bassador had just arrived for the ceremo- | great timidity she evinced, which seemed nial of the morrow, and with the princes to please him. The ladies and gentlemen and princesses of the house of Bonaparte, of her household were presented the next some in full dress, others en deshabille, day, and on the following one the court waited in the grand hall to receive the left Compiègne for St. Cloud. There, on illustrious pair. Between ten and eleven the 1st of April, the civil marriage took signal guns announced their arrival. The place. The religious ceremony - after torches borne by the outriders were ex- the grand state entry into Paris- was tinguished by the fast-falling torrent, and performed in the great gallery of the but that there glimmered a réverbère here Louvre. It is remarkable that of the sevand there, to whose feeble rays were added eral cardinals who were required to assist those of the tallow candles doing duty for at the civil marriage, all, with the excepan illumination, all around the palace was tion of Cardinals Maury and Fesch, redarkness, notwithstanding the efforts of a quested to be excused from being present company of torchbearers to light the cor- at the nuptial benediction; alleging as a tége up the grand avenue. This untoward reason, that the pope's intervention had disarrangement of a programme thor- not been sought to dissolve the first maroughly studied by all who on the follow-riage. Napoleon refused to admit this as ing day were to take part in the ceremo- a valid excuse, and banished them to difnies created a great commotion in the ferent and distant departments of the palace. However, the empress having empire. He forbade them also to wear alighted, the princes and princesses of his that mark of their dignity the scarlet robe; family, with Prince Schwartzenberg and a high-handed proceeding that obtained one or two others, were hurriedly presented them the sobriquet of "the black cardito her by the emperor. They then retired, nals." together with the king and queen of Naples, to partake of a petit souper prepared for them in the emperor's private apartments. Although the presentations occupied but a few minutes, the keen, scrutinizing eyes of the ladies discovered that the toilette of the German princess left much to be desired. Short waists and short petticoats were then in high favor, but Maria Louisa wore a long-waisted dress, and the skirt of her gown, cut after a fashion discarded in Paris a twelvemonth or more, was too long by several inches. They remarked also that she was deficient in grace; that, considering her youth, her embonpoint was excessive, and that on the whole (as described by Count Metternich in a letter to his wife) "her face was rather ugly than pretty.' Maria Louisa had a broad, full face with the ugly Hapsburg mouth, and a peculiar upward slant in the position of the eyes that gave to it a singular expression of affectation. She was of about the middle height, but her figure was not symmetrical, her arms being small and thin, and her bust and shoulders largely developed. But she was in the bloom of youth in itself a charm― had a very fair complexion, an abundance of light chestnut hair, and a good set of teeth. Naturally she felt much embarrassment at being thus unceremoniously launched, as it were, for criticism into the midst of a group of ladies of the French court. The gallant attentions of the bridegroom were therefore needed to enable her to overcome the

Accustomed to see the empress Josephine invariably dressed with the most exquisite taste, the shortcomings of Maria Louisa in that respect were the more strikingly apparent to Napoleon. Believing himself to be a great connoisseur in such matters, he made a point of presiding at the bridal toilette. The crown he selected for the occasion (there were two) he saw properly placed on the bride's head by the mistress of the robes, and the imperial mantle gracefully arranged on her shoulders. The train was borne by the queens of Spain, Naples, Holland, and Westphalia, the grand duchess of Tuscany, and the Princess Borghese-all these ladies, with the exception of the queen of Westphalia (a princess of Bavaria), being royal by the grace of Napoleon. The bridal presents prepared for Maria Louisa were similar, though probably far exceeding them in value, to those made by Louis XVI. to Marie Antoinette. The municipality of Paris offered a complete toilet service, including an armchair and massive framed mirror, of silver gilt, of exquisite design and elaborate workmanship. In the course of the following year a silver cradle, superbly wrought, was added to this present. The marriage fêtes are said to have surpassed in splendor any that had preceded them in Paris. Yet these grand doings were but the prelude to still grander ones then in preparation. The imperial couple meanwhile returned to Compiègne, which, like all the royal residences of France, had been embel

temporary ball-room erected in the garden of the hôtel took fire. The efforts made to snatch away the burning portion gave movement to the rest of the decorations, and in an instant the whole were on fire, and the fragile ball-room in flames. The empress was safely removed, but several persons perished in the burning building; amongst others the Princess Schwartzenberg. The unfortunate termination of this fête naturally suggested the similar catastrophe at the marriage of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. Many regarded it as an evil omen. Napoleon himself was struck by it, but blamed the police, who "should have been on the alert," he said, "to prevent any accident occurring." The melancholy event created however but a passing impression, and as fête succeeded fête speedily faded away.

lished and refurnished by Napoleon. Fine | Austrian emperor's name. One of the gardens were added to it, and many garlands suspended in the gallery of the needed improvements fully carried out. Josephine had passed the month of nuptial gaieties at Navarre. She now returned to Paris; for Navarre, with its fountains, lakes, and rivers running through its grounds, was found to be a damp and unhealthy residence. A large outlay was required to remedy this inconvenience, and to render the old château, that had long been neglected, a suitable abode for the imperial châtelaine and her retinue. Napoleon suggested that while the works were in hand she should go to Milan, where she was much beloved, and where, in the society of her son and daughter-inlaw, the sadness that preyed on her health and spirits might more readily be dispelled. She preferred an excursion to Switzerland. But at Geneva she was privately told that Napoleon was anxious to keep her at a long distance from the capital, if not actually out of France, in order to soothe the ruffled feelings of Maria Louisa, who had displayed some jealousy on finding that so much consideration was still shown to the "dame de la Malmaison," as she named her rival. Hortense sought an explanation from Napoleon, who was indignant at such intentions being attributed to him. Still he pressed Josephine to go to Milan; but as she did not then feel sufficiently reassured to obey him, she returned to her château of Navarre, and spent there the winter of 1810-II. But whether at Navarre, at La Malmaison, at the baths of Aix, or wherever Josephine was, there was the court of France and its empress. Though her health was beginning to fail and languor was creeping over her spirits, yet Napoleon's youthful bride could not supplant her, nor efface the impression which her goodness, grace, and fascination had made on the minds of those who had once spoken to or seen her. Of this Napoleon had full proof when, after Louis Bonaparte's abdication, he chose to visit Holland and Belgium, accompanied by Maria Louisa, as on a former occasion by Josephine. The latter won golden opinions both for herself and Napoleon; Maria Louisa for neither; but, ill at ease in the part she had to play, and stiff and reserved in her manners, she rather repelled than attracted.

Towards the end of May they returned to Paris, and on the 1st of June began the series of fêtes prepared in their absence. The most memorable of them, owing to the sad catastrophe attending it, was that given by Prince Schwartzenberg in the

The little leisure this unwonted round of dissipation left at Maria Louisa's disposal was occupied in learning to ride in the manège at St. Cloud, and in lessons with the professors whom Napoleon had appointed to teach her dancing, music, and painting. The mot d'ordre at court and in the capital was to study the wishes of the young empress, and to amuse her. But she was not liked by the ladies of the palace, towards whom her demeanor was cold and reserved. Indeed she scarcely knew how to be gracious, being of a dull and sluggish temperament, and having from childhood been hedged about with so much formal etiquette. Napoleon arranged her little evening reunions. Forty or fifty ladies only were admitted to them, and but twelve or fifteen at one time. They included the ladies of the palace and the households of the imperial family. He fancied that this sort of exclusiveness would attract the Faubourg St. Germain. But the Faubourg St. Germain was still French, lively, spirituel, and delighting in epigrammatic conversation. Maria Louisa could not converse, and cared not to hear others. Her receptions therefore were found amazingly dull; besides, no gentlemen were admitted. And what can be imagined duller than a party of ladies, expected to amuse and to feel amused by looking on at the turning round of the empress's ear; a feat she contrived in some way to perform, and seemed delighted to astonish her company by exhibiting her skill in accomplishing it. She however did not care for society. She preferred her tapestry-frame and a quiet chat in her boudoir with the Duchesse de

E

Montebello (Madame Lannes), the only | 1812, Napoleon and Maria Louisa leave

There her perplexities returned, now urging her to attempt to join Napoleon at Fontainebleau, now alarming her with many fancied difficulties and dangers attending such a step. The abdication being signed, and Elba allotted to Napoleon, and Parma and Placentia to Maria Louisa, the emperor Francis despatched Prince Paul Esterhazy to inform his daughter of it, and to attend her to Rambouillet, where he proposed to meet her. Escorted by twenty-five Cossacks she arrived there on the 13th of April, still anxious and doubtful, and unable to decide on the best course to pursue. On the 15th Francis and his minister, Metternichnow created a prince of the empiremade their appearance, and a long private interview took place. The nature of the communications made to her did not transpire. She however seemed much distressed by them, and announced to her attendants that she purposed returning to Vienna, vid Switzerland and the Tyrol.

a wish that she and the King of Rome | A Russian general and an escort of Cosshould be crowned, in order that an oath sacks then conducted her to Orleans. might bind France to the heir to the throne. Napoleon replied that his treasure was wholly needed at that moment for supplies for his armies. Perhaps Josephine's "ineffaceable title" was to his mind an obstacle also. On the 15th of April, 1813, he left France for the army. His victories of Bautzen and Wurtzchen led to an armistice and the Congress of Prague; but hostilities were renewed on the 15th of August, Austria then joining the allies. Maria Louisa desired to mediate. Napoleon smiled rancor and bitter antagonism had long subsisted between him and Austria, and was far too intense to allow either one or the other to be moved by a weak woman's tearful entreaties. Victory attended Napoleon's arms at Dresden; but cavalry was wanting to follow it up. Reverses ensued, defections also of the confederate princes, and at Leipzig the Saxon and Wurtemberg troops crossed over to the enemy on the field of battle. A skirmish or two, while retreating, when he put to the rout one of his deserting generals, ended this unfortunate campaign, and on the 9th of November the emperor once more reached St. Cloud.

Another army is wanted. The Senate assembles, and authorizes a levy of two hundred and eighty thousand conscripts. The troops are recalled from Spain; Ferdinand VII. returns to it; the pope is liberated and leaves for Rome. The New Year's day reception is numerously and brilliantly attended, the regency is renewed, and Joseph Bonaparte named lieutenant-general of the kingdom. Napoleon confides his wife and son to the protection of the National Guard during his absence. But he is destined to return to them no more, and embraces them for the last time on the morning of the 25th of January, when he sets out with a mere handful of veteran troops to join his youthful army. This short but wonderful campaign ended, as all know, with the entry of the allies into Paris on the 25th of March. Napoleon had directed-subject, however, to the course of events that the empress and the ministry should remove to Blois. Joseph advised her to remain in Paris to uphold her son's rights; but her father promising not to neglect them, she left forthwith repenting having done so as soon as Blois was reached. At times she seemed desirous of sharing the fate and fortunes of Napoleon, but finally placed herself under the protection of the allies.

While awaiting the arrival of an Austrian guard of honor she received a visit from the emperor Alexander, who breakfasted with her. On the following day the king of Prussia arrived at Rambouillet; he, however, remained but a few minutes. Both wished to see the king of Rome, now called Prince of Parma. His little Majesty received them ungraciously, telling his nurse "qu'ils n'étaient pas beaux." Such visits, under the then existing circumstances, certainly showed a great want of delicacy of feeling, both in those who paid, and the lady who received them. A few days after, Maria Louisa left Rambouillet. The account of her journey, as given by one who accompanied her, reads like that of an excursion leisurely taken for pleasure. At the numerous places she stopped at arrangements had been made for her visiting every point of interest, and apparently much of her trouble was forgotten in the pleasurable excitement of travel. At Vi enna she was welcomed by her family and the people with extravagant signs of joy, as a victim snatched from the jaws of a monster; while about the same time2nd of June, 1814-the empress Josephine, broken in health and broken-hearted at the fate of Napoleon, died suddenly at Malmaison.

Maria Louisa soon became aware that she and her son were prisoners, rigidly restricted from passing beyond the park of Schoenbrunn. The queen of Sicily, her

maternal grandmother and the sister of wore on her dress, or carried in her hand,
Marie Antoinette, was indignant at the as a token of welcome, a bouquet of the
manœuvres set on foot to detach her from large Parma violets. But if her affections
Napoleon. "She should tie the sheets of were ever given to Napoleon, they were
her bed to the windows some night and his no longer. Count Neipperg had sup-
escape in disguise. I would," she said; planted him. His countess had obligingly
"for marriage is for life." She herself died some few months before, after only
had, secretly, just fled from Sicily. But two days' illness, leaving the count free to
Maria Louisa had not her grandmother's mingle gallantry with his duties as coun-
energy. Tired of Schoenbrunn, she asked sellor to the young duchess. But the
leave of her father to go to the baths of spring and its fragrant flowers passed
Aix. It was granted, and Count Neip- away, and when the summer sun shone on
perg attended her; but she could not take the Tuileries gardens their parterres were
her son.
The count was the illegitimate strewed with lilies, and the ladies' faded
son of the Countess Neipperg, and was violet bouquets had given place to the
born in France in 1775. He was married flower that had become the fashion of the
to a woman whom he had seduced from day. Waterloo decided the fate of Maria
her first husband, and who, with four or Louisa as well as that of Napoleon; and
five children, was then living in retirement while he was on his way to perish at St.
at Wurtemberg. He was reputed brave; Helena, she was put into possession of
having been wounded in battle and lost an her duchies, Count Neipperg being named
eye. He was still a handsome man, of her first minister, also grand master of
fascinating manners and distinguished air. her household. Of the liaison that en-
Over the weak and irresolute Duchess of sued children were born before the death
Parma he soon obtained complete ascend- of Napoleon. When that event occurred
ency. Through his influence she was led a morganatic marriage gave a tardy sanc-
to subscribe to all the conditions with tion to their union. The count was the
which the Congress hampered the grant absolute ruler of the duchies; but his
- for her life only-of the sovereignty administration is said to have been marked
of the duchies of Parma and Placentia. by great ability, moderation, and tolerance.
"None of the race of Bonaparte," the He died of a painful disease in 1829, much
allies declared, "could be allowed to bear regretted by the people. He was an irrep-
sway in Europe." Therefore she re-arable loss to the duchess, who as a tes-
nounced in her son's name his right to
succeed her, and consented that he should
be deprived of his baptismal name of Na-
poleon; that he should be brought up at
the Austrian court, should be called Fran-
cis, Duke of Reichstadt, and that she
should see him but once a year. All let-
ters from Napoleon were to be transmitted
to her father, and although she did not
consent to a divorce, she said "she would
write and ask him to consent to a separa-
tion à l'aimable."

These arrangements were about being completed when the startling news of Napoleon's return to France put an end to the Congress. On the morning following his arrival at the Tuileries the sweetscented violets, the first flowers of the spring, were brought in by the people in such quantities, as a symbol of their fidelity to him, that the gardens were covered with them, and the palace itself filled with their fragrant perfume. Confidently expecting Maria Louisa would rejoin him, every lady and élégante of the empire

timony of her grief and affection erected a magnificent monument to his memory. But she was incapable of taking up the reins of power after him. The people revolted, and she fled from Parma. Austrian troops escorted her back; but she was an object of deep resentment to her subjects, who, as she could not govern them, fell under the oppressive yoke of Austria.

In 1832 the death of the melancholy young Duke of Reichstadt occurred at Schoenbrunn, of consumption, in his 21st year. Maria Louisa died in 1847, aged 56. As Duchess of Parma she was merely an instrument of Austrian misrule in Italy. The very slight interest the French at any time took in her ceased altogether when, renouncing all claims on France, she again became an Austrian archduchess and her son was made an Austrian prince. She is now well-nigh forgotten, while Josephine's memory remains as imperishable in France as Napoleon's.

CATHERINE CHARLOTTE JACKSON.