the illustrious group as they assembled in front of the chateau, previous to each run, again flinging scattered and flickering lights upon the lawn, the trees, flowers, and rieh dresses of the ladies, as the torch-bearers dispersed, following irregularly the course of the runners. How closely resembling the lives of some of the noblest there,—this crossing, commingling, disappearing, sometimes in light, anon in darkness; here all starting away amid brightness and expectation—there, a figure outstripping all others, only to be lost in gloom! Napoleon, as usual, fell, though only once, as he was running for Josephine. Being thus taken captive, he was placed in ban, which he broke as soon as he recovered breath, set again to running, and released the empress amid loud huzzas from his own, and shouts of ‘fair play’ from the opposite party. Thus ended the last repetition of youthful sports.”
From what we have seen of the domestic life of Napoleon and Josephine, no doubt can be entertained of his attachment to that lady. But his mind was constantly haunted by dreams of ambition. He panted for an heir, and wished that the mother should be eminently illustrious in point of birth, so that mankind might be inspired with respect both for himself and his progeny. Aeeordingly, in an evil hour, he pitched on a daughter of the emperor of Austria, and resolved on divoreing a eonsort whose marriage had been “seeretly blessed by the pope,” who had been crowned by his holiness, who had been the wife of Napoleon during fourteen whole years, and who could not be separated from him without a breach of his own express law, prohibiting every thing of this kind in the imperial family.
No sooner was this design resolved upon, than tne necessity for communicating the painful faet to Josephine became apparent. The 30th of November, 1809, arrived, which Napoleon appears to have destined for declaring his final determination to Josephine. She had wept all day; they were to dine together as usual, and, to coneeal her tears, the empress wore a large white hat, fastened under the chin, which, with its deep front, shaded the whole of the upper part of the face. Napoleon, also, had shewn marks of the strongest
