JOSEPHINE.

THE career of the Empress Josephine is not less romantic and pathetic than that of Napoleon. That a West Indian Creole should rise to occupy the throne of one of the most powerful countries in all Christendom at the opening of the nineteenth century would be incredible were it not a fact of history. That after her divorce she should retain her affection for the husband, and that he should continue to visit her are facts equally inexplicable.

Josephine was born in the Island of Martinique, in the West Indies, in June, 1763. Her maiden name was Marie Josephe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie. The surname Pagerie was derived from her father's estate near Blois, in France. He had emigrated to become a naval officer under the Marquis de Beauharnais, who was governor-general of the French Antilles. His wife, Rose Claire des Verges de Sannois, belonged to a family which had similarly emigrated. Josephine was educated in France at the Convent of Port-Royal, and in December, 1779, at the age of sixteen, was married to the Viscount de Beauharnais, the son of her

father's superior officer. The husband was but eighteen years of age, and the young couple went to live in Paris at the house of his mother, Madame de Beauharnais. Here Josephine's grace and loveliness attracted much attention; but her husband's gallantries caused her much grief. Provoked by her complaints of his infidelity, he brought suit for divorce in 1785. But the Court fully exonerated her from his malicious charges, and while granting a separation, ordered him to provide for her support. The Beauharnais family sided with Josephine, who retained the custody of her daughter Hortense, destined to become the Queen of Holland. In June, 1788, Josephine returned to Martinique to visit her mother, then suffering from severe illness. She remained in the island till her safety was threatened by a sudden insurrection of the Colony in 1790, when she escaped to France.

Josephine now became reconciled to her husband, who was active among the Constitutionalists in the movements preceding the Revolution. The family was reunited, and her house became a favorite rendezvous of the politicians and literary men of her husband's party. When France was threatened with invasion after the Revolution had been effected, Viscount de Beauharnais commanded the French Army on the Rhine. But though he had been faithful in his duty, he was thrown into prison, and led to execution during the ascendancy of Robespierre in 1794. Josephine herself was arrested while attempting to release her husband, was placed in the list of the proscribed and narrowly escaped the guillotine. Madame de Fontenay, who had been in prison with her, exerted herself to procure her release, and was successful through the aid of the dreaded Tallien, to whom she herself was afterwards married. The services of Tallien and his wife were afterwards gratefully remembered and rewarded both by Josephine and her son Eugène.

Josephine was indebted to Barras for the restoration of a part of her husband's property; and it was at his house, after the 13th Vendémiaire, she met the young General Bonaparte. The latter became desirous of seeing her, in consequence of her son Eugene, then fifteen years of age, presenting himself before the general to solicit the return of the sword which

had belonged to his father. Bonaparte was favorably impressed towards the widow; and his attachment strengthened at every succeeding interview. She was married to him on the 9th of March, 1796. From that period her history is associated with his, not only personally, but politically. By her influence he gained at once the command of the French army in Italy. At his earnest request she joined him at the seat of war, but was appalled at the sight of the battle-field and returned to Paris. Henceforth it became her practice and delight to encourage him through dangers, and moderate his feelings in the hour of victory. When her husband was raised to the Consulate, her receptions at the Tuileries and Malmaison became celebrated, and her beneficent disposition displayed itself in a thousand ways: to her many exiles owed their restoration to their native land; she encouraged the arts and rewarded industry. Her acts of kindness and benevolence drew from Napoleon the acknowledgment, "I can win battles; but you win hearts."

On the 20th of May, 1804, when Napoleon was raised to the imperial dignity, Josephine was, at the same time, crowned as Empress by Pope Pius VII. Later she was also crowned Queen of Italy at Milan. Napoleon had previously named her son Eugène Beauharnais viceroy of Italy, and married him to the daughter of the King of Bavaria. Josephine had now reached the pinnacle of her greatness, and in spite of Napoleon's continued affection, his ambition demanded a most costly sacrifice. Because she had borne him no children, Josephine's divorce was urged by his sisters and other relatives, and by such statesmen as Fouché and Talleyrand. An heir to the throne was needed for the consolidation of the new dynasty. For a time Napoleon rejected the advice pressed upon him; but in 1809, after the battle of Wagram, he finally decided upon the divorce. He was still waiting for a suitable time to announce it to the Empress, when her recriminations upon his conduct caused him to declare it to her abruptly. Though for a time overwhelmed, she finally consented to sacrifice her feelings on the altar of his ambition. When she was required to read aloud a declaration of assent, she was unable to finish it, and was taken home almost lifeless.