; considering that his
reside a while
of the
be equivalent to a refutation
consent
would
charges. This consent he not only freely gave, but
sent

thither

such

articles

Tuileries,including
of gold, presented to

as

she

had

left

at

the

magnificent toilet-service
her by the city of Paris ^ and

the

374

JOSEPHINE.

commented

upon
of her

wounding
side

upon

her

claims

upon

afresh

wounded

doubtless

and

him

it with
But

throne.

the

to his

before

to the

at

when

Navarre

wherewith
for

she

the

she

letter

scarcely habitable,

not

had
she

of
was

but

she

was

forgetfulness on
unchanged, she

securing
renounced

of

his

herself

to

proof

schooled

for

had

she

leaving Malmaison,

Arrived

means

scheme

friendship,and

answer

an

the

; but

spouse

thought

the

at

her

as

Her

part.

reconcile

they were
exaggerated, to the

heart.

sensitive

regard for him

had
accepted his marriage as
integrity of intention
; she had
his

where

her place by his

courageously renounced
abandoned
forever
the throne, she had

had

She

Navarre,

at

reported

promptly

an

heir

to

all claim

days passed without

written, a few days
became

alarmed.

and
had

to make

finding the chateau

written
to Napoleon for
the indispensable repairs;

to Malmaison.
permission to return
No
then
grossed
enreply being made, as the Emperor was
in this new
and
absorbing passion for Marie
in proportion to the
Louise, Josephine'sfears grew
continued
it a prossilence,and she augured from
pective
her
exile, not only from
Paris, but from
to
beloved
She
France, as well.
pressed her son
audience
of the
obtain
Emperor, and ascertain if
to Malmaison, regarding his reply
she might return
of his intentions
the touchstone
as
respecting her
His
exile.
reply, according to her all she desired,
set her fears at rest, and assuaged her grief.
This
of the three
negotiation led to the passage
in

default,

375

JOSEPHINE.

letters

following, between

which

the last

are

shall

we

Josephine and Napoleon,

submit
of their long-continued

which
correspondence ; and
present more
clearlythan anything else their situation and respective
sentiments
during this first year of their divorce.
The
first written
by Josephine in acknowledgment
of his favor, and laboriouslyprepared, doubtless
after
affects
been

consultation

with

the

the official form, which

used

ladies

silence of

I have

Sire.

by the hand

received

...

that

assurance

Malmaison,

to

complete

This
the

double

had

banished

from

"

I shall
since

intention

Malmaison,

Your

shall

live

from

Paris.

as

if I

son

to

silence

the

feared

I had

; I

remembrance

my
essary
nec-

at the

Majesty
the

has

there

may

for Malmaison,

short

thousand

be

pier
hap-

even

time
I

But, while

waters.

Majesty
were

very

that

see

objection.

no

entirely

now

of the month

end

of Your

was

"

is to reside
for

go

which

fears

to-day less unhappy

thought it possible to be.

Your

away

to

of my

consents

am

leave

1810.

of Navarre.
repairs of the chateau
in great part
favor, sire,dissipates

your

I had

than

the

grants the advances

and

inspired.

not, and

am

Majesty

sidered
con-

the

and

uneasiness

Majesty
I

Your

to

return

never

April,

19th

"Navabbe,

the

had

then

until

court,

she may
have
by either, but which
demanded
by her novel position and
the Emperor.

as

"

of her

assured

My

; then

at

am

that

leagues distant

...

''

shall

happiness.

not

cease

to

pray

for Your

Majesty's

Josephine.

"

376

JOSEPHINE.

Emperor's reply.

The

"

^*

Friend

My

the letter of the

received

I have

April, 1810.

21st

CoMPiEGNE,

nme-

permit me to say it is in very bad style. I

I do
likes never
change.
am
always the same
; my
have
said to thee, but
what
not know
Eugene
may
shouldst
have
thou
known
I did not write, because
teenth

would

that

would

whatever

approve

be

able
agree-

to thee.
^'

with

see

maison, and
be

pleasure that thou art going

art pleased ; as for me
that thou

to receive

happy

I say

mine.

no

more,

this letter

with

thee

only ask
thine, and
is the

which

to declare

from

news

and

Mal-

to

I shall

to send

thee

that

thou

wilt

after

that

I leave

pare
com-

to

friendly,thine or
of thyAdieu, my friend ; take the best care
self,
and try to judge impartially.

thee
mine.

most

"Napoleon."
With

what

this
happiness Josephine received
tender epistlemay
be seen
in which
by her response,
her overflowing heart expressed itself.
.

''

thousand
me.

what

ardor

thousand

My
I

son

thanks

brought

devoured

its

for not

me

thy

contents

gotten
having for-

not

these
"

tears
I shall

word
were

be in

that
tears

did
of

not

make

joy, and

With

letter.

There

!
.

was

me

; but

weep

sweet.

despair,lest my letter
shall have
I
displeased thee.
exactly my expressions,but I remember

of

the

cannot
the

teenth
nine-

recall

painful

377

JOSEPHINE.

sentiments

that

heard

Thine
be

from

silence

thy

thee.
I feared

and
been

has

and

happy,

heart

dictated

for my
all thou

receive

wishes

it.
.

thee

to trouble

balm

it ; my chagrin at not
But
I knew
the reasons

Adieu,

tenderly,as I shall

with

hurt.

letter.
thou

whole

; my

friend

my

for

Mayest

meritest

love

ever

thee

ing
hav-

thank

thee.
^'Josephine."

Comment

these

upon

letters is unnecessary,
nay,
the existing relations
show
tween
be-

superfluous, for they

these
of

the

tie

two, their mutual

that

bound

them

affection,the
together, and

nature

which

naught but death could separate.

in the first part
to Malmaison
Josephine returned
of May, while the Emperor
and his wife were
absent
of the north.
on
a visit to the departments
During his journey Napoleon wrote her briefly:
.

*'

I desire

to

Malmaison
Do

thee

see

end

at the

much.

very

of the

If

thou

art

at

I shall call.

month,

regard for thee."

The
the visit
Emperor kept his word, but made
in secret, out of regard for his new
was
wife, who
beginning to experience a feeling of jealousy at the
doubt

not

frequent

communications

discarded
In

to

I had

husband

his

with

was

yesterday

came

to

seem

to have

see

daughter, Josephine recounted

her

this visit,which
'^

of her

spouse.

letter

my

me.

the

on

the twelfth

of June.
.

happy day, for the Emperor

During the time he is here I

very
.

courage

to

withhold

my

tears,but

378

as

JOSEPHINE.

they will

burst

forth, and

am

unhappy.

very
'^

is gone

he

as

soon

He

was

only hope
and

as

that

agreeable

good and
he

in

saw

with

devotion

my

heart

which

usual,

as

all

the

and
derness
ten-

it is filled for

him."

Josephine
she

soon

sought the

informed

was

Holland,

and

where

of

the
her

of

Aix, where
of the King
abdication
of
daughter, the Queen, soon
waters

joined her, with her two sons.

of Josephine from
During this absence
France,
the
Emperor, as though desirous of honoring her
the marriage
family through her relatives,consummated
of the young
aide-de-camp, Louis de Tascher,
with the Princess
father was
a member
Amelia, whose
This union, which
of the Ehine
Confederation.
became
a
happy one, had a sad beginning, in
very
death
the
of the Princess's
mother, from injuries
received at the Austrian
Ambassador's
ball,in July.
She survived
but a few days, but
her death
before
riage
expressed her satisfaction at the approaching marof her daughter with the cousin-german of the
Empress Josephine.
But these attentions, and the affection manifested
by Napoleon for his f omer
wife, aroused the jealousy
of Marie
of person
her charms
Louise, who, whatever
and
the
not
character, had
lofty, self-sacrificing
characteristics of Josephine.
dispositionand amiable
after

She

could

not

understand

the
friendship,and doubted
a
love, a
friendshipwithout

the
evidence

nature
that

of

their

assumed

strong affection

with-

879

JOSEPHINE.

compromising

out

attentions, on

the

side

one

the

or

other.
the

Notwithstanding

visits to

his

to conceal

he

Empress,
compelled to

was

order

discontinued

the

his
from

first wife

Soon

to her

ceased

had

established

the tent

repaired to Malmaison
drawing-room, where

; I

In

his visits and

then

there

were

Geneva, where

herself

and

reproaches.

of Lake

borders

of them

aware

correspondence
the

the knowledge

for the

after, Bourrienne, writing of

**

says

submit

by the Emperor
from

became

her, the Emperor

to calm

complaints

Malmaison

she

of the

taken

care

season.

this

period,

ushered

was

into

I found

Josephine and
When
I entered
Hortense.
out
Josephine stretched
her
friend.'
to me
hand
These
saying, *Ah, my
she pronounced with deep emotion, and tears
words
from
prevented her
continuing.
Josephine
Duroc
had
confirmed
what
told me
respecting the
two
apartments at Pontainebleau
; then, coming to
the period when
Bonaparte had declared to her the
On
the
necessity of a separation, she said :
30th of November
were
we
dining together as usual,
I had not uttered
a word
during that sad dinner, and
silence
of the servhe had broken
ants
only to ask one
what
o'clock
it was.
As
soon
as
Bonaparte
his coffee,he dismissed
had taken
all the attendants,
.

'

and

remained
of

his

his

mind, and

stepped
shuddered

alone

up
; he

him.

what

countenance

knew
to

with

me

took

that
"

my

my

hour

saw

in

the

was

passing

was

come.

pression
ex-

in

He

I
trembling, and
hand, pressed it to his heart,

he

was

380

JOSEPHINE.

and
he

after

gazing

Josephine,

you

To

you

to

you,

alone, I

'^

not

in silence

moments

few

Josephine,

the

owe

in this

tasted

affections

dearest

loved

I have

how

destiny is

my

My

know

I have

happiness

for

me

fatal words

these

uttered

at

you

only
world.

yield to

....

of

moments

phine,
But, Joseby my will.

to be controlled

must

dear

my

the

interests

of

France."
"

'

'^

; I

you

Say no more," I exclaimed,

expected this, but the blow
I could

mortal."

not

say

another

'^

I understand

is not

word

the

; I know

less
not

to lose my
reason
happened after, I seemed
; I
I found
became
insensible,and when I recovered
self
myin my
in
chamber.
to see
me
Bonaparte came
I describe
the evening ; and, oh, Bourrienne, how can
I felt at the sight of him
to you what
the
; even

what

he

interest

cruelty.

for

Alas
.

becoming

ever
**

evinced

I knew

me

I had
...

an

not what

seemed

good

additional

an

to

reason

fear

Empress.'
consolation

to offer to

Josephine ;
and knowing
I did the natural
as
lightness of her
have been
character, I should
surprised to find her
grief so acute, after the lapse of a year, had I not
been
that
there
certain
chords
aware
are
which,
in the
when
to vibrate
struck, do not speedily cease
heart

of

woman.

Though

than

more

month
twelve-

elapsed since the divorce, grief still

cannot
You
ceive,
conpreyed on the heart of Josephine.
all the torments
friend,' she often said to me,
my
I
fatal day.
that I have
suffered
since that
cannot
the first
it. And
imagine how I survived
had

382

JOSEPHINE.

mind
*

after

Junot,

Madame

heard

have

interval

an

of

four-and-twenty

entreat

relating

to

you

to

ask

me.

tell
it

all you

me
as

years

special

they all desire to ruin me,

Hortense, and my Eugene.'
my
the greatest anxiety: her lips
^^She spoke with
dame
Madamp and cold.
trembled, and her hands were
I say to you
what
Junot,' she said, remember
that this separation will be my
this day : remember
death, and it is they who will have killed me.
favor

that

know

you

"

'

life,and

much

appeared
than

at

than

more

has

he

which

that I love him

witness

is my

God

Yet

me.'

given

that

If

moment.

summing

that

divorce

"I

went
with

had

desired

be

must

again
my

never

Empress

never

have

to

added

to

Malmaison

my

crown,

may

have

attractive,

more

Napoleon had

misfortunes

the

up

throne, that

The

beautiful,but

more

then, surely he could

in

that

than

more

seen

her

divorced

her.

Ah,

of this

fatal

year,

render

them

few

littleJosephine,whom

her

plete.
com-

wards
days aftergod-mother

alone
bring ; this time, as I was
with her, she did not scruple to open all the sorrows
of her heart, and
she spoke of her grief with
an
ergy
enof truth quite distressing. She regretted all she
had lost ; but
all
it is justiceto say that
far above
she regretted the Emperor.
of her
The
attentions
children in those
admirable.
days of suffering were
^'

The

Paris
The

to

me

letters

which

naturally made
most

varied

I received
mention

opinions

were

from
of the

my

friends

in

Empress.
pronounced upon
new

383

JOSEPHINE.

; Cardinal

her

Maury

'

I will

Emperor

is

attached

This

he

may

said

time
in

truly

love

She

was

But

Marie

In

had

'

as

'^

"

and

the

very

wore

to

her

she

her

as

you

she

been

in

taste

Josephine
by

can

be

is

the

Marie
the

Louise

of her

marked

absence

though

milliners

same

had

the

of

toilet."

large

and
sum

matters
much

young
The

would.

adduced

Louise,

of

one

admirably.

these

that

slender

well, and

her

appear

otherwise

more

entirely disappeared.

became

her

for

her

; but

parture
de-

my
once

imparted

uncommonly

judicious
make

to

than

which

at

had

had

Josephine
of

was

face

looked

dress

contributed

expenses

young.

when

time

It

which

figure,

exquisite and

Marie

for,

blooming

that

change

principal attractions,

employed

more

married.

were

with

the

worse.

appearance

elegant

proof

love

as

I observed

This

Spain.

better

longer

and

since

stout

very

grown

Her

Empress.

was

they

young

the

Josephine

she

enchanted

writes

Still, however,
she

when

he

"

youthful
her

thirty

be

will

1812, she

and

while

which
much

in

really
with

was

her

is

Louise

for
the

of

how

charming
be

to

ever

saw

never

You

her

see

he

describe

our

said

in

letter

to

to

be

upward

spring.

me

attempt

than

all, he

after

not

sent

admirable
of
both

best

of

taste

elegance

played
dis-

Empresses

dressmakers,
allotted

for

and

the

384

JOSEPHINE.

XXVII.

CHAPTER

AND

NAVARRE

could

Empress

The

she

and

wrote

her

not

MALMAISON.

banish

beyond

after

daughter,

Paris, to ascertain

to

the specter of

the

had

Emperor's

Three

peradventure.

she

ile,
exturned
re-

tions
inten-

weeks

passed
Hortense
from
three
without
news
months, they
who wrote
to the Queen, from
seemed
to Josephine
Not one
word
from
thee
Berne
:
during the
be the
can
twenty days of our separation. What
I am
of thy silence ? I confess
that
lost in
cause
If I
what
to think.
conjecture and do not know
from
thee
in three
I shall
do not hear
days,
return
to Malmaison
; there, at least, I shall be in
"

"

"

...

...

France

; and

alone, serene

if

everybody

in the

abandons

consciousness
for the

of

me

will

live

having sacrificed

good of others."
This letter was
needless, for on the following day
from
Hortense
that
came
one
put an end to all her
left her
her that the Emperor
fears, for it informed
in
entirely free to do as she pleased : to remain
Switzerland, to go to Italy, or to return to Navarre
her by
Soon after he wrote
to Malmaison.
or
even
his own
hand^ confirming all that had been trans-

my

own

happiness

385

JOSBPHINB.

he advised her
through the Queen. While
to make
the journey to Italy,as a distraction, and
to see
her son,
yet he left her at perfect liberty;
counseling her, however, if she wished to return to
France, to take up her residence at Navarre, in preference
to Malmaison.
Upon the reception of this
decided to establish herself
favor, the Empress at once
chateau
at Navarre, and in this beautiful
she
resided for nearly a year, not
loved
even
visitingher beParis during that period. Here
she received
of the birth of an heir to the throne,
the intelligence
self.
(20th March, 1811), in a letter from Napoleon himmitted

One

ladies

of her

wrote

of

this event

"

serving
question the Empress, but obto
our
curiosity she had the condescension
gratify us with a sight of the letter,which consisted
of ten or twelve lines,traced on
one
page, and was,
I do not
as
member
usual, covered with blots.
exactly rebut
the
the commencement,
conclusion
This infant, in concert
for word,
word
with
was,
our
Eugene, will constitute our happiness, and that
Is it possible,'
remarked
the Empress,
of France.'
to be more
'for one
amiable, or could anything
whatever
calculated
to soothe
be better
might be
painful in my thoughts at this moment, did I not so
This uniting of my
son
sincerelylove the Emperor.
when
he
is indeed worthy of him, who
with his own
This it is
delightful of men.
wills, is the most
''We

dared

not

'

"

'

which
"

has

She

brooch
25

so

much

moved

presented the
valued

at

me.'

messenger

with

6,000 francs, and

diamond

arranged

386

JOSEPHINE.

in honor

splendid fete

of

of

birth

the

the

of

King

Kome."
After

months

some

she

where

with

its details

differingin

little

herself

surrounded

was

court

This

the Tuileries.

Josephine left
at Malmaison,
brilliant court,

Navarre,

established

and

chateau

that

at

that

from
that

was

of her

of

rival

veritable

at

ereign,
sov-

that at the
less of etiquette than
yet with
and more
of
palace ; greater liberty in its members
press
Emreal pleasure in the great affairs of life. The
herself

abandoned

here

to

the

of

extravagance

indulgence of
for natural
the
her
tastes
history, botany, and
the fortunate
She revived
arts.
days of the First
three millions
and having at her command
Consulate
of revenue
(which she never
imagined could be
diminished), she indulged her inclinations for charity
benevolence

and

She

to the

launched

into
her

plunged

soon

after

down

drew

full.
course

into

anew

her

upon

debt,

and

from

methodical
Napoleon, whose
of large expenditures,
the matter
her

in

even

outraged

at

recklessness.

He

advised

economy

; to

her

of

reserve

endow

her

to

conduct

her

affairs

with

more

put aside half of the 3,000,000 he allowed

her, for the future

a

reproof

tastes,
were

time

some

well-merited

that

some

; she

would

then

10,000,000, with

have, in ten years,

which

she

could

grandchildren, when
they married.
Instead
of that, reports constantly reached
him
that she was
he think
What
should
again in debt.
of her : in debt, with three milhons
of revenue
?

387

JOSEPHINE.

The

Empress deserved this reproof ; indeed, it is

towards
her folUes
wonderful, the patience shown
But, although she used to receive
by her former spouse.
his scoldings with
indifference,at least with
only a gush of tears, this letter produced such an
her that she took to her
effect upon
bed, overcome
of this having
Information
with
been
chagrin.
to send
her, by
conveyed to Napoleon, he hastened
his continued
tion,
affeca proof of
a special messenger,
in this, the last, letter contained
in the published
of Queen Hortense.
memoirs
^*

Friday, eight o'clock

"

I send

to know

tells

bed.

am

me

the

that

vexed

in

state

the
of

thou

yesterday

with

thee

morning, 1813.
tense
thy health, for Horwert
of

account

on

all

day

thy debts

in
;

spend all thy income

; on
the contrary, I had
thought thou wouldst
put aside
each year, for thy grandchildren,
at least a million
when
they married.
Nevertheless, do not doubt my
friendship for
of what
I
account
on
thee, and do not be vexed
know
that thou
wrote.
Adieu, my friend ; let me
thou
that
art getting as
art better.
They tell me
farmer's
wife.
fat as a Normandy
I did

not

expect thee

to

"

"Napoleon."

have
convincing
early as the year 1800, we
proof of Josephine'ssenseless extravagance, as shown
Bourrienne.
in this excerpt from
:
Talleyrand has been
Bonaparte said to me
As

"

'

388

JOSEPHINE.

to

speaking
the

finish,and

showing
a

do

those

the bills of

me

confess
But

begin again.

not

wife.
her

ask

"

; let her

debts

of her

amount

Hamburg,

from

money

of my

the debts

about

me

I have

the

all.

exact

I wish

not

out
with-

pay

rascals

they

to

are

of robbers.'

gang

at
Josephine. She was
morning I saw
husband's
her
intentions ; but
first delighted with
last long.
I asked
her
When
this feeling did not
''

The

next

to

not

me

''

Do

She

she

owed

content

she

myself

entreated
with

what

confess.
^

said

can

tell

never

service

the

me

it,but

press

should

she

of what

amount

for the exact

what

secret

keep

to

all,it is impossible.
to

say

believe,about 1,200,000 francs, but I

wish to confess to only 600,000 ; I will contract
no
out
more
debts, and will pay the rest, little by little,
of my
savings. I said to her : Madame, I cannot
deceive
respecting the disposition of the First
you
I owe,

you.

'

He

Consul.
and

sum,

that

willing

to

is

not, have

doubt
and

believes

violent

for the

same

believe

he

; but

scene

whole

as

estimates

600,000 francs

part.

experience

more

displeasure

the

than

to

whole

will get rid of

"

can

'

can

never

never

them
do

support

at

the

half

As

for
; and

I do

not

...

so

that

warrant

can

reproaches
will be just the

scene

debts

will,I

You

bitter

some

the

for

your

considerable

discharge it.

endure

to

owe

you

high

you

sum

as

will

not

acknowledging
by doing

so

to
you

forever.'

it,Bourrienne
his violence.'

; I know

him

; I

390

JOSEPHINE.

spending moneyof her unhappiness.

the sole cause
Her
almost
was
order
dispermanent
thoughtless profusion occasioned
household
until the
parte's
in her
period of BonaI am
second
informed
she
marriage, when
became
regular in her expenditure."
Says Bonaparte's second secretary, Meneval,
for having herself
She had a mania
painted, and
for one.
her portraits to whoever
wished
gave
ceased
The
tradesmen
never
bringing her diamonds,
jewels,shawls, and trinkets of all kinds ; she bought
ever
everything, without
asking the price ; and
After
generally forgot what she had purchased.
ficient
insufthe divorce, her income, large as it was,
was
the Emperor
was
more
compassionate
; but
Mollien
to settle
then, and when
sending the Comte
inconceivable

*^This

mania

for

**

her

affairs

The

weep.

him

gave

strict orders

amiable

to

not

Josephine had

not

make

her

less ambition

in small

had
in great.
things than her husband
in possessShe
felt pleasure in acquiring, but
not
ing.
lightful
dewith
My intercourse
Josephine was
for I never
who
so
saw
a woman
constantly
entered
society with such an equable disposition,or
of the spiritof kindness, which
much
is the first
so
principleof amiability."
1805.
parte
''BonaAgain, Bourrienne, in the year
said to me
:
Bourrienne, you must, before I
.

'

proceed
endeavor

to

Italy, do

once

more

me

to make

service.
her

Go
sensible

to my
of her

wife
mad

instances
Every day I discover new
extravagance.
of it,and it distresses me.
I speak to her on
When

,391

JOSEPHINE.

the

vexed
subject I am
forgive her, I pay her

; I

get angry

she

"

I
weeps.
fair promises

bills, she makes

the
and
same
over
over
thing occurs
; but
It is the
again. If she had only borne me
a child.
torment
of my
life not to have
I plainly
had a child.
will never
be firmly established
perceive that my
power
If I die without
until I have
one.
an
heir,
not

of

"

is

brothers

capable of supplying my
God
place. All is begun, but nothing is ended.
will happen.
and
knows
Go
what
see
Josephine ;
I acquainted
and, do not
forget my
injunctions.'
the Empress
with
all that
the
Emperor
one

my

...

had

said

to

I reminded

me.

1,200,000 francs, which

that

she
*

sum.

had

Is it my

had

we

dropped

even

affair

settled

allusion

some

'How

made.

of the

her

can

of the
half

with

to the promises

help it,' said

she.

?'

fault

in
Josephine uttered these words
of sincerity which
at once
a tone
was
affecting and
of beautiful
ludicrous.
'AU
sorts
things are
I
brought to me
praised up ; I buy them
; they are
for the money
and
all of a sudden,
not asked
am
.

"

"

I have

when
demands
ears

and

no

for
he

know

to the
I will

Tell

him

duty
It
were

it.

if you

in

pointed

see

much

as

that

vain
out

him
in
her

again.
charity
errors

Josephine

never

Bour-

money,

pally
give it principoor emigrants.
I

in the

economical

more

Napoleon's

I have

employ

with

me

upon

reaches

unfortunate, and to the

to bestow
was

When

how

try to be

so

come

This

payment.

gets angry.

rienne, you
But

they

money,

is it not

But
as

of

future.

can

my

'

"
.

extravagance

reformed

in this

392

JOSEPHINE.

spendthriftof the hardearned

given her by the people of France.
money
She
entirely changed the aspect of the chateau of
continually expending large sums
Navarre, and was
to the last

respect,and

in

was

She

Malmaison.

of

embellishment

the

had

introduced
varieties
and
of
rare
sheep-farm
of Swiss, whom
she
merinos
; a dairy, in charge
lived in a pretty chalet
had brought
with her, who
The
and were
costume.
clad in their national
lery,
galthe green-house, the botanic
agerie
garden, the menmodel

her

consumed

and

received

all these

her

unwearied

She

millions.

attention,
in

was

almost

with M. Lenoir, on art ; Eedoute,

daily consultation
the
flower-painter ; Isabey, her designer ; and M.
Aime
for
Bonpland, the great botanist, celebrated
his voyages
did

guests

in company
lack

not

of

for

Humboldt.*
and

company

son
Malmai-

distinguished

them

Cambaceres, as well as
Tuileries
the birth
; for, since

; among

courtiers

with

the

the
of

king of Eome, Marie Louise had lost her jealous

fears, and
Napoleon
frequently inquired of his
friends
from
to news
as
Josephine. Quick to take
this hint, the obsequious courtiers
thronged the
the

Malmaison
at

done

in

fashion

the
of

speak about
She

is

making

our

gardens has
order

to the

as

her

own

can

and

1800

much

new

gardens,

the

make

this

Madame

Our
.

injured

regularityin

some

"

she

in

to the

estimation.

her

To

garden

was

sheer

wants

us

blasphemy.
to

give

waters, the hot-houses, in short,

private property."

more

present
...

decorations, and
place

tressed
dis-

everything

wants

heresy in regard
us

is much

Bonaparte

straight paths ;

some

English fashion.

ordering
which

Fontaine,

agreeable

; for she

to

our

tention
at-

thing
every-

regards it

393

JOSEPHINE.

of

courts
But

and

Malmaison,

there

swelled

the lists of visitors.

rarely exposed to the

of the vulgar and frivolous
: that last occupied
gaze
there.
Everything remained
by Bonaparte when
just
he had
left it :
A volume
of history,with
leaf
as
turned
of the world,
down
and a pen beside it ; a map
which

upon

one

was

used

he

much

to

It

and

in her

into

transports

gazing

from

to efface you

de

time, that she

a

up

pen,

never

and

seemed
a

is my

that

"

Madame

Eemusat

never

malicious

Josephine,
and

least

bored.

again

; to love

"

needle

; for

; and

This
we

I have

you

Josephine
book, she never

slander

to

I endeavored

of

says

touched
the

useless

are

fate.'

opened

never

in

efforts

All my

with

of the

that

was

still.'

you

one

impossible

heart,' said I,

my

present yourself.
to die,
you, and

dear

My

; of

himself

his look

and

; I love

you

threw

; it seemed

so

so

He

arms

me,

mind
re-

been

at Malmaison
"

my

could

had

who

parel
ap-

bitterlydeplored.
visited
Napoleon often

that

says

upon

always loved

him

loss she

affection.

tender

most

of

retirement

visits she

these

cease

whose

his

; all in fact that

wife

the

across

his arms,

camp-bed,

wall

known

is well

Josephine
of

the

forsaken

her,

his marches

to trace

; his

enemy's country
hung upon
the

room

at

took

yet, she

is very

have

this

seen

dently
evithat

to
Josephine often used the pen, and freely wrote
done by the ladies,her
her family ; her reading was
lectrices,paid for that purpose.

Malmaison

genius

of

itself is

monument

Josephine, who

made

to the

it the

taste

beautiful

and
re-

394
treat

JOSEPHINE.

is indebted

France

that it was.

to her for many-

landscape and floral

this very
place, Malmaison.
the
of Josephine the estate
After
death
passed
hands, finally becoming the propthrough several
erty
resided
of the Spanish Queen, Christina, who
who
ings
here
seventeen
kept the buildsome
years, and
in repair and preserved the place somewhat
as
of its original owner.
In 1867,
in the time
it was
and,
Napoleon III. secured possession of Malmaison
the
with
the
co-operation of Eugenie, refurnished
articles that had
with
rooms
belonged to Josephine,
his grandmother.
During the exposition of that
ideas

plants, for many

at
effects,introduced
new

year

visitors

many

here

came

in

to pay

their

tribute

of

ing
Josephine. But, three years later,durthe Prussian
soldiers
invasion, the barbarous
and
the walls
committed
atrocities,defaced
many

affection

to

furniture, destroyed paintings, and left the oncein ruin and neglect.
beautiful
Malmaison
and
son
To-day, though dismantled
forlorn,Malmaiis still in

deserted
breathed

evidence

chambers,
her

be

one

may

stroll

told the spot where

last ; view

through its
Josephine

she
dining-room where
often graced the hospitableboard, and
be shown
so
the place where
occurred
the last parting between
Hortense
and Napoleon.
Next
to her birthplace, where
her happiest years
maison,
were
passed, the lover of Josephine will hold Malwhere
Josephine found rest and recreation,
its walls
where
she imprinted her image
and
upon
out her declining years.
gardens ; where she sorrowed
the

395

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTER

ELBA

Josephine
lived

she

cherished

FONTAINEBLEAU.

AND

it is

had,

in the

XXVIII.

true, accepted

remembrance

her

fate,but
happier days, and

of

and her
objects of her tenderness
regrets. She desired to see the King of Eome, and
view
interat last,to gratify her, Napoleon arranged an
At sight
at Bagatelle in the Bois de Bologne.
of him she could not restrain her tears,and embraced
of a mother
him
all the ardor
with
cess
long denied acdear
to her
child," she
offspring. '^Ah, my
while
his face,
murmured,
raining kisses upon
time
thou
wilt some
hast
know, perhaps, all thou
ever

the

^'

cost
The

which

king

me."

Emperor
was

trial to his
This

away.

departed

soon

in

were

hastened

motion

the

fling at fate, that

We

will not

campaign

nor

ended

the

affecting scene,
the

interview

campaign

little
;

he

already

preceded his last

final catastrophe.

that

in the
the

took

horrors

of

the

terrible retreat, which

Russian

began

at

fore
burning Moscow, and finallyended beto be in the possession
the walls of Paris, soon
This account
the enemy.
belongs to the history

the ruins

of

events

recount

last

Russian

the

this

patience, and
their

was

on

to end

of

396

JOSEPHINE.

incidentallyJosephine is involved
that overin the disasters
in the final overthrow,
took
the man
crushed
to whom
her
country, which
united till death, and in the revolution
that
she was
of

; but

Napoleon

"

from

him

hurled
hastened
We

the
of her

close

the

for

these

life.

own

honorable

the

know

power

supreme

part taken

by her

son,

Eugene, in the last retreat : that

in the face of
he bravely performed his duty, and
the
remnant
of
overwhelming obstacles, extricated
his army
and
covered,
brought it safe to Italy ; that he reand
first took the field, at Bonaparte's call
to arms
the
an
important victory over
; that he won
held
was
Austrians, and
by Napoleon worthy to
the ever-faithful

him

succeed
One

the

of

to her

last letters
him

bidding

son,

Bonaparte,
France

his heir.

as

written

hasten

on

every

to

call to his aid

He

Eugene and his army.

this effect to Josephine, who
at once
a patrioticappeal for his assistance

Do

lose

not

Emperor's
subject.

orders.

her

He

France

all

the

be

may

instant, my
obstacles,

an

children.

as

could

never
now.

to

to

her

son

Feburary,

1814.

dear

ever
Eugene, whatthe
comply with

to

written

all,France
Come, then, my

thy zeal
Every moment

so

well

this

on

me

above

hasten,
Emperor

has

wrote

sent

9th

Malmaison,
"

was

rejoin Napoleon.
of February, 1814, seeing
to
side, at first resolved

in the month

invested

by Josephine

has

need

dear

of
son,

the

serve

is precious.

398

JOSEPHINE.

in

daughter and
could

she

movements

whose

was

her

whence
the

the latest intelligencefrom

derive

concerning

resided, and

friends

many

she

Paris, where

with

communication

direct

for there

the last moment,

until

Malmaison

she

Emperor,

manifested

the

liveliest

anxiety.
We
have, unfortunately, no letters of this critical
of
period that will throw light upon the sentiments
Napoleon and Josephine ; their correspondence was
of affairs.
As
intermitted
doubtless
by the pressure
for Queen
Hortense, she was
continually passing
between
Paris
and
Malmaison,
carrying comfort
and
cheer
to her anxious
mother, keeping in touch
with the court at the Tuileries,gleaning scant news
Marie
from
Louise, who had been appointed regent
of Bonaparte, and
from
his
during the absence
of the governbrother
at the head
Joseph who was
ment.
By

the

last of

Paris,

and

March

the

allied army

close

was

the

inhabitants, notwithstanding
in Bonaparte, were
their confidence
in a tumult.
Many believed, with
Hortense, that the Emperor

upon

would

She

in

appear

herself

hastened

Empress-regent
their

foes

; but

to effect

season

not
too

to the
to

their

Tuileries

leave

Paris

late ; that

very

deliverance.

to
at

entreat

the

the
of

mercy

afternoon, at

an

extraordinary council, composed of the regent, the

brothers
of
of the
and
ministers
the
Napoleon
decided
of the capital
that the defense
Empire, it was

impracticable,and
King of Eome, and the

was

that
heads

Marie
of

Louise, the young

government,

should

399

JOSEPHINE.

retire to Blois.

This

the hands

enemy.

in

conformity to the orders

his departure, who
of Napoleon, before
feared
for
the safety of his wife and son, should
they fall into
As

of the

Hortense

she

as

soon

had

despatched

was

informed

been
a

of this

courier, at

decision,

o'clock

one

in the

her mother
to prepare
for
at once
morning, to warn
she
be less
would
departure for Navarre, where
The next day the enemy
entered
exposed to danger.
hold,
Paris, close upon the departure of the royal househour
that Napoleon
and
almost
at the same
himself

arrived

at Fontainebleau.

Josephine had acted upon her daughter's

of
advice and had gained in safety the retreat
Navarre, though only after a fright at the prospect
have
of capture by the Cossacks, which
must
brought
in
her
to mind
perils during the first campaign
Italy.
She
remained
several
days a prey to the most
of
her
fate
respecting the
agonizing suspense
daughter, her son, and of Napoleon.
France
was
was
invaded, humiliated
; the enemy
than
this she
in possession of the capital ; more
knew
not ; two
days she rested in this cruel state of
uncertainty. But on the second of April, she was
rejoicedat the arrival of her daughter and her two
children, who had twice narrowly escaped capture
Meanwhile,

by

the

Hortense

received

on

learned

she

realized, as
she

while

enemy,

to
no

the

the

road

that

her

worst

capture of Paris

tidings

of

From

to Navarre.

; but

Napoleon.

fears
from

Three

were

her

days

400

JOSEPHINE.

Paris, from
passed ; all the routes leading from
in possession of
Fontainebleau, and from Blois, were
all information
intercepted. But at
the allies,and
announced
night, a courier was
last, the fourth
Fontainebleau.
from
apprised of his
Josephine was
arrival, and her heart leaped with joy at the prospect
of

^'He
of

the

from

news

is

the

Emperor.

alive,

She

messenger.

raining

the tears

sad

all the

her

over

at

face

projectedabdication, of

demanded

shawl

her

over

into her

chamber,

the courier

detailed

once
as

of the

occurrences

she

me!"

threw

him

admitted

and

shoulders

Tell

then?

few

past

the decree

days

of the

of banishment

to

Elba.
she

"Ah,"
to Elba

envied

She

sharing

Louise

to believe

him

heir,

an

the

and

who

brought reproach
was
grief of Hortense

The

alone

not

down

one

who

her

had

most

had

she

called
been

ever

attached

place

ihe affections

position
for retreat
of

of any

of

do

so,

to

later dishonored

her

her

royal

spouse.

equally profound ; it
lost, a high fortune
the

and

of

had

misfortunes

daughter, whose

delicate

name

to the

had

had

who

upon

lamented

her

unfortunate

without

she

crown

; but

she

privilege

doubting her desire

in the perfidy of one

and

name

cast

Marie

his exile ; not

unable

borne

was

him."

with

to go

and

If

sighed; "unhappy
Napoleon; exiled
it were
not for his wife, I should
demand

isolated

sharing

regard
Hers

tender.

odium

Bonaparte, without
Her
the family.

for

was

she

as

the

of

was,
now

sharing
mother's

Josephine, by

Prud'hon

401

JOSEPHINE.

position was,
divorce

had

if

anything, more
rendered
her free,had

the

was
family which
returning Bourbons, and

now

enviable, for
detached
hateful

so

she

her

could

the
from
the

to

still reside

in

France.
^'I have
to

and

fortune

no

lady

of her

with

the

mother's

but

she said

diamonds,"

my

; *^I

court

will

sell them

proceeds I will go to Martinique, to

the old plantation belonging
to my
family, which
I visited in my
I passed many
youth and where
children and be
happy days. There I will rear
my
content."

That
known
become
has

she
; and

the

informed

did

not

of the

her

accomplish
career

Napoleon

of her
III. of

intention

youngest

later

is well

son,

who

times, history

us.

despatched to Paris for

lady of the court was
and
intelligenceof the Emperor
Eugene ; but for
several
in
at Navarre
ones
were
days the forsaken
On the thirteenth
of
ignorance of passing events.
advised
of the conclusion
of
April Josephine was
the treaty, signed two days previously at Fontainerenounced
all claim
the Emperor
to
bleau, in which
and
of France
the throne
Italy, and adopted Elba
for his future
sovereignty.
To the last,he had been thoughtful of those whose
would
be affected
due to him, who
elevation was
by
his downfall, stipulating that all their rights and
privileges should be preserved, and their pensions
paid.
Josephine
26

and

her

family

were

especially re-

402

JOSEPHINE.

her

membered,
her

million

in

of francs

position compatible

station.

former

to their

at

secured

daughter

and

son

fixed

revenue

clearly that he still

regarded her with tenderness
; but he departed from
Fontainebleau, on the twenty -first of April, without

stipulations show

These

for

farewell

of

word

one

of

love

from

slowly breaking

her

whose

him,

at

heart
the

was

castle of

Navarre.

directing his way to his

Emperor was
in April, Josephine,
place of exile, the last week
yielding to the solicitations of her friends,returned
she
There
toMalmaison.
was
rejoined by Queen
had
at first intended
to offer her
Hortense, who
Louise
services to Marie
; but being coldly received,
the

Whilst

place of duty by her mother's

She found
at Malmaiside.
a distinguished visitor
of the Emperor
Alexander, who,
son, in the person
been
soon
as he had
as
apprised of Josephine's return,
her
of his respect, and
had hastened
to assure
to
extend
to her
and her children
his protection and
sympathy.
'^
d'Abrantes
After
parte's
Bona:
Says the Duchess
returned

had

her

to

"

abdication

to

went

Malmaison

the

...

after

day

My
Empress
.

arms

soon

exclaimed
was

she

as
'

no

she

me

Alas, Madame

deeply affected.

bed,

saw

from

should

and
she

Junot
I

knew

Fontainebleau.

mentioned

sooner

desired

still in

was

as

was

than

She

name

receiving his letter

be

admitted.
out

her

into tears

and

stretching
burst

! Madame

how

the

to

Junot

!'

sincerely she

404

JOSEPHINE.

Majesty recollect

your

seated

throne

the

on

have

all you
of

suffered
in

France,

the

when

imperial

strong in the title of

palace of the Tuileries, when
were
eign,
soverthe Emperor's consort.
If, when
you
disturb
the Emperor's sisters could
Madame,
might they not do at the present
repose, what
your

day?'
*'

The

right,' she
upon

of

remained
her

and

with

deep meditation,

occurrence.

rare

said

at

for

last; ^I think

some

time

with

I think
are

you

her

you

head

cumstance
cirare

right.'
resting

hand."

Viewing them
a vanquished

assured

'

of

She

fell into

Empress

Hortense

delicate

in the relation

of wife

and

sovereign, the Emperor

and
tact

Josephine
endeavored

of

daughter
Alexander

attention,
mitigate the

every
to

unpleasant features of their situation.

Meanwhile, the Empress was
gladdened by the
whom
she had been
arrival of Eugene, from
a long
she had heard
time separated, and of whom
nothing
for many
now
days. She was
happy and content,
in the companionship
of both
her children, whom
she entreated
not to leave her, unless they would
be
in shortening her life. They promised
instrumental
to remain
with her to the last,and her only anxiety
for the Emperor.
now
was
Eugene had held out
to the very
end, onlj^ surrendering his command
when
he could do so with honor, and after stipulating
for the safety of his officers and
His
soldiers.
conduct
had won
universal
approbation, and no one
thought of hindering his journey to France, for the

405

JOSEPHINE.

honorable

sister in their
The

of

purpose

the express

mother

and

state.

unhappy

Emperor

his

comforting

Alexander

went

to

Malmaison

for

of

renewing to him the offers of

assistance
he had
made
to Josephine and Hor tense.
The Duke
of Orleans, as the old friend of his father,
whom
also well
Eugene so strongly resembled, was
him
the adopted son
of
disposed towards
; but, as
in the downfall
to share
of his
Napoleon, he was
the active
chief.
and
well-meant
Notwithstanding
would
have
efforts of Alexander, who
restored
gene
Euwith
to his former
the
position,in accordance
of Napoleon, as
wishes
expressed in his abdication
and
at Chatillon, the treaty of Fontainebleau
was
disregarded.
and
der
unDeprived of the prospect of her revenue,
to be banished
the impression that she was
soon
troubles
from
France, yet Josephine forgot her own
To
in her
anxiety for the fate of her children.
of
their welfare, she implored the Emperor
secure
in their behalf, as the greatto exert himself
Eussia
est
he

favor

and

purpose

tender

could

bestow

upon

an

abandoned

wife

mother.

children, and

of

the

unhappy fate of him

all to the supremest
had
raised them
who
height,
saved
them
from
have
would
and who
participation
it been
in his fall,had
ingly.
possible,she spoke unceasOf

her

On
pass

the
a

few

Hortense.

fifteenth

days
The

at

of
the

May,

the

chateau

Emperor

to
Empress went
of Saint-Leu, with

Alexander

also

visited

406

jtosEPHmE.

there

the

at

time, and

same

went

they

to

ride

in

to MalOn her return

Montmorency.
maison, Josephine felt so fatigued that she retired
to her apartment, leaving her daughter to entertain
their guests.
of
her
had
When
she
regained the seclusion
herself into a reclining
chamber, Josephine threw
Her
reader.
chair, in a state of painful melancholy.
Mile. Cochelet, had
accompanied her, and reports in
of

woods

the

After

silence

short

the

has

melancholy which
but

every
I

only
The

hope.
with
are

effort

conceal

to

the

suffer

upon

Eussia

ensued.

sadly,

''

demoisell
Ma-

off this distressing

it from

more.

of

Emperor

throw
seized

then

said

Empress

I cannot

Cochelet,
made

that

conversation

the

memoirs

her

; I have

children,

my

begin
seems

me

to
to

lose
be

all

filled

regard and affection for us, but of what good

his promises to my
daughter, and her
son, my

children

he

''Is
them
shall

Do

in

not

position

know

you

what

do

something
will happen when
to

for
he

have

will not fulfill

departed ? The Bourbons
their
children
at their
promises ; I shall see my
this thought.
endure
unhappy ; and I cannot
mercy,
I already suffer
of Napoleon,
enough on account
now
stripped of all his greatness, exiled to a
distant isle,abandoned
I
by all his friends ; must
children
now
see
fugitives, at the sport of
my
...

evil

fortune

I feel

?
.

that

this

doubt

will

kill

me."

The

lectrice

tried

to comfort

her

by pointing out

407

JOSEPHINE.

with

what

assiduity

her

children's

deceived

Bourbons,

and

her

upon

cause

she
and

the

of

Emperor

the

assured

above

all

had

Josephine

but

felt

he

zeal

of
of

the

the

house

Eussia

had

tended
at-

manifested
not

was

enmity
of

in

Austria.

to
of

be
the

408

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTER

DEATH

many

and

lives ;

yet

JOSEPHINE.

OF

bons
Josephine declared, that the Bourto the first wife
indebted
of Napoleon for
of them
for their
even
great favors, some

It is true,
were

XXIX.

as

of them

none

came

her

near

an
exile, or manifested
the only
She was, however,
^'

in her

interest
member

in

able
honor-

her

fate.

of the

imperial
preserved ; a

titles and honors

were
family whose
around
her retreat,and she
guard of honor watched
surrounded
illustrious personages
was
by the most
few
A
of Europe.
ander's
days after the Emperor Alexvisit to
Marie
Louise," says Bourrienne,
"

^^

*^

paid his respects to Bonaparte's other wife,

Josephine. In this breaking up of empires and kingdoms
the unfortunate
had
suffered
Josephine, who
who
had
doned
abanhusband
of the
agonies on account
of the
first
not
her, was
forgotten. One
did on
of Russia
arriving at
things the Emperor
to despatch a guard for the protectionof
Paris, was
her
Malmaison.
The allied sovereigns treated
with
As
ander
Alexas
soon
delicacy and consideration.
knew
that
maison
to MalJosephine had returned
he

he

hastened

to pay

her

visit.

It is not

pos-

409

JOSEPHINE.

sible to be
in

the

than

amiable

more

to her.

was

conversation,

of

course

he

he

When,
of

spoke

the

occupation of Paris by the allied armies, and of the

always in
position of the Emperor Napoleon, it was
language ; he never
forgot for an
perfectlymeasured
instant
that he was
quished
speaking to the wife of a vanenemy.
**

On

did not conceal

side, the Empress

her

the

der
ten-

lively affection, she still felt

Alexander
for Napoleon.
thing
certainly had someelevated
in his character,
and magnanimous
to say
would
which
not permit him
a
single word
had
capable of insulting misfortune
; the Empress
that was
for
to make
to him, and
only one
prayer
the

sentiments,
.

her

This

children
from

by another,
of Prussia

frequently, to
dined

even

; but

Malmaison

the

frequently.

more

with

her

and
The

her

illustrious
which

in

and

conservatories.

I do

times

from
not

she

Elba.

know

have

The

princes.

pay
her

his

court

several

Alexander

was

the

the

honors

of

King
to

sephine
Jo-

times

came

Hortense

received

at

much

always

sovereigns,
the

house.

did

She

what
fits of

with

its fine

gardens

this time, however,

declined, and
*

she

doing

return

followed

soon

particularly struck

were

From

was

maison,
Malstrangers exceedingly admired
to them
seemed
a charming
residence,

and

^'

with

Emperor
Queen

when

mother

assisted

allied

the other

came

; he

visit

not

bly
Josephine's health visiHve
to see
Napoleon's

often said to her attendants

is the

matter

melancholy

with

me,

enough

but
to

at

kill

410

JOSEPHINE.

me.'
.

But,

retained

all her

and

graces

the

the

on

of

resources

she

grave,

love

her

amiability, all
and

of the

brink

very

of

dress,
drawing-room

society."
We

overlook

cannot

of

letters

two

this

period,

Napoleon and Josephine, and which, if

genuine, give us a glimpse into the hearts of their
illustrious writers : The first,from
Napoleon.
attributed

to

"

*^

I wrote
Josephine,
month, but perhaps you

Dear

of this

to you

"

have

the

on

eighth

received

not

it may
present, communication

intercepted. At

April, 1814.

hostilities still continue, and

letter,as
been

16th

FONTAINEBLEAU,

my

have
must

be re-established.
''

I said to

what
now

free

from

but

formed

I have

then

I will not

I lamented

congratulate myself thereon.

an

weight.

enormous

at least it is

shall

you

resolution

my

substitute

useful, as
the

pen

men

My

say.

for the

repeat
situation,

my

am

...

fall
In my

now

great,

was

retreat

sword.

I have
...

millions
of wretches.
What
heaped benefits upon
have
all
they done in the end for me ? They have
betrayed me.
Yes, all. I except from this number
the
of
me.
good Eugene, so worthy of you and
dear
Adieu, my
Josephine ; be resigned, as I am,
and
never

will

*'P. S.
not

remember

ever

very

"

him

forget you.
I

expect

who

never

forgot, and

Farewell, Josephine.

to hear

from

you

at Elba

well.
^'Napoleon."

; I

am

412

JOSEPHINE.

the

from

searching

week

increasing grief. A

and

deep distress
passed thus ; though

love, her

of

eyes

of
apparently cheerful in the company
so
sadly diminished, when alone
court, now

and

amiable
her

little

she

abandoned

herself

to

and

tears

heart

sad

reflection.

; her

grief had
her health
undermined
nights of agony
; the sleepless
She uttered no
her blood.
had inflamed
complaint
truth, she

In

she

even

tried

gayety, but

hurt

was

her

maintain

to

children

her

the

to

and

old
her

air

of

ladies

cheerful
were

pressed
op-

by painful presentiments.

twenty-third of May, the King

of Prussia
and his two
to dine with
sons
came
her,
and Josephine, though for days she had been visibly
them
her old-time
with
suffering, received
grace,
of
and
the character
so
successfully maintained
agreeable hostess, that they departed in the behef
The
that
she was
next
fully recovered.
day she
Grand
was
obliged to receive the Kussian
Dukes,
who
afterwards
went
driving with Eugene, while
On

Monday,

Hortense

the

remained

at

with

home

her

mother.

As

the

to be suffering from
a
Empress seemed
slight
cold, her daughter urged her to retire to her room
;
In the
but she declined, and went
down
to dinner.
evening, however, after several attempts to rally
from
the fatigues of the day, she retired
to a near
of hostess
the honors
apartment, leaving to Hortense
during the stay of the Russian
princes. The next
her reader
for the
went
to her room
morning, when

orders
and

of the

holding

day, she
in her

found

hand

the

Empress

paper,

which

in

she

tears,
held

413

JOSEPHINE.

out

to

*'If

it.

seen

dead

child.

have

dared

to

entered

her

ravish

increased

worse,

her

the

chamber
with

court

mother

and

was

upon

her

stupor
the

on

her

of the

times

what

me,

child
into

terrible

of

infamy
the

Eevolu-

!"

of

honor

cold, and assented

opposed, for

to

Hortense

as

morrow,

an

her

melancholy, and
grief. She became

early hour, she found

difficulty. Greatly alarmed,
physician, who agreed with her
than a common
suffering from more
at

poor,

it

the

though
attack

her

this

possible? Yes, they

to
even
dead, to descend

the

Ah

Read

written, about

Is

anonymous

breathing
called

has

God

as

it.

see

one

returned.

cherished

plunged
rapidly

not

some

It is

tion had
This

does

My

tomb.

has

she

she
good care
article,which

the

excitedly if her daughter had

take
not," she said, '^then

her, demanding

consultation.

This

her
she
that

phine
Jose-

pain to the
in attendance
doctor
to allay her
; but, in order
children's fears, promised to keep her bed for the day.
then
fever, and
was
suffering from
Eugene
this
fact
his
in
room
obliged to remain
; but
her mother, and made
to keep from
strove
Hortense
patients,
preparation for attending both
every
fear

of

causing

though herself fatigued.

the twenty-seventh, of so
A
on
relapse occurred
to
that Hortense
decided to send
alarming a nature
of the
she was
informed
Paris for assistance, when
ander's
Alexarrival of the first physician of the Emperor
his
royal
household, with
inquiries from
master

and

the information

that

he

himself

was

to

414

JOSEPHINB.

them

with

dine

Josephine

at

at

Malmaison,

returned

once

her

the

on

morrow.

and

thanks

began to
entertaining

preparations for
she proposed to receive in
her august visitor,whom
person.* At the solicitation of Hortense, however,
Russian
the
permitted to have an
physician was
herself

occupy

with

interview

he

did

not

conceal

patient's condition was

and energetic
immediate

the

that

demanded

and

serious

very

mother, and

her

daughter

the

from

with

measures.

declared
that the
held, it was
suffering from a dangerous attack of
Empress was
quinsy ; but, although, the physicians feared it
to be of avail, they contoo late for remedies
was
cealed
the watchers, and
fears
from
their worst
in anxiety the
awaited
result.
Queen Hortense
side, and then only to
scarcely left her mother's
hasten
fever
had
increased
to Eugene, whose
to the
The
point of creating great anxiety in his behalf.
Empress, noticing her son's continued
absence, was
of his
illness, and
finally informed
begged her
her time
her brother, or at
daughter to bestow
upon
consultation

least

was

the rest she

to seek

much

so

needed.

During the night, Josephine sank perceptibly,and

the Queen decided
to dispatch a messenger
to Alex"

After

luxurious
no

one.

very
of

and

the

tastes, and
On

elegant

Russia

pale

divorce,

the
rohe

might
rose

at

dressed

day of

her

de chambre,
to

come

satin."

"

see

Mme.

she

Malmaison,
with

much

as

death,
her.
.

de

she
.

care,

insisted

she

because

(Josephine) had

She

Remusat.

on

thought
died

even

when

being
that

covered

the
she

dressed
the

with

same
saw

in

Emperor
ribbons

415

JOSEPHINE.

ander, requesting
the

before

arrived

courier

of

him
to

the

her

the

fears,

hours

been

then

was

she

over

to her mother's
again hastened
with Eugene
Emperor remained
Josephine was
resting easily,and

afternoon.

from

had

chamber, where
rejoined by the Queen

ceremony

His

bedside

took

presence

Josephine, who,

it

ducted
con-

he
at

passed
dinner.
herself

; but

assured
his

had

of
formed
in-

him

excused

until

of

to learn

Hortense

Empress.
and

advance

anxious

and

late in the

in

brother's

her

day, being

After

of

condition

postpone his visit ; but

reach
Paris, his Majesty

several

appointed, having

the exact

the

to

could

Malmaison,

at

the hour

him

the

that

departure
been

cealed
con-

feared, would
have
to rise to receive
wished
him, and
thereby
suffer a relapse. Though
oppressed by the fatigue
of continued
wished
to pass the
watching, Hortense
night with her mother, who insisted that she should
retire

to her

own

room

to

rest.

was

One

of

the

ladies

treaties,
d'Arberg, joined in her enwaiting, the Duchess
her if she should
be
promising to inform
be needed, and the Queen
retired, though at a late
that
she should
hour, and only after the assurance
She
be notified of the slightestalarming symptom.
but
times
not to sleep, several
to her
went
room,
of
rising during the night and seeking the bedside
the patient sufferer.
no
plaints
comJosephine uttered
to suffer, except from
and did not appear
an
of breathing ; but she was
ful,
wakeincreased
difficulty
the
seemed
to be wandering amid
and her mind
of the recent
scenes
past. She frequently repeated

in

416

in

JOSEPHINE.

low

tone, as

if

at

her to the
was

forth

those

loving

which

had

from

chamber.

her

children

as

her eyes filled with

to stretch

the

powerless

his

from

Empres's

still conscious

bedside

sought

Hortense

recovered

somewhat

her

arms,
ever

attacks
to bestow

''

parte
Bona-

Alarmed

this incoherence,

who,

herself

Louise."

Marie

Elba
.

with

communing

often

so

encircled
of
the

hate

brother,
fever, accompanied
Their

mother

the

approached

tears, and
to

arms

her

embrace

she

endeavored
them.

But

their

refuge in the past,

them,

protecting them
now
malice, were

and

last, farewell

embrace.

It

difficultyJosephine could speak to them,

had so changed, in the short
time
and her features
that had elapsed since they last saw
her, that they
forced to recognize the near
were
approach of final
dissolution.
Oppressed by her emotions, Hortense
the
while
chamber,
was
obliged to retire from
all his courage,
gathered his
Eugene, summoning
mother
tenderly in his arms, pressing her head to
There
his breast.
she lay, peacefully,looking the
could
love
she
in words,
not
adequately express
while
her son
scanned
the faces of the physicians,
learn
if this were,
of
to
indeed, the last hour
Josephine's fitful existence.
They could give him
that
it were
no
well, if she so
hope, and intimated
the last
be provided with
desired,that she should
The
sacraments.
Queen's chaplain was summoned,
for the
to prepare
their mother
and, leaving him
to
the
and
retired
viaticum, the son
daughter
Soon
chapel, where
they rethey knelt in prayer.
was

with

417

JOSEPHINE.

turned

to the

chamber

of

death.

As

they entered,
them, and

Josephine vainly attempted to embrace

made
futile effort to speak. Her
features
had
a
but too evident
undergone a mortal change ; it was
that her last hour had
arrived, and Hortense, overcome
borne
by this conviction, fainted, and was
from
the chamber.
Kneeling at his mother's
side,
Eugene drew her within his embrace, where, a few
minutes
later,with a last look of love in her glazing
eyes, she expired.*
the pallid lips,Eugene
Imprinting a kiss upon
form, and with tremgently released the inanimate
her
of their
bhng steps sought his sister,to infocm
The
misfortune, and to mingle his tears with hers.
of Malmaison
household
was
ing,
plunged into mournthe sad intelligencespread abroad, the
and
as
people in all places and of all degrees lamented
hold
their
their
good Josephine," whose
upon
hearts was
strong and deep.
Mile.
with
Mme.
In company
d'Arberg," wrote
life
I remained
by the side of her whose
Cochelet,
souvenir
of
had
a
fled,and, thinking to preserve
loved
so
the departed, for those she had
well, I cut
^'

^'

"

off

portion of
face, now

the

The

"

At

Napoleon
27

; I did

aU

truth, to all of
never

which

upon

of

Josephine

least,I shall die regretted; I have

with

enframed
rested

...

(alleged)last words

of France
say

calm, and

so

peacefulsmile.
*

tresses,which

the beautiful

caused

in my
you

power
now

singletear

to

were

always desired
contribute

present,
to flow."

that

the

to it ; and

the

ness
happiI

first wife

can

of

418

JOSEPHINE.

impossible to depict the grief of the

Prince Eugene, and Queen Hortense, at the loss of
been
life had
this adorable
one
mother, whose
long
and her family."
to them
devotion
The
body of the Empress was embalmed, enclosed
and
casket
of lead and
in a
double
mahogany,
exposed upon a catafalque in the grand vestibule,
it was
where
visited by upwards of twenty thousand
frivolous
and
Paris was
visibly
people. Even
gay
affected
intelligence of Josephine's
by the sad
it inflicted a painful impression upon
death, where
''

It would

be

all.
the
All, sovereigns and foreign princes ; even
to the
royal family of France, sent their condolences
ander,
The
children
of the late Empress.
Emperor Alexhad intended
who
paying his respects in person,
could
attend
not
the
learning that Eugene
of his illness,
of his
sent one
obsequies, on account
generals to represent him.
The

last

June,

in

tributes
the

church

by the care
had expressed a wish
cortege issued from
restored

and

took

the

road

offered

were

on

the

second

of

had
Kueil, which
in which
of Josephine, and
to

the

towards

be

interred.

The

great gate of

of
been

she

funeral

Malmaison

Paris, as far as Eueil.

The
of Hortense, one
children
wards
aftertwo
of whom
of France
ascended
the throne
as
Napoleon
The
the chief mourners.
III.,were
honorary pallbearers
Grand
of Baden, husband
Duke
were
: the
of the Princess
Stephanie ; the Marquis de Beauto Josephine; the
Count
harnais, brother-in-law

420

JOSEPHINE.

XXX.

CHAPTER
RETROSPECT.

IN

Josephine
when

year,
he had

had

in her

been

vainly awaited

from

returned

Bonaparte

the
in

at

grave

arrival

Paris,

of

Eueil

nearly

Elba, where
Marie

Louise.

and

together they
of Eugene,
visited Malmaison.
During the absence
in
and during the
detained
who
was
Germany,
had
period of Napoleon's absence at Elba, Hortense
been
faithful to the imperial fortunes, although she
He

had

found

received

Hortense

some

favors

from

his

enemies, the

Bourbons.

They alighted at the gate of Malmaison

; as they
the vestibule. Napoleon was
entered
greatly moved.
of his adopted daughter, he walked
Taking the arm
with her in the gardens, through the park, and in
works
whose
the conservatory, conversing of her
from
side, had been the objects
greeted them
every
of her care.
of walk
At every
turn
or
alley,at the
entrance
to these
to every shaded
pathway, it seemed
to them, as she had
that she should appear
mourners
been
in life,the animating presence,
the soul of life
and gayety.
Filled with oppressive thoughts, they
entered
breakfasted
in silence.
the dwelling and

421

JOSEPHINE.

Then

the

with

the

there

Emperor slowly traversed the gallery filled

picturesJosephine had so carefullycollected
works

the many

of art

which

After
objects of her jealous care.
his desire to
Napoleon manifested
in which

had

his wife

he

but

him,

accompany
alone

pursued his
was
apartment, which
tender
the

bed

lost in
one

died.

to

been

the

inspecting them,
visit the

Hortense

signed

way

had

her

this

was

to

chamber
about

to

and

remain,

well-remembered

to him

fraught with so many

memories.
He
remained
beside
a long time
in which
her last,
Josephine had breathed
of that
the memory
reverie, dwelling upon

who

had

lived

once

then

he

with

him

descended

in

intimate

panionship,
com-

rejoin Hortense, a
which
he did not attempt to conceal.
prey to emotions
at the
That night, again, he was
Tuileries, where,
than at Fontainebleau,
more
even
says Bourrienne,
flooded
lections
his mind
was
by the deep and painful recolof the past. A few
nights after his return
hither he sent for M.
Horan, one of the physicians
had
who
attended
Josephine during her last illness.
did
leave
the
not
Horan,
So, Monsieur
you
What
No, Sire.'
Empress during her malady ?
of that
of
the
Uneasiness
cause
was
malady ?
to

''

'

'

'

Grief.'

mind

'What?
.

You

believe that

?'

(and Napoleon laid a strong emphasis on the word

believe,looking steadfastly in the doctor's face).
'

long ill ? Did she suffer

ill a week. Sire, her
much
?
She
was
Majesty
she see that she
suffered little bodily pain.' 'Did
'A sign her
V
was
dying ? Did she show courage
He

then

asked,

'

'

Was

she

422

JOSEPHINB.

she could
no
longer express
Majesty made, when
doubt
that she felt her end
no
herself, leaves me
to contemplate it without
approaching, she seemed
fear.'

^Well,
affected, drew
.

Napoleon, much
Horan, and added

then

well,' and

to Monsieur

close

did that
what
grief,from
'From
arise?'
passing events. Sire, from
your
Ah, she used to speak
Majesty's positionlast year.
*

You

she

that

say

in

was

'

'

his hand

Excellent
"

did

his

across

He

tears.

'Very often.'

?'

then

of me,

then

it had

proven
she

you,

What
"

had

loved

she

have

Good

loved

me

she

been

and

an

done

she

dread

of

truly, she
"

woman.'

would

idea.'

have

displeasing
'How?

French

was

for

filled with
woman.

you,

conceived

would
She

Ah,

it not

She
.

she not?'

'Yes, Sire, she

Napoleon drew

seemed
'

on

Josephine.
.

which

eyes,

went

Here

'

said

that,as Empress of the French,

drive through Paris, with eight horses to
she would
all her household
in gala livery,to
her coach, and
leave
at Fontainebleau, and never
go and rejoin you
one

day

more."

you

"Napoleon
most

were

covering
again betrayed deep emotion, on refrom
he
asked
the
which
physician the
of Joseminute
the nature
phine's
questions about
who
and
attendants
disease, the friends
around
her at the hour
of her death, and
the

conduct
Two
last

of her
months

campaign,

children."

later, Bonaparte
which

was

to

left Paris
result

in

for his

death,

in

428

JOSEPHINE.

exile

or

He

crown.

Waterloo, all he

at

wife

and

the few

had

staked

crown,

country,

son.

Convinced

leaving

speedilyreturned, having lost,

that

there

was

now

no

alternative

to

France

forever, the Emperor desired to pass

remaining days of his libertyat Malmaison.

friend
in misfortune,
Hortense, his ever-faithful
almost
to keep him
the sole remaining
came
company,
greatness. Napoleon
companion of his former
remained
five days at Malmaison, vainly attending
the awakening
of the country's dormant
patriotism ;
still ready to attempt again resistance
he was
to the

invaders.
his

But

the

sacrifice ; not

would

have

interests

on

the

of

field

died, but

France

of

demanded

battle, where

he

exile,beyond the
of the country he had
borders
made
so
great.
surrounded
Five days he lived in suspense,
by the
of his happier life now
evidences
past and
gone,
of those
the scenes
departed days
dwelling upon
when
at his side walked
a loving
companion, whose
charm
choly.
a
was
against gloom and melanpresence
gladly

as

an

fitting,that Napoleon should return

most
to this spot, of all others
intimately associated
his vanto muse
his happiest moments,
with
ished
upon
greatness, and pass in review the incidents of
It

was

most

his eventful
His

career

falls before

life.

ended

here

; at Malmaison

the stage upon

which

he

the curtain
had

performed
the warrior,

glorious feats of arms

; Napoleon
of states and empires,
the king-maker, the conqueror

such

424

JOSEPHINE.

trembled, all Europe

here
alone, abandoned
byprostrated herself, is seen
to
all, preparing for flight. At last, it had come
day,
the
this I On
twenty-ninth of June, 1815, at midof
to such
to Hortense, and
bidding farewell
his
friends
departed for
remained. Napoleon
as
the

whom

before

world

had

for the
hoping to take passage
States.
United
by
Disappointed, betrayed, watched
his relentless
foe, who guarded with her ships every
to England ; throwing
of escape, he surrendered
avenue
her
himself
his
generosity, to receive
upon

Rochefort,

there

"

at Saint

reward
He

no

Helena.

longer

cherished

the

delusion, so jealously
wife would
rejoin him
well persuaded that,

Elba, that his

in captivity ; but Napoleon was
had
Josephine been
alive,he. would

maintained

forsaken

Three

at

have

been

thus.

of

Napoleon, at Saint
of Josephine, Eugene, the faithful
laid in the
adopted father, was

after the

years

Helena, the
follower

not

son

his

death

of

Says Bourrienne
:
The Viceroy of Italywas
in Vienna
when
leon
Naporeturned
from
Elba, and fell under the suspicion
of the allies of having informed
of
the Emperor
their intention
of removing
him
from
the island.
He
in Bavaria
detained
was
by his father-in-law,
the King, to whose
he retired, and
court
who, in
of Leuchtenberg and Prince
1817, created him Duke
grave.
''

of Eichstadt.

With

the

protection

in wringing
from
actually succeeded
some
700,000 francs of the property

of

Bavaria,

he

the Bourbons
of his mother.

425

JOSEPHINE.
.

first attack

of

apoplexy struck him in 1823, and he

died from
second
in February, 1824, at Munich.
a
His descendants
intermarried
into the
have
royal
of Portugal, Sweden,
families
and
Brazil, Russia
'*

Wiirtemburg.
Josephine's daughter, Hortense, separated from
her husband, Louis
Bonaparte, and created Duchess
of St. Leu
in Paris, much
was
by Louis XVIII.
suspected by the Bourbons, but really engaged in a
lawsuit
about
the custody of her
with her husband
from
had
when
Elba.
She
Napoleon arrived
sons,
to go
of the
into hiding when
the news
landing
came
arrived, but her empty house, left unwatched, beuseful
for
receiving the Bonapartists,
very
*'

who

wished

them

for

of

place

concealment,

amongst

"

of all

!
people, Fouche
Hortense
met
was
some
by Napoleon with
reproaches for accepting a title from the Bourbons,
of the Elysee for him
but
she did the honors
; and
it is creditable
of them, that, braving the
to both
vile slanders
about
their previous intercourse, she

being,

"

him

with

was

persons

started

to

to

the

coast,

child of his discarded

**

Hortense's

peremptorily ordered

to

the

Aix, Baden,
small

but

shortest
and
brave

before

adopted daughter,
thought

was

Prussian

the

was

the

of the last

one

Malmaison

in Paris

dangerous,
at

his

that

he
the

wife.

too

to start

at

was

presence

by

; and

him

embrace

for the

end

governor,

and

to leave

notice

Constance,
canton

on

and

she

she

had

wandering

life

generosity of
enabled
Thurgau

till the
of

be

to

426

JOSEPHINE.

her

to

get

resting-placeat the Chateau

of Arenen-

berg.
^'In

she

1831

second

her

lost

^^She
to

the

in
she

and

and

third

country

at

last

emeute

an

to America

son,

by

was

younger

In

her

even

ence
pres-

Hortense's

1836

Louis
at

his
Napoleon, made
Strasburg and was
shipped

Government.

the

; but

and

thought dangerous,

soon

leave.

to

urged

was

revolutionary
brother, the

his queen

Philippe and

Louis

see

his

eldest then

engaged.
visit France
incognita,

able to

was

in

fever

surviving, who died from

he and
attempt in which
future
Napoleon III., were

the

son,

She

tempt
atoff

to France

went

out
plead for him, and then, worn
by grief and
which
to Arenenberg,
her
and
anxiety, returned
in reaching
Emperor, only succeeded
son, the future
her die, in October, 1837.
in time
to see
''She
laid with
was
Josephine at Eueil."
In the month
of August, 1831, a sorrowing woman,

to

exile

an

from

church

at Rueil.

who

man

and

to

came

had

foot of her
there
"

and

with

come

Hortense

her

to

pay

their

last

the

surmounts

spects
re-

tomb, and

long time engaged in prayer.

sorrowful
feelings oppressed me,"
a

in her

; and

ing,
leav-

of

which

statue

place, as I knelt
mother

then

was

Josephine. The Empress'

at the
grandson prostrated themselves

remained

What

she

mysteriously entered the little

She was
accompanied by a young

to the memory

daughter

which

France,

Memoirs,
before

the sad

the

''

as

I entered

image

of

wrote

this sacred

my

thought possessed me

cherished

that,

of

428

JOSEPHINE.

to any
doubt
utterance
he
never
Although
gave
if convinced
of her
respecting his second wife, even
her
with
but
compare
perfidy, yet he could not
"Josephine,
Josephine, to the latter's advantage.
have
abandoned
would
"said he,
never
me.
at least,
"

attached

was

the

votary

to

of art and

and

innocence

both

simple

the

wives

my

graces

nature

; the

; and

the

other

each

had

one

was

was
a

all
very

The
first,at no moment
high degree of merit.
that
assumed
attitude
of her life,ever
a position or
not pleasing or captivating ; it was
impossible
was
her feel the least
to take her by surprise,or to make
inconvenience.
of
She
resource
employed every
art to heighten natural
attractions,but with such
of allurement
trace
ingenuity as to render
every
other, on the contrary, never
imperceptible. The
cent
to be gained by innosuspected that anything was
.

artifice.
"

The

short of the truth

always somewhat
of nature
was
altogether frank and open,
; the other
The
first never
and was
a stranger to subterfuge.
for anything, but was
asked me
always in debt to
second
whenever
she
one
freely asked
every
; the
seldom
wanted, which, however, very
happened,
and she never
thought of receiving anything without
immediately paying for it.
Both
tached
amiable
and gentle, and strongly atwere
one

was

"

to

me.
.

"

have
completed my
by Josephine would
happiness,not only in a politicalpoint of view, but
of domestic
as
a source
result
felicity. As a political
son

429

JOSEPHINE.

it would
throne

have
; the

attached

of Rome

on

abyss

how

French

to the

King
an

secured

vain

to

the

me

people would
of Josephine

son

; and

covered

I should
with

possession
have

as

bed

they
have

not

been

as

all

much

foot

set my

of flowers.

calculations

human

the

to the

were

But
.

are

of

Who

can

lead to happiness or
pretend to decide on what may
ing
unhappiness in this life ? Still,I cannot
help believthat
such
union
would
have
a
pledge of our
of domestic
have
proved a source
felicity; it would
I
put an end to the jealousy of Josephine, by which
all was
after
was
continually harassed, and which
the offspring of policyrather
than of sentiment.
''Josephine despaired of having a child, and she
.

in

looked

consequence

future.

She

was

forward

well

with
that

aware

no

dread

the

to

marriage

is

children
at the
time
of her
perfect without
; and
second
no
nuptials there was
longer any probability
of her becoming
In proportion as her
mother.
a

fortune

advanced

her

alarm

increased."

of the
perfect knowledge
shades
of the
different
Emperor's character, and
she exhibited
the most
exquisite tact in turning this
''For
to account.
example," said the
knowledge
she never
solicited any favor for Eugene,
Emperor,

Josephine possessed

"

or

thanked

me

for

any

that

I conferred

additional

on

him.

complaisance
when
the
greatest
or
assiduity at the moment
Her
him.
lavished
honors
on
grand aim was
were
that this was
to prove
affair,not hers, and that
my
it tended
to my
advantage.

She

never

even

showed

any

430

JOSEPHINE.

"

She

failed

never

to

me

accompany

all my

on

privation could deter

she
her from
employed importunity
following me
; and
If
artifice to gain her point.
and
even
I stepped into my
carriage at midnight, to set out
the
surprise I found
on
longest journey, to my
Josephine all ready prepared, though I had no idea
of her
me.
But,' I would
accompanying
say to
possiblygo, the journey is too long
her, you cannot
'Not
at all,'
and will be too fatiguing for you.'
she would
set out instantly.
Besides, I must
reply.
take
a
'Well, I am
quite ready.' 'But you must
Oh, no, everything is packed
great deal of luggage.
generally obliged to yield. In a
up;' and I was
her husband
word, Josephine rendered
happy, and
At
constantly proved herself his sincerest friend.
journeys

; neither

fatigue

nor

...

'

'

'

'

all times

and

'

all occasions

on

perfect submission

most

I shall

never

she

devotedness

and

It

tenderness

been

has

said

that

the

life of

the

Empress
history ;

Josephine offers little valuable

material

for

but

contrary

; for

venture

we

believe

to

the

certainly, be unprofitable

as

thus

gratitude." *

and

the

; and

her with

to remember

cease

manifested

"Before

fully

Happy
Paris,

Austerlitz,"wrote

confident

to be

and

looked

on

which,

as

to

delighted
a

it could

would

wife

of

the

on

as

not, by

genuine compliment
not

dare

to

and

forsake."

her
to

and

the

the

from
for

maintained

whom

career

Empress

was

she

talk

display,
a

position, proceed

him

not,
can-

naturally

escape

opportunity

journey,
of

"

would

Bonaparte

fresh

reason

study the

to

de Remusat,

him

accompany

with

campaign

was

Fortune

the

as

allowed

Mme.

it

be.
of
she

composure
from

ference,
indif-

firmly believed

431

JOSEPHINE.

of

life

whose

one

was

and

social influence

the

record

so

eventful, whose

character

always rose to the level required

hy her high destiny. And
again : her life is the
find
canvas
which, in strong relief,we
upon
may
of that great genius with
projected the character
her fortune
In
whom
was
so
intimately associated.
glorious

of

life

her

consort

we

may

here

but

we

find

that

of

discover, not

her
the

of war,
to the world
to the courtiers
Napoleon known
and
macy
statesmen, but find him
dwelling in the intiof his family ; a man
of heart, of sensibilities,
of domesticity and
his
loving traits, that bind
find incontestible
friends
We
inseparably to him.
that
has been
evidence
Napoleon possessed, what
denied him
by his enemies, the capacity for love and
affection.
The history of Josephine's
for constant
to
life, therefore, is necessary
complete that of
figure
Napoleon : to soften the stern and martial
that shines isolate in his battles ; in fact, to give
a

human

aspect

of the tenderer
But

we

should

to

who

one

traits

of

note

has

been

declared

devoid

humanity.*
that the grander figure

of

of
efface
that
or
Bonaparte does not overshadow
his gentler companion
seeming incongruous,
; far from
in truth, the image of Josephine completely
with that of the modern
harmonizes
Charlemagne.
His rugged strength is tempered by her elegance,

brusqueness by her sweetness, his wit by her

tact, his passion by her mildness.
of mainTo Josephine belongs the signal honor

his

Aubenas.

432

JOSEPHINE.

taining herself with credit hy the side of this

at the resplendent summit
of Europe, when
not shine
She does
ambitions.
solely in the
of

refulgence,

his

for her

remembrance
memory

her

only to admire.

by

of

his

tion
reflec-

in

loving
personality,

remarkable

own

still cherished

her

held

is

she

but

master

nation

which

knew

wife, Josephine posNapoleon's second

sessed,
and complaisant
notwithstanding her amiable
nature, a strong and vigorous personality ; she has
Unlike

impressed herself
she dwelt, upon

the

life of the times

of

attention

those

in which
who

have

her.

succeeded
Napoleon

Josephine

"

recall

names

the

upon

two

these

:
"

types

of

two

inseparable

character

which

will

his
popular : in the one will be admired
genius and his grandeur ; in the other her grace and
goodness ; but impartial history will place above
these attributes, her devotion
and abnegation.
C^est mon
divorce
qui m^a perdu,^^said Napoleon,
when, at Saint Helena, he passed his life in sad
before
review
him, and reflected upon the unhappy

be forever

"

of

consequences

the

alliance

with

the

house

of

had

the

Austria.
What

would

he have

gift of prescience and

He

had

sundered

Josephine, for
and

the

added
have
the

ties

the

heritage.

that

reason

an
country demanded
birth of that heir, he lost the

object of

into

seen

ostensible

his

could

heir
crown

he have
the

future
him

bound
that

his

; but

which

?
to

destiny

after

the

was

the

433

J08BPHINB.

the

At

safeguard
a

to

France

default

of

and

his

the

of

heir

an

of

one

the

stability

on

his

Joseph,

these

eldest

crown

for

dynasty,

his

of

the

dying

to

was

was

or

The

issue,

male

King

Holland

of

the

to

Emperor

without

the

to

pass

crown

Louis,

to

or

brothers.

two

brother

the

part

and

descendants.
Was

it

the

not

for

provision

the
and

fulfilled,

of

Josephine

should

of

Napoleon

III.

the

great

his

first

Napoleonic

royal

fate,

of

son

the

Providence,
of

intention

the

eventually
and

Louis

original

the

should

grandson

in

throne,
or

Napoleon's
for

that

succession

occupy

error

dynasty

of

irony

that

be

out

and

brother

his

to

pass

heir

his

of

provided,

had

succession.

royal
In

Bonaparte

outset

had

Fate,
life,

the

by

perpetuation

person

fied
recti-

carrying
of

the

"/^

VOC^SCtACX t)"/VCL'
AO

CtO^ C'C^/C

Co.

()C/

"^

')7bn
w(.ou"/")^-wt
^ a^ovm/iAj-U/

^^t-

"^ X'-U^Vi"
^Joiv^o^l*Jt 4|0txC C^DcAA/At")l,A^ -^-w^oC^^-COuUxKA.
M

oAi-ot^

-Voi/

Vw)^
Jm
-^aJAa/CoJ:^^

\,ft^

VcwX^,

a^

^-vc^i

J. J'' JctOdtU JwLctXOdA

^oA^Jila.
J5"vxov",.

Jt) OiAA'COOU.

J1

Ol( OCA

"Jc

'La^

c^. c^t

Jn*^"AA^(wt^:
t^cvoA.*^JcA/i^o^tA^

'CU

jj

Jh

J
t^oo

JKo K

iliXiK

Jt

t^Xo^

tvyt/v"t

ti

/UouM)iA"ta^

j,/t.Xi^

vvlVi J"

CI OcX'CG J O

J Lt4^

T[P'"A

Yc/C^C/-C/"

Marriage

register

ok

JoseJ

KK/cxit*.
tA^tvJit*x
^vVU;a-"A.

J"

V"

"VOviA/i,

a""^*^"""()oM^

e^

vtdtA'
0|U*/Uv"*i*l

APPENDIX.

I.

English

Admiral

Barbados.
line

similar

flag

enemy's
the

side

St.

silenced
the

this

to

to

be

the

to

the

10th,

strong

possession
with

Haviland,

of
the

of

was

lost,

it, until

eight

finding

Anse.

roads

The

Pigeon

his

Haviland
to

*'

for

the

ships
doing
her

troops,
and

Haviland

landed

were

Island.

marines

relieve

impassable

the

Dragon,"

sent

on

ing
judg-

however,

troops

in the

in

rocks

landing

landed

men,

-battle

of

Gtenerals

opposite

General

hundred
the

for

by

Anse,

reef

the

on

coast,

general,

place

Hervey,

Grand

on

the

hoist

Trinite,

himself
line-of

of

The

heights

Captain

in

fort

part

to

the

distract

La

anchored

that

Petit

to

from
of

ships

off

The

commanded

bay

he

sail

the

sent

were

under

sailed

time,

Martinico.

improper

an

of

one

ports,
trans-

men,

five

same

saved.

were

marched
"On

the

by-

with

and

13,965

detached

At

Reasonable"

Rodney,

Monckton,

ordered

on

Indies,"

Admiral

troops,

and

1762.

"

1827.

Greneral

island

the

Bay,

brigades,

two

Grant,

of

stores

of

frigates

batteries

"

and

and

five

Ann's

the

which

sent

his.

to

opposite

men

Bay,

West

frigates, bombs,

Rodney

attention,

8th, in

Royal

Fort

to

Martinique,

the

Rear-

January,

Major

of

command

the

of

London,

battalions

eighteen

and

History

line, besides

the

of

sail

eighteen

of

fifth

of

capture

Southey

the

Upon

the

Chronological

Thomas

Captain
"

*'

the

From

of

account

silenced
and

Colonel

took
ville,
Mel-

him.

General

cannon,

sent

to

436

APPENDIX.

that

Monckton

General

inform

the

During

reimbarked.

the

had

troops

brigades

better

be

attacked,

were

with
loss ; and
compelled
at St. Ann's, rethe troops, after blowing up the batteries
and proceeded to Fort Royal Bay.
feints
Various
embarked
but

assailants

night

the

the

ordered

were
"

Early

different

in the

morning

them

by

above

the

as

soon

the

sixteenth,

Cas-des-navire

troops

formed

Monckton

bay, and

the

of the
in

noon,

retreat

parts of the island.

batteries

the

General

and

were

at

cannonade

silenced

to

Bay.

landed

were

his
the

as

ships began

could

tents

Having

without

loss,

the

on

army

to

heights
camped
landed, en-

be

there.
"

of

height

the

resolved

general

The

tc

Gamier

besiege Fort

and

Tortueson,

defend.

appeared

resolved

ravine

attack, and to defend

the 24th, at day-dawn,

to

On
the head

of the

attacked
with

the

his

the

to turn

time

same

nine

and

with

which
The

and

Royal.

advanced

on

opposite Morne
corps,
"

and

Next

citadel

Garnier.

the

day,

of Fort

it

left

road

English began

Royal, but

At four'p.

m.

on

were

the

an

were
was

they

all the

took

between

at

brigade,

were

to

right, one

he

as

Scott, went
did

; at

them.

redoubts
in

sand
thou-

up

all before

in confusion

; these

cross

marched

Colonel

Scott, with

and

Gamier

the

and

Colonel

the

the

to

driving

retired

Rollo's

marines,

under

defended,

was

French

English.
Fort

Lord

left,which

were

Tortueson

M., Morne

A.

to

boats, rowing

their

grenadiers

had

enemy

the

by

brigade,

upon

the

time. Brigadier Rufane,

flat-bottomed

another

to carry

sary.
necesbattery was
Brigadier-General Grant,

along the shore

enemy
the

them

and

which

English

same

reinforced

in

seamen,

the

At

enemy.

redoubts

advanced

The

grenadiers, supported by

brigade,

the

attack

to

Royal,

the

By

and

teries
bat-

possession of the
to Morne

Garnier

Walsh's

brigade,

advantageous

position

supported by Haviland's
covered

to erect

by the marines.

against the

batteries

greatly annoyed
27th, the French

from

made

Morne
furious

437

APPENDIX.

attack

on

the

land's

brigade

posts occupied by the lightinfantry and

;

and

brigade
assistance

strong

the

when

post

grenadiers

but

attack

which
The

it batteries

from

the

fort.

attacking
of

3d

to

The

of

number

with

island

the

now

proposed
to

attack

St.

arrived

with

island.

On

the

the

The

hundred
*'

sent

14th

men,

The

for

of the
the

gate of

the

garrison, to
morning,

next

but

As

the

February
took

and

his
in

the

la

Touche, the

Pierre, which

the

from

de

la

of

the

of

were

Touche
whole

settled,on

Pierre, and

St.

M.

with

ing
embark-

were

terms

staff,with

Rouille, the

grenadiers,

some

all
tenant
lieu-

were

transports.

of this island

cost

the

English

including ofl"cers,killed and

France, at his

found

troops

capitulation

possession

governor,

de

to St.

deputies

two

for

M.

privateers were

Royal.

quarters of

Britannic

about

four

wounded.

By the articles of capitulation, all the troops

to

and

yards

surrendered

different

the

his forces

the

for France

conquest

Pierre,

English

governor,

'*

the

evening

out,

Fourteen

proposals

forts, while

embarked

with

of Fort

the

On

taken,

February

marched

from

to defend.

harbor

16th

arrived

retired

in the

the

the

hundred

the

on

the

into

preparations

English.

desiring a capitulation

governor-general,
he

to the

be

to

the

of

turned,

country.

governor

4th

the

war.

Deputations

"

the

eight hundred,

of

honors

commanded

four

chamade

this very

m.

retired

the

seeing

the

place by capitulation ; on
the citadel was
given up
the

into

their

to
,

had

about

enemy,

day

P.

Capuchin

erected

Next

February.

It

regulars

the

marched

By nine

their

Walsh's

ground.

artillerywas

Morne

place, beat

the

the

Grant,

own

the

fugitives,seized

of

dispersed
be

great loss,and

carried.

French

30th, the general ordered

upon

the

began.

their

militia

the

with

under

completely

was

morning.

town,

with

possession

the

citadel,against
next

ravine

took

and

repulsed

were

the

English passed
batteries

but

Havi-

Majesty's

were

expense.

to be

The

438

APPENDIX.

"militia

the

request that

part of the said

make

other

inhabitants
retire

garrison, may
"

servants, likewise

their

with

and

allowed
was
capitulation,M. de Tascher
for his plantation.
of St. Lucia, Tobago, and
The islands
taken

the

by

British

"

Martinico

were

would

that

them.

light on

not

afflicted

with

and

children

on

able

In

in

who

whether

the

their

from

Africa.

; the

largest

voracious

most

birds

greatest precautions

attacks

on

who

men

confined

were

unable

were

subsist

the

who

it

supposed

were

ships

to

culinary vegetables

to

short

women

on

sores,

debated

slave

even

requisite to prevent

were

to-day

are

ants

all the

hardly

were

infested

so

the

destroyed

they

quadrupeds

trees

were

by ants,

These

in

here

brought

been

to have

the

promptly

infested

was

seriously

was

abandoned.

to be

have

not

Martinique

it

that

extent

an

of

island

The

"

might
In

this

Vincent,

and

month,

same

homes,

under

leave

St.

now

possession."

1763

such

the

English

; and

to

"

their

to

granted

was

that

in

were

bed,
child-

to assist themselves."

n.
Slaves
says,

is of

force

their

slaves

to such

to avoid

to such

enslaved

than

infirm, worse
adds,

expired

The

and,
'

said

owner

took

poker
death

In Jamaica

their

his

into

to stir him

labor

who

name

of

beings

where

is

old

the
up,

poor

the

laughing

at

to

to be

and
seen,

forced

who

Chaperon,

shrivelled

refuse

I have

...

Lang

planters

when

them,

oven,

rascal

they

race

horses.
was

heated

the

treat
and

dogs

that

Mr.

French

some

generating

jaws being

I believe

testimony,

that

hard

masters,

planter, whose

of his negroes

one

whose

Bossu,

great weight, relates

in order

marry,

he

"M.

1751.

"

wretch

barbarous

me,' and

up."

penalty was
applied
(English) in quelling an

for most

trivial

insurrection

offences.

of the black

440

APPENDIX.

; and

Belleisle

and

in

the

condition

same

British

the

conquered by

islands shall be

of those

fortresses

the

they

arms,"

in

were

when

they

stored
re-

were

etc.

III.

' '

Hurricane

Great

The

Martinico,

At

1766.

began,

hurricane

and

gale abated,
the

; the

roots

and

size,

the

bodies.

At

quite calm

was
"

rivers

had

shore

was

a.

and

besides

wrecked,
perished

under

that

number

over

the

and

in

the

of

The

writer

months

after

probably

of

their
in

find

covered

torn

of

stones

wrecks
burst

by

up

enormous

dead

and

English

seven

passage

shall

St.

Mt.

upon

six it

At

vessels

Ninety

canoes.

Pierre

alone.

the

were

persons
twice

and

houses,

own

nearly

celebrated

was

present
that

distress

the

m.

smooth.

hurricanes, throughout

hurricane
month

a.

neighboring plains.

was

wounded

1766

year

the

added

In

going

calamities,

same

places still worse."

and
In

three

trees

with

and

ruins

the

island, we

some

The

the
sea

by

water-spout

twelve

were

west.
north-

appeared

down

strewn

French

Twenty-eight

At

Pierre

blocked

brought

m.,

the

St.

of

were

overwhelmed

Peleus, and

the

from

earthquake

an

hurricane.

streets

roads

five

dreadful

the

The

ruins.

August,

gale

of

shock

increased

of the

to the horrors

m., with

p.

West-Indies.''

of

13th

the

upon

the

midnight

At

with

ten

at

*'

Southey's

:"

and
never

for
the

century,

probably
Martinique was

visited

the

quakes
earth-

numerous

West

Indies.

the

disastrous

most

in the

year

1891, in

August.
of
this

this

biography

terrible

destitution

event, and

throughout
from

recover

visited

of the

population has

been

white

inhabitants,
as

to

the

the

was

the

blow,

and

four

island

witness
island.
the

to

It

will

character

affected,by the hegira of

observer.
a casual
impress even
so

the

the

441

APPENDIX.

The
the

following
of the

Report

*'

Early

presented
with

leaden

very

first
*'

It is stated

feet

Rock

high

The

at

ten

a.

through

ruin

the

hurricane
the

during

pressure)
E. N.

E.

S. S.

to

there

unaccompanied
there

storm

intervals
visited

had

forest

been

The

appearance.
favorable

weather,

of its value.
been
* '

during

very

The

result

being

thermometer
the

storm.

the

and

the

six

force

and

ranged from
a

metric
baro-

sheet

earthquake,

at

in

September

as

though
the

charred

than

one-fifth

appear

than

property.

90

deluge

to 100

of

"="

there

loss, with

the

more

most

was

distilleries

*="

ning,
lightthe

without

other

from

after

destruction

to

one

every

immediately
of

of

destructive.
of

least, and

amount

and

plains

veered

most

Early
the

way

was

about

reduced

the

shocks

suffered

There

at

peculiar feature

flashes

fire, although

factories

the

elevated

the

vegetation looking

not

in

sea

terrible

of

incessant

seconds.

will

100

Lucia, closely

cyclone the wind

distinct

cane

the

about

experienced by

completely destroyed

more

The

One

by thunder,

and

trees

St.

with
On

latter
were

vicinityof

island

the

path.

the

all the

the

of

of

deafness

five

about

Trinite,and

complete,

ravines

two

were

of

the

E., the

the storm

During

side

During

fall,at

to

time.

(possiblythe

storm

day.

little higher

wave,

although

east

in its

the

was

immense

one,

complete.

most

was

entire

the

in the

were

an

at the

the

E. N. E.

it conunenced

direction

smaller
calm

the

August

skydecidedly threatening,

who

the

destroying everything
the

of

winds, mostly from

m., that

from

struck

rushing

18th

rapidly.

very

by fishermen

quite

was

storm

M.,

then

by another

vicinity

the

afternoon, when

passed

followed

of

very

and

gradually

Caraval

Keevil, U. S. Consul

appearance,

varied

1891, is from

of

oppressive during
only slightly,but was

was

until

usual

hurricane

gusts of variable

barometer

than

B.

A.

morning

temperature

The

p.

occasional

The

Hon.

the

on

the

of

account

to

have

Fahrenheit

rain,one

account

442

APPENDIX.

stating that
My

residence

own

the

and

throughout

case

Rouge,

where

loss of

life,so

island

the

in

eight
far

700, and

was

nine-tenths

large in the

Pierre, but

prices of provisions have

and

vessel

wrecked

was

The

scene

and

the

Such

island

the

inhabitants
of

night

All

laboring class,was
300

are

sorely

terror

the

be

and

Every

sail in

50

difficult to

stricken

the

destroyed,

cent.

per

about

damaged,

total

obtained,

enormous.

was

presents would

Mome

The

be

can

advanced

badly

or

in

lost their lives.

property

as

in St.

small

was

notably

information

of the

reliance

water,

buildings in St. Pierre,

towns,

family

one

evening.

with

flooded

loss of life

the

interior

of

loss

and

that

hours

few

of the

reliable

as

the

fruit, the main

fell in

unroofed

was

with

was

inches

four

over

all.

describe,

demoralized.

imagination

scarcely

can

picture."
1770.

Of

"We

almost

her

two

without
seated
the

the

of

of

either

floor,with

her

sable

of

the

damsels

Morpheus

the

Her

ideas

before
of

the

she
and

her

are
:

When

of every

of the

sleep

her.

In

two

or

the

gentle

the

drowsy

the

on

her

sole of

speech

arrived

is

at mature

ordinary

makes

her

rational

abscond
creature.

subjects that

plantation, the

pass

tittle-tattle

tricks, superstitions, diversions,

of the black

and

conversation

business

ignorance

parish, the

unpolished.

from

arouses

to the

with

scratchin^s

childish.

narrowed

around

provokes

of her

profligate discourses
and

third

loose

usual, while
face

her

muffled

gobbling pepper-pot,

siesta, as

or

the

and

dress

handmaids

delicious

by

When

sight

settees,her head
her

"

servant, lolling

negro

her

refresh

fan,

consciousness

from

her

takes

the

or

find

whining, languid
age,

beds

we

At

she

foot.

air of

the

awkwardly

woman

handkerchiefs,

three

these

breathings
powers

with

observes

writer

young

noon

afternoon

three

fine

day upon

or

English

an

very

arms

stayc.
on

whole

the

with

Creoles,

see

may

dangling

up

the

and

servants, equally illiterate

443

APPENDIX.

Whilst

**

for their

(he adds) I render

to

the

Creole

ladies

qualities,impartiality forbids
I mean
highly to their discredit.
their

nurse

the

been

have

is

what

disdaining

praise to

amiable

many

suppress

all

offspring.

own

little

poor

victims

to

me

their

Numberless
.

this

to

pernicious

..."

custom.

IV.
December.

1778.

and

French

the

flag in sight

with

d'Estaing,

of 12

by

transports, with

9,000 troops

only

in

1,300

number,

the

at

led

advanced,

by the Count

Bouille, the

governor

troops

kept

to

were

check

any

to

of

On

the

...

the

with

Notwithstanding

bay.

impetuosity,
entrenchment
received

great effect,by
and

the

when

the enemy

on

of the

the

and

the

and

sea

troops

remainder

to

and

General

succor

columns
on

they
the

advance

bayonet.

The

of

great

close
once

were

south

with

charged

de

of the

brigade,

line fired but

point of

had

Marquis

the

batteries

to

was

mander
com-

their

5,000 of

this, they

British

the

French

Prescott's

the

was

be made

suffered

were

The

approach

was

troops, who

d'Estaing,

might

he

though

peninsula by

about

General

that

his

day

men,

The

Martinico.

watch

attempt

Meadows.
enfiladed

and

time,

same

the

his

; and

the

attack

M.

operations until

to

ships,

As

in America.

determined

when

sight. Besides

veteran

were

last French

General, Meadows,

distinguished themselves
land

his

strong ground

of very

possession

Barba-

frigates,privateers, and

British

The
.

The

board.

on

deferred

d'Estaing

advanced,

following morning.
in

fleet of

numerous

from

line-of -battle

heavy

of St.

at Martinique

struck,

in

large force, hove

original squadron
accompanied

attack

not

was

island

heard

forts.

the

hills

the

among

the

to

reduced

nearly

had

and

been

have

must

between

contest
in the

place

took

Ekiglish sailed

"The

far

English

the

....

does,

sanguinary

most

cannonading

; the

Lucia

to

and

the
then

French
,

444

APPENDIX.

As

entirely repulsed.
the

attack
the

affair

was

third

wounded

wounded

the

island, without
On

sight, the

Chevalier

offered

granted

were

sent

without
Soon

and

d'Estaing

which

blockade

as

Fort

the

Royal,

the

was

habitant
principal interms

be

were

exchanged,

from

repulsed

the

West

Indies,

fleet the

English
commander

where

he

garrison

to

war

by

troops, and

favorable

and

them,

Before

very

been

in

the

gave

determined
of

had

arrived

Byron

reinforcements

and

parole.

on

his

and

commandant

for the

attempt

island.

of

days afterwards,

further

Micoud

prisoners

as

Count

Admiral

de

The

arms,

after

Lucia,
such

them.

their

the

and

to have

embarked

capitulate, and

to

Martinique

to

abandoned

the

dead

accountable

any

28th, he

But

they tiad attacked.

for ten

making

the

day following

of

their

allowed

was

remained

and

1,100 wounded,

himself
he

again,

charge.

by land.

or

He

dead

the

bury

the

upon

of war,

and

the enemy

rendered

formed

were

totally broken, and

were

killed

field,400

prisoners

as

to

out

the

they

to the

disorder, leaving

utmost

d'Estaing having

M.

on

returned

be

they

again repulsed

were

considerably superior to

number

sea

decided

the
on

they

before

they could

as

time, they

soon

in

retired

soon

renewed

was

again,

and

extremely

great resolution, suffered

with

to

with

superiority,
the

attempt

French

the

St.

had

ships

rendezvoused.
But

as

England,

Admiral

fleet ; the

result

by
It

large English

the

was
a

The

French

being

considered

for

visits
a

he

whole

waited

was

D'Estaing.

spread through

with

see

to sail

it,with

all the

contented

in

and

M.

French

his

nada,
Gra-

British
himself
at

d'Estaing,
islands.
with

turning
re-

Martinico, by

sight of St. Christopher's.

the

for

to oppose

formerly received

day
to

ready

part way

impossible

had

then

capture of St. Vincent

admiral, however,

the

afterwards

the

under

general panic

parading

sailed

Byron

French

now

and

convoy

homeward-bound

He

446

APPENDIX.

West-India
with

about

North

22 sail-of-the-line

doubtless

was

France

in

admiral

the

sailed

1780

"

then

proceeded,
the

frigates,to

off Fort

Since

of

coast

Lucia,

for several

paraded
the

line, and

of

surprising

the

the
of

the

into

Fort

Gros-Ilet

and

Bay,
the

the

whole

in

force, put
looked

Pierre, on
leeward

to

sea

which

of

into

the 16th

letter

to

we

of Pearl

command
who

enemy,

Lucia,

with

25

of

ships

hopes

their

views

Vaughan,

They

before

had

in

were

in

Bar-

at

retired

arrival

my

at

of March.
be

visit,and

possibly got ready,

offer them

April, proceeded
for

being

near

two

In

days

of
his

to

the

whole

offered
count

termined
de-

; and

battle

with

enough

random-shot

port.
15th

till the

notice

having

fleet

the

me

upon

Parker.

hours

notwithstanding

remain

Admiral

troops by General

where

within

Guichen,

gallant

arrival

disappointed

few

of

2d

; the

at times

remained

of

were

their

return

battle

stowed
be-

April 26, 1780.

of my

station, the

fleet could

the

Royal Bay,

to

Maetinico,

troops, and

27th

fleet off Fort

chose

Rodney's

full

on

de

B.

taking

of the

accordingly,

and

French

St.

island,

on

as

to

guns,

the

before

days

frigates

Royal

soon

enemy

with

ships by Rear- Admiral

Bay,

"As

Americans.

lordships

in that

good disposition

and

the

of the

Bay,

their

Majesty's ships

of his

French,

Sir G.

for

unwittingly

...

Royal

Fort

Saint

sailed

acquainting

and

of the

Empress

Royal.
.

Josephine

attention

engagement

Sandwich,

badoes

the

10

this

assistance

to the

Admiralty.

M.

and

after

future

Rodney's

"

Guichen,

by

and

danger,

fleet in which

the

1779, and

upon

"

of

America."

This

the

clear

convoy

the
their

of their forts.

some

superior numbers,
both

this situation

fleets

...

when

inst.,
in the

middle

the

of the

being given me, I

Fort
Royal Bay,

night

general

their

ate
; immedi-

followed

them

and

road

of

the

got sight of them, about

Rock.

with

enemy,

chase

and

St.

eight leagues to
to the

N.

W.

446

APPENDIX.

and

followed,

frigates,a lugger

"

"

Venus

and

"

and

indicated
should

line-of -battle

and

of the
battle

to avoid

article

minutes

of

few

of

*'

in the

"

for

of

an

the
"

that
To

shelter under
to follow

in,

the

signal to

night
they
.

for

prepare

and

such

night

''

ship

when

four,

his

and

motion

every

the

enemy,

be

the

distance

Guichen,
guns,
the

At

the

...

said

of the

of several

The

engaging

away.

may

to

in the

ninety

after

enemy

condition

M.

mounted

half,bore

to be

pletely
com-

from

van

ularly
ships, partic-

twenty-four hours was

impossible to
water, that it was

which

for

without

the

tage.
greatest disadvan-

As

I found

action
it

was

they took
in vain

...

Majesty's

them, with

the

most
head-

Sandwich,"

prevent the risk of another

Guadeloupe.

be

to

of the

one

fires from

Fendant,"
a

was

above

the

intention

my

m.,

battle ;

signal for close action.

till

"

the

hour

p.

one

they had

in which

was

Admiral's

one,

the

tions.
fighting instruc-

signal for

it

several

repeated

crippled

difficultykept

...

received

Sandwich,"

them

; at

battle,the

; but

and

of the

pursue

mirably
ad-

was

all their motions.

that

before

and

the

beaten

were

"

Triumphant"

rear,

Majesty's

determined

was

the

the

course

continued

center

Couronne,

conclusion

with

to engage.

Sandwich

the

the

officer.Captain
during

the

I made

signal

minutes

center, after having

the

which

additional

the

ships began the action

"

motions,

enemy

I made

later

after, the
A

example.

in the

his

counteracted

morning,

next

close, and

' '

between

veteran

; but

ordered

21st

minutes

action

and

good

and

came

eleven-fiftythe signal for every ship to bear

for her opposite in the enemy's line, agreesteer
ably

Five

began

their

night

ahead,

gun-ship,

at

to the

engage

that

keep

to

watch

therefore

eleven,

battle,and

"

50

When

cutter.
.

by

plainly discovered

we

one
sail-of-the-line,

maneuvers

not, and

At

down

done

wish

evening

Greyhound

The

Ferguson.

few

and

enemy's fleet,to

the

well

"

23

fleet in

the

I found

the

of

they consisted

that
3

five in

at

of the

fleet in the condition

enemy

they

indicating their

448
in

APPENDIX.

favor

loyalty

Americans.

the

of

mother

to the

of the

destruction

to

their

island, and

small

sugar

colonies,

unnatural

present

rights
colonies, could receive
any
their
fellow-subjects in England, at
the

immigration

the

former

which

the

whose

prerogatives

the

colonies,though
royal powers
own
their

as

of

great purposes

to

by

in different
of

time

rights

degrees,

mankind

to

those

of

both

insist that

the

not

are

share

been
be

deplore, and

behold

with

into

execution,

for

state

of

slavery

sovereign,
shall

be

colonists
of his
his
"

the

as

forced

them

upon

confirmed
devised

West

Commons,

and

stated

amounted

property

of many

by

the

to

said

as

become

was

their

the
and

carried

abject

an

from

the

no

law

rights,

as

parent

common

mediator

between

then

$150,000,000

employed

; and

the House

petition to

property
of

upwards
islands

that

just rights, that

the

British

millions

claim

that,

planters, in

that

From

subjects.

American

Indian

for

England,

into

and

to

would

well

as

almost

plan

injurious

; and

its

legislation ; they

colonies

the

of their

guarantee

of

demand

they

people, his Majesty

The

created

and

Englishmen

or

European

Indies

amazement,

reducing

of

people

rights

own

of

charters, proclamations,

subjects of the
their

they have

for

to all the

powers,

could

of

Crown,

protection, and obedience.

prescription, compact,
these
and other
premises, the petitioners declare
colonists

their
their

the

liberal

These

which

from

of

but

but

privileges,had

means

of

conquerors

the

the

They

communicate

no

government.

every

affording security

follow

colonization, communicated

original rights and

them,

inevitable

totally independent

were

most

privileges

equally possessed

were

the

the

or
or

not

had

people

the

privileges, and

could

peers

greatest

that

must

settlers

ancestors, the

the

Americans.

the

with

contest

their

that

denied

declare

they

country,

calamities

dreadful

professing

After

that

in

the

in

the

that

the

whole

of

West

further

commerce

produce

APPENDIX.

ultimately

in Great

centered

449

Britain.

that the
They showed
plantations were
necessarilydependent upon external
sugar
support, and that the profitsarising from the island in a
depended on a free intercourse
great measure
with
North
from

America,
necessaries
This

for the

feelingof

West

An

sympathy
trade

furnished

were

of their

of which

the

plantations."

universal

was

with

throughout

extensive

was

the

with

the

colonies.
of

instance

reprisalfor

in

manner

which

England

took

alleged violation of the laws of neutrality,is

history of the island of St. Eustatius, belonging

Dutch.

the

the

an

in the

given

they

maintenance

the

Indies,

American

to

whence

ambassador

In

1777, Sir Joseph Yorke, the

memorial
a
Hague, delivered

the

at

States-General,

in

which

he

declared

that

English
the

to

the

King, his
master, had borne with unexampled patience the irregular
conduct
of the subjects of their High-Mightinesses, in their
illicit
colony of St. Eustatia, which
an
was
carrying on
with

trade

America.

Eustatia, M.
of

shot

fortress

by

is said

paid the
Therefore, in

rebel

his

of the

menacing

in the

most

which

may

the

have

by

of

of the

and

name,

rebel

flag.
the

by

his

their

High-Mightinesses

Fort

Orange,

inunediate

by

counter

at St.

recall

of the

any

an

the

first

express
a

formal

Eustatia,

to

governor.

memorial, complaining

English court,

manner,

St.

act

or

and
mark

disavowing,
of

honor,

given by their ofiicers to any vessels

far as it might
colonies
of America,
so

been

have
the

implied
29

tone

express

to

salute

the

Majesty's

salute

ship, and

of the

belonging

that

from

of

governor

good authority, to have been

American
flag in a foreign port.)

States answered

The

the

on

demanded

disavowal

and

government,

salute

the

that

permitted the seizure of

privateer, within cannonhe had
returned, from

American

an

island

the

order, he

had
,

of his

(This

stated

Graaf

Van

vessel

English

He

recognition

of

American

independence.

450

APPENDIX.

said

English ministry

The

they

satisfied

were

dated

yet, the English manifesto

against Holland,

20th, 1780, contained

following assertion

Indies, particularly

West

the

protectionand

assistance

Their

subjects.

their

stipulation as

with

correspondence

of

seized

threatened

to

resistance.
this

violation
.

The

of

squadron,

in

destroy the

who

latter

the

before

surrender.

could
was

making

de

believe

any

but

discovery

1778."
.

Dutch

and

had

Martin's,

made

protested solemnly

of

desired

any

against

full

events,

faction.
satis-

York

part of the

year

1780.

This

Graaf

the

that
he

and

it ;
usual

rich

and

General

was

and

officer who

answered,

that
such

of

rapacious
of

St.

Vaughan
to

then
and

the

ignorant
at

first

summons

being incapable

of

he

of

force,

only recommending
clemency

his

governor

Holland,
carried

with

island

the

to

governor,

England
the

the

summons

Sir

forged by

was

New

defense, against

necessity surrender
to the known

secrot

suspected

was

from

it, with

M.

serious

whose

returned

rupture between
not

prevalence

the

fort of St.

if the

town

solemn

part of the

fortunate

the

territory,

of the

arms

English squadron

an

his eye upon

sea-dog had long had
Eustatius, and in February, 1781, he

appeared

to

September,

under

in this chain

Eodney,

George

the

and

wisest

subject

by

vessels

their

the

link

next

known

States-General

The

into

inconsistent

so

Amsterdam,

August, preceding,

American

some

every

rebellious

our

clear

as

conduct,

rebellious

them, signed

of

ninth

of

our

made

was

treaty with

The

and

it

before

long
of

This

merchants

leading

the

recruited, their prizes bought

crews

to the
good faith, so repugnant
nation, is chiefly to be ascribed

Dutch

received

all

with

"In
.

there, supplied with

refit

made.

be

can

December

to

openly

are

this,

Eustatius,

given

all this in violation

; and

sold

in and

to

Zt.

at

been

privateers

ammunition,

of

has

harbors, allowed

Dutch
and

the

with

British

must

the inhabitants
commanders.

APPENDIX.

The
which
of

of the

value

confiscated

Rodney

the

Dutch

war.

All
the

even

It

with

covered

claimed

before

assistance

from

Vaughan

wrote,

port since
'

'

it

been

not

flag,which

received
General
"We

took

ships

extremely

answers

17

long

of money.

sterhng

stores, St. Eustatius

warlike

greatest auctions
Invitation
was
given
for

have

February,

less than

no

had

and

into

come

the

captured."

was

the

that

became

opened in
protection afforded
was

and

ever

of all sorts.

nations, and

of all

Dutch

smugglers

would

of the

of St. Eustatius.
of

7th

attacking
aware

of

nest
war

3,000,000 pounds
the

have

for

Except

the

for
was

rebels

island

same

at least

there

well, as

richly

many

sugar.

government

if the

on

continued

have

We

this

and

in his defense

the

terminated

possessionof

exclusive

was

sail,

250

some

tobacco

by Rodney,

island

been

This

crown.

that it was
beginning of hostilities,
that
the American
privateers, and
since

$15,000,000,

five smaller
vessels
of
frigate,and
magazines were
bursting with
stores, and

the

defenseless

port,

above

to

38-gun

beach

was

amounted

to the

in

then

shipping

laden,

plunder

451

Never

was

the
to

universe.

purchasers

better

of

one

market

buyers."

has

testifyto

Rodney

American

for

this

its

alleged part

and

Dutch
the

time

with

under

the
then

Count
a

fleets

her

they vented

the

West-Indies,
squadron

wreaked

England

America,

in

Indies, where
At

at

to-day

its

the

hands

of

her

upon

defense

the

in

revenge

of

the

colonies.

Defeated

first upon

attack

devastation

complete

had

manner

nation

another

base

this

island

The

Vaughan.

and

this

the

entirely ruined.

were

from

recovered

never

ruins

In

inhabitants

the

But

de

spleen of their
the

Grasse

Hood

to

the

West

commanders

French.

large fleet,and

Sir Samuel

resorted

feU

was

expected

in

April the

in

with

the

in

the

British

French,

452
off

APPENDIX.

which

forces

for

avoided

the

an

ment
engage-

capture of Tobago,

followed.

soon

of

governor-general

ever-alert

The

his

preserved

and

Admiral

the French

But

Martinique.

French

the

Antilles,

was
Marquis de Bouille, learning that St. Eustatius
hastily invaded
feebly garrisoned by its British conquerors,

the

and

it,without

captured

restored

Dutch

the

to

confiscated

and

and

Saba

later, St. Christopher's, the

and

proving

Grasse

De

and

than

more

the

and

activity

have

to

General

fell to

also

French

private property,

own

Kodney

Bartholomew

St.

The

man.*

2,000,000 francs, said

Admiral

by

of

his

governor

some

appropriated

loss

the

Vaughan.
French,
of

energy

the

been

and

Bouille

could

English

cessfully
suc-

combat.
The

reprehensible

brought
a

subject
*

notice

the

to

official

of

Nov.

19, 1739.

appointed

was

the American

of

He

others

from

valor.

At

same

the

In
eastern

military

XVI.
entered
which

he

division

the

projected
into

the

plan

rendered

were

(June 21, 1791).

Kussia,later

to

of

and

Bouille

England,

14th, 1800."

such

and

of

all the

by

the

fled

from

where

he

was

and

the

consulted

necessary
of the

France,
his

and

took

desperate

that, on

ing
visit-

with

ration.
admi-

contended

troops.

he

but

in command

disposition

arrest

wrote

country,

received

ably

France,

made

of the French

constant

was

he

general,

War,
beginning of

at the

his

their

Years'

magnanimity
he

revolution

spirit

Seven

and

to

rebellious

the

futile

1768,

fightingwith

France,

flightfrom

Fran"^aise; London,
died Nov.

of the

de, French

in the

them

made

that

governor-general

was

of peace,

mutinous
his

in

displayed

conclusion

arising from

and

himself

were

and

moved

Marquis

Guadeloupe

Vaughan

Parliament,
Burke

Amour,

English,

time

first years

the

difficulties

Mr.

only preserved

the

at the

England,

inquiry.

independence

not

several

British

of

and

Rodney

Distinguished

governor
war

Indies.

West

"

of

of the

Claude

Bouille, Francois

born

conduct

of the

with
of

the

great
lation
popuLouis

When

Bouille,

preparations

king
went

Memoires

at

; but

Varennes

afterwards
sur

who

to

la Revolution

1797 ; first published in French, 1801.

He

453

APPENDIX.

actions

dishonest

were

of 163

vote

The

other

Indies,

and

to

fro

the

on

de

French

the

of

now

Marquis

across

Tobago,

loss, while

Rodney's

fleet

four

sail.

of

hours'

The

memorable

and

they

by which
and

arrived

anticipation

of

this

on

the

11th

November,

December,

with

17 sail of the

Sandy-Hook,
5th

of

1782.

In

"

Christopher's,
sail of the

29

naval

with

the
and

Barbados,

to

After

island.

The

in the

downfall

battle
French.

French

islands
of St.

Sir

but

islands, Antigua,

three

in

was

Hood

left

at Barbados

St.

at

with

effected

Hood,

in

advantage

which

Samuel

the

withdrew
the

and

Barbados

conquest
of

and

fleet

of

the

shared

all the

of the

and

his

Montserrat

opening

the

it

by de Grasse

Christopher's, and,

Antilles, at

and

last

by Sir Samuel

of Nevis

in the

feat
de-

The

troops had

effected

possessions

forced

Bouille, landed

French

ensued,

to

line.

supported

attacked

was

the

near

the

matter

men.

arriving

de

America

was

Rear-Admiral

Marquis

8,000 men,

Count

desperate

remained

with

line.

the

landing,

the

January,

little

permanent

West-Indies,

that

event

an

contributed

7,000

he

pedition
ex-

is

suffered

ships

in

twenty-

for

Cornwallis

arms

the

with

Yorktown
French

West

June,

within

sailed

at

The

in the

united

Barbados,

affairs

soil, S7

In

captured

of November

the

chased

in the

now

Grasse

afterwards

British

admirals

America.

de

known.

the

American

on

Atlantic,

at

investment

surrender,

to

the

was

in the

participation

English

island

Count

history universally

that

rejected, by

was

and

Count

and
which

his

motion

of North

coast

Bouille

to

and

his

89.

fleets

each

; but

year

British

1782,

Jamaica,

mained
re-

to them.

It

was

West-Indies

was

through

the

and

Count

the

time

critical

in

bravery
de

; the

danger
and

Grasse.

of

supremacy
of

being

activity
Only

of the

by

Britain

wrested

Marquis
supreme

from
de

in

the

her,
Bouille

effort, and

454

APPENDIX.

by

of

means

Battle

Naval

The
Grasse.

the

made

sail

Rodney's

fleet

to

hoping
The

cruised

he

intercept

to

returned

Rodney

Royal

Fort

Bay,

the

across

de

fleet of Count

the

was

flag-ship ;

two

daybreak

on

At

large
with

Hispaniola

and

the

and

in

the

April,

for the

Paris," of

the

that

and

French

division

at

but

the

the

decisive

the fate of the

and

most

to, that
the

it

might

fleet ; but

the

soon

breeze

the

French

nine, by Captain
the

the

"Alfred,"

not

be

French

too

far

kept

of the

morning

battle,

sanguinary

in the Antilles.

French

engaged.

fleet

English

morning

by
on

in pursuit,

the island

with

about

began,

Then
.

under

seconded

Oak,"

sailed

once

fleet to close

commenced

was

"Royal

was

Jamaica,

was

The
.

whole

guns,

fleet,with

attack

enemy,

island,

of the

van

April, that

decided

110

frigates.

13

nightfall sighted them

daylight next morning,

"Montague.".

of

which

the

34 sail of the

5,500 troops.

were

action

The

Burnet

ninth

the

Martinique,

Cuba.

under

enabled

and

his

water

protection, sailed out of Fort-Royal,

forming a junction with the Spanish

alert

At

becalmed

center.

de

jiistbefore

of Dominica.

soon

fleet

the

on

Yille

"

destination

object of their

Rodney,

was

so

its
of

aboard

and

of

8th

the

intention

the

The

Royal,

to

in

channel,

fifty-gun ships and

under

convoy

fleet at

Fort

at

Grasse, consisting of

line, including the magnificent

his

islands,

refit.

fleet and
In

safely

line,

France.

Bay, St. Lucia,

Gros-Ilet

to

the

French

from

convoy

three

England.

sail of

of the

arrived

and

Hood
from

of 36

consist

expected

an

line

the

windward

to

escaped

convoy

of

de

line, arrived

; Admiral

February

three

which

with

of

also

days later, and

This

century,
Count

the

12 sail of the

with

Rodney,
19th

and

Rodney

between

George

Sir

"

Barbados,

at

of the

prestige restored,

her

was

battles

greatest naval

of the

one

The

British

separated
under

from

sail,and

van

the
when

brought
rest

of

they

456

APPENDIX.

their

"Ville

The

would

"

Hood,

up ; her

came

; and

hour

then,

unwounded
one

was

400

upon

of the

three.

said

were

Five
them

sail of the

under

the lee of
killed

to 250

the

"Anson,"

the

"Alfred."

artilleryintended
the

captured

joining
would

the

line

to the

amounted

sterling ;

taken,
fleet

she

was

into

of

attack

the

getting

of

most

becalmed

loss amounted

including Capt. Blair,

and

Manners,

to

was

and

carried

but

English

wounded,

for the

ship
XV.

and

of

chests

nation."

.'The

whole

men

alone

Paris,"

Louis

taken

were

ships. Had the

Spanish fleet,the

have

an

Grasse

3,000

great

to

English

Robert

The

de

had

This

ever

of any

French

Lord

three

only

Thirty-six

Paris

man-of-war

1050

Samuel

were

Ville de

176,000 pounds

Guadeloupe.

and

"

her.

of

city
cost

escaped, owing

Sir

quarter of

have

killed.

board

commander

port by any

hours

the Count

"

to

the

been

on

first first-rate

the

board

to have

to have

supposed

was

deck,

reported

the

two

On

from

nearly

was

surrendered.

upper

was

found

were

present

fleet

for

for about

engaged

her

wounded.

and

money

"

men

French

killed

of

battered,

Paris," struck, there

de

The

disorder

"Barfleur,"

the

sunset, she

at

"Ville

the

When

she

much

being

Canada,"

until

strike,

not

after

Paris,"

de

closely engaged by the

but

and

dismay

the

irretrievable.

was

rear

line ; but

broken

their

form

the
on

de

naval

force

was

board

on

succeeded

Grasse
of the

two

in

crowns

line upon

sail of the

sixty

and

battering-cannon

Count

of

Capt. Bayne

Jamaica

of

that

station.
Jamaica

saved,

was

the

back

of the

French

and

the

prizes taken

into the

But

the

finest

prizes, including the

were

lost

in

of the
a

terrible

harbor

gale, in

the

broken,

Royal, Jamaica.

of Fort

summer

fleet

"

Ville

de

of that

Paris,"
year,

1782.
The

brave

De

Grasse, who

had

so

ably assisted

the

Ameri-

457

APPENDIX.

and

cans,

the

active
the

Yorktown,

at

up

whose

by

survived

previous,

year
and

English admiral,

He

co-operation,Comwallis

this

the

defeat

British

six

made

was

fleet

and

years,

shut

was

captive by
at last

was

died

in

umphant.
tri-

January,

1788.

VI.
Witchcraft

witchcraft

the

In

"

who,

became
the

of

houses

did
a

which

but

he

who

surgeon

' '

in

and

having

into

the

had

floated

he

her

to

sent

and

like

than
would
a

have

These

the

of

river

for

boy

made

to

the

her

the

before
for

into

the

hands

test

the

own

of

water, said

by

to

to her

to

Carbet,

great toes,
pushed

was

at

present
; but

her

like lead

to

her

something

to

circumstances

of not

of the

quench

being

able

bottom.

this

trial,

fastened
the

'"miserere^''
they
out

her,

tormentor

having

her, who,

she

sink

to

efforts to go to the

her

she

being able

were

good

to

near

deepest part, where

they took

Yet, when

her

stroyed
de-

bors
neigh-

his

convinced

away

of

their

brought

waist,

their

persons

space

which

upon

thumbs

hair, she sank

in her

while

depth,

some

several

swim

to

obliged to give
three

to

rope

hauled

gone

caterpillar to

puts

her

apply

of

examined

devil

moment

hundred

two

little

motionless.
were

the

balloon, without

sewing-needle
where

and

delivered
to

although she herself

and

irons

doubtedly
un-

grudge, they

was

for

was

the

quarrelled,
She

pest.

heard

fastened

water

had

sort

she

they stripped her, tied her

where

More

in

Grermany

carried

They

the

proceeded

be efficacious

Tertre,
that

she

sent

burned

was

Du

whom

whom

from

such

finding

not

woman

everything they had,

put her

judge, who

marks

of

proved

was

She

with

suffer

not

it

died.

those

best

the

historian

against

and

languid

the

"For

children

touched

1657,

says

guilty.
she

year

bottom,
her

saw

water, they

her thirst.
.

to sink

without

458

APPENDIX.

little

bit

breathing,

without

the

determined
But

the

during

with

his

plan,

that

she

died

crime

of

which

and

judge

burnt
the

her

she

self

so

was

-constituted

severely

night,

same

her

condemn

her

accused."

under

being

swallowing

without
to

night

of

and

attached,

iron

of

without

upon

water

water,

any
death

to

next

judge,
the

having

day.

proceeding

sides

and

confessed

flank,
the

UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA

OF

LIBRARY

BERKELEY

Return

This

book

to

is

DUE

desk

from

on

the

which

last

borrowed.

date

stamped

below.

'I

MS19538

L
"1

rfi

mi

II