Josephine Makers of History   By: John S. C. Abbott (1805-1877)

Josephine

BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT

WITH ENGRAVINGS

NEW YORK AND LONDON HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 1904

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one, by

HARPER & BROTHERS,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

Copyright, 1879, by SUSAN ABBOTT MEAD.

[Illustration: JOSEPHINE.]

PREFACE.

Maria Antoinette, Madame Roland, and Josephine are the three most prominent heroines of the French Revolution. The history of their lives necessarily records all the most interesting events of that most fearful tragedy which man has ever enacted. Maria Antoinette beheld the morning dawn of the Revolution; its lurid mid day sun glared upon Madame Roland; and Josephine beheld the portentous phenomenon fade away. Each of these heroines displayed traits of character worthy of all imitation. No one can read the history of their lives without being ennobled by the contemplation of the fortitude and grandeur of spirit they evinced. To the young ladies of our land we especially commend the Heroines of the French Revolution.

CONTENTS.

Chapter Page

I. LIFE IN MARTINIQUE 13

II. MARRIAGE OF JOSEPHINE 31

III. ARREST OF M. BEAUHARNAIS AND JOSEPHINE 48

IV. SCENES IN PRISON 68

V. THE RELEASE FROM PRISON 81

VI. JOSEPHINE IN ITALY 105

VII. JOSEPHINE AT MALMAISON 130

VIII. JOSEPHINE THE WIFE OF THE FIRST CONSUL 149

IX. DEVELOPMENTS OF CHARACTER 171

X. THE CORONATION 198

XI. JOSEPHINE AN EMPRESS 232

XII. THE DIVORCE AND LAST DAYS 282

ENGRAVINGS.

Page

THE SIBYL 24

THE WARNING 58

THE PANTOMIME 85

ISOLA BELLA 109

THE INTERVIEW 156

THE CORONATION 224

JOSEPHINE.

CHAPTER I.

LIFE IN MARTINIQUE.

A.D. 1760 A.D. 1775

Martinique. Its varied beauties. Birth of Josephine. Her parents' death. M. Renaudin. His kind treatment of his slaves. Gratitude of the slaves. Josephine a universal favorite. Hospitality of M. Renaudin. Society at his house. Early education of Josephine. Her accomplishments. Euphemie. She becomes Josephine's bosom companion. Popularity of Josephine. Childhood enjoyment. Characteristic traits. The fortune teller. Predictions of the sibyl. Credulity. More predictions. Their fulfillment. Explanations of the predictions. How fulfilled. Falsity of the prediction. Contemplated match. Attachment between Josephine and William. Their separation. Rousseau throwing stones. Josephine's superstition. Mutual fidelity. Deception of friends.