Josephine, Empress, consort of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1763-1814
The Island of Martinique--The Tascher Family--François de Beauharnais--Madame Renaudin--Birth of Alexandre de Beauharnais--Birth of Joséphine--A Confusion of Dates--M. Beauharnais in France--Death of His Wife--Misfortunes of the Taschers--Childhood of Joséphine--Her Education-...
The Island of Martinique--The Tascher Family--François de Beauharnais--Madame Renaudin--Birth of Alexandre de Beauharnais--Birth of Joséphine--A Confusion of Dates--M. Beauharna...
2. CHAPTER TWOAlexandre de Beauharnais Enters the Army--Madame Renaudin Plans for His Marriage--The Marquis Writes M. de la Pagerie--Joséphine Takes Her Sister’s Place--She Arrives in France-...
3. CHAPTER THREEBeauharnais Elected to the States-General--Joséphine Returns from Martinique--Alexandre, President of the Assembly--Flight of the Royal Family--End of the Constituent Assembly--...
4. CHAPTER FOURParis During the Terror--The Fall of Robespierre--Joy of the Prisoners--Joséphine Set Free--Her Behavior in Prison--She Returns to Croissy--Her Relations with Hoche--Her Financi...
5. CHAPTER FIVEThe 13 Vendémiaire--The Parisians Disarmed--Eugène Reclaims His Father’s Sword--Joséphine Meets General Bonaparte--Her Appearance at That Time--She Writes the General--One of Hi...
6. CHAPTER SIXBonaparte en Route for Italy--His First Letter to Joséphine--Her Indifference--His Second Letter--Brilliant Opening of the Campaign--Bonaparte’s Proclamation--He Writes Joséphin...
7. CHAPTER SEVENBonaparte Enters Milan--Joséphine’s Life at Paris--She Finally Starts for Italy--Her Regret in Leaving--Arrival at Milan--The Palace Serbelloni--Her Ennui--Letter to Madame Rena...
8. CHAPTER EIGHTJoséphine Returns to Paris--The Talleyrand Fête--Purchase of the Hôtel Chantereine--Bonaparte’s Tour of Inspection--His Sudden Return--Napoleon’s Fortune--He Leaves for Toulon--...
9. CHAPTER NINEBonaparte Leaves Egypt--He Lands in France--Joséphine Fails to Meet Him--Their Reconciliation--His Generous Pardon--He Pays Her Debts--Her Rôle in the Coup d’État--She Invites G...
10. CHAPTER TENThe Luxembourg--Important Rôle of Joséphine--Her Devotion to Napoleon--Secret of Her Power--Her Royalism--Assistance to the Émigrés--Importance to Napoleon’s Policy--Marriage of...
11. CHAPTER ELEVENThe Season of 1800 at Paris--Problems of the First Consul--Success of His Administration--His Reception after Marengo--The “Conspiracy of Marengo”--Part Taken by Lucien and Jose...
12. CHAPTER TWELVELouis Bonaparte--His Early Years--Change in His Character--His Life at Paris--He Avoids Marriage--Hortense de Beauharnais--Her Appearance and Character--Love of Her Mother--Prid...
13. CHAPTER THIRTEENBonaparte Made Consul for Life--He Takes Possession of Saint-Cloud--His Apartment in the Château--Court Etiquette Established--Trip to Normandie--Joséphine at Forty--Her Life at...
14. CHAPTER FOURTEENRupture of the Peace of Amiens--The Celebrated Scene with the English Ambassador--The Visit to Belgium--An Unfortunate Episode at Mortefontaine--First Suggestions of the Empire-...
15. CHAPTER FIFTEENThe Empire Proclaimed--The Ceremony at Saint-Cloud--Joséphine Hailed as Empress--Dissatisfaction of the Bonapartes--Chagrin of Caroline--Napoleon Yields--Joséphine’s Attitude--E...
16. CHAPTER SIXTEENCardinal Fesch Sent to Rome--The Pope Consents to Go to Paris--Astonishment of Madame Mère--Joséphine’s Triumph Over the Bonapartes--Preparations for the Ceremony--The Pope Arri...
17. CHAPTER SEVENTEENJoséphine’s Places of Residence--Her Apartments at the Tuileries--Her Frequent Alterations--Her Rooms at Saint-Cloud--Her Daily Routine--Her Personal Attendants--Her Toilette--H...
18. CHAPTER EIGHTEENThe Journey to Italy--Grand Review at Marengo--Napoleon’s Reconciliation with Jérôme--The Coronation at Milan--The Emperor’s Satisfaction--Eugène, Viceroy of Italy--Joséphine’s...
19. CHAPTER NINETEENJoséphine Leaves Strasbourg for Munich--Napoleon’s Letters from Austerlitz--Joséphine’s Selfishness--The Emperor Arrives at Munich--He Plans Three Family Alliances--Princesse Au...
20. CHAPTER TWENTYLouis Proclaimed King of Holland--Hortense’s Unhappy Married Life--Birth of Napoleon-Charles--Louis Buys Saint-Leu--Birth of Napoleon-Louis--Louis and Hortense at The Hague--Jos...
21. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONENapoleon’s First Meeting with Marie Walewska--Beginning of Their Long Liaison--The Emperor Orders Joséphine to Return to Paris--The Terrible Battle of Eylau--Napoleon Tries to M...
22. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOBirth of Napoleon’s First Child--Death of the Crown-Prince of Holland--Grief of Hortense--Joséphine Goes to Laeken--She is Joined There by Hortense--Napoleon’s Letters to His Wi...
23. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREETalleyrand Appointed Vice-Grand-Électeur--Fête of the Emperor--Marriage of Jérôme and Catherine--Return of Louis and Hortense--New Quarrels--Louis Departs Alone for Holland--Nap...
24. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURThe Question of Divorce First Seriously Considered--Napoleon Asks Joséphine to Take the Initiative--She Refuses--Fouché’s Letter to the Empress--Napoleon Pretends Ignorance--He...
25. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVEJoséphine’s Fear of Divorce--Irresolution of the Emperor--A Remarkable Episode--Marriage of Mlle, de Tascher--The Spanish Crisis--Abdication of King Charles--Murat Enters Madrid...
26. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXThe Erfurt Conference--Joséphine Left at Paris--Napoleon Opens His Heart to Alexander--Talleyrand Instructed to Begin Negotiations for an Alliance--Napoleon’s Letters to Joséphi...
27. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENNapoleon Arrives at Fontainebleau--He Informs Cambacérès of the Coming Divorce--His Cold Reception of Joséphine--She Finds the Door of Communication Closed--Hesitation of the Em...
28. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTEugène Reaches Paris--His Difficult Position--He Arranges a Final Conference--Refuses the Crown of Italy--The Family Council at the Tuileries--Address of the Emperor--Joséphine’...
29. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINEDowry of the Empress--Napoleon’s Liberality--Her Debts Paid--The First Days at Malmaison--Napoleon’s Visits and Letters--Christmas Dinner at Trianon--Joséphine Tires of the Coun...
30. CHAPTER THIRTYNapoleon’s Preference for a Russian Alliance--The Matter Discussed in Conference--The Archduchess Marie-Louise Favored--The Marriage Arranged--The New Empress Arrives at Paris--...
31. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONEJoséphine’s Court at Malmaison--Her Anxiety About Hortense--A Call from the Emperor--Joséphine Goes to Aix-les-Bains--Her Life There--A Visit from Eugène--The Emperor Announces...
32. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWOThe Monotonous Life at Navarre--Joséphine’s Health Improved--Visits from Hortense and Eugène--Joséphine’s Fête-Day--News of the Birth of the King of Rome--Napoleon Again Pays He...
33. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREEThe Malet Conspiracy--What It Revealed--Joséphine’s Anxiety--Return of the Emperor--Joséphine and the King of Rome--Eugène Commands the Grand Army--Napoleon’s Errors in 1813--Ho...
34. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOURJoséphine at Navarre--Arrival of Hortense--The Emperor at Fontainebleau--The Treaty of the 11 April--Provisions for the Family--Joséphine Returns to Malmaison--Hortense Arrives-...
35. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVEHer Connection with Martinique--Her Statue at Fort-de-France--Her Legend--Her Claims to Beauty--Her Intellect--Her Prodigality--Her Personal Magnetism--Her Affections--Her Desir...
36. CHAPTER ONEThe Island of Martinique--The Tascher Family--François de Beauharnais--Madame Renaudin--Birth of Alexandre de Beauharnais--Birth of Joséphine--A Confusion of Dates--M. Beauharna...
37. CHAPTER TWOAlexandre de Beauharnais Enters the Army--Madame Renaudin Plans for His Marriage--The Marquis Writes M. de la Pagerie--Joséphine Takes Her Sister’s Place--She Arrives in France-...
38. CHAPTER THREEBeauharnais Elected to the States-General--Joséphine Returns from Martinique--Alexandre, President of the Assembly--Flight of the Royal Family--End of the Constituent Assembly--...
39. CHAPTER FOURParis During the Terror--The Fall of Robespierre--Joy of the Prisoners--Joséphine Set Free--Her Behavior in Prison--She Returns to Croissy--Her Relations with Hoche--Her Financi...
40. CHAPTER FIVEThe 13 Vendémiaire--The Parisians Disarmed--Eugène Reclaims His Father’s Sword--Joséphine Meets General Bonaparte--Her Appearance at That Time--She Writes the General--One of Hi...
41. CHAPTER SIXBonaparte en Route for Italy--His First Letter to Joséphine--Her Indifference--His Second Letter--Brilliant Opening of the Campaign--Bonaparte’s Proclamation--He Writes Joséphin...
42. CHAPTER SEVENBonaparte Enters Milan--Joséphine’s Life at Paris--She Finally Starts for Italy--Her Regret in Leaving--Arrival at Milan--The Palace Serbelloni--Her Ennui--Letter to Madame Rena...
43. CHAPTER EIGHTJoséphine Returns to Paris--The Talleyrand Fête--Purchase of the Hôtel Chantereine--Bonaparte’s Tour of Inspection--His Sudden Return--Napoleon’s Fortune--He Leaves for Toulon--...
44. CHAPTER NINEBonaparte Leaves Egypt--He Lands in France--Joséphine Fails to Meet Him--Their Reconciliation--His Generous Pardon--He Pays Her Debts--Her Rôle in the Coup d’État--She Invites G...
45. CHAPTER TENThe Luxembourg--Important Rôle of Joséphine--Her Devotion to Napoleon--Secret of Her Power--Her Royalism--Assistance to the Émigrés--Importance to Napoleon’s Policy--Marriage of...
46. CHAPTER ELEVENThe Season of 1800 at Paris--Problems of the First Consul--Success of His Administration--His Reception after Marengo--The “Conspiracy of Marengo”--Part Taken by Lucien and Jose...
47. CHAPTER TWELVELouis Bonaparte--His Early Years--Change in His Character--His Life in Paris--He Avoids Marriage--Hortense de Beauharnais--Her Appearance and Character--Love of Her Mother--Prid...
48. CHAPTER THIRTEENBonaparte Made Consul for Life--He Takes Possession of Saint-Cloud--His Apartment in the Château--Court Etiquette Established--Trip to Normandie--Joséphine at Forty--Her Life at...
49. CHAPTER FOURTEENRupture of the Peace of Amiens--The Celebrated Scene with the English Ambassador--The Visit to Belgium--An Unfortunate Episode at Mortefontaine--First Suggestions of the Empire-...
50. CHAPTER FIFTEENThe Empire Proclaimed--The Ceremony at Saint-Cloud--Joséphine Hailed as Empress--Dissatisfaction of the Bonapartes--Chagrin of Caroline--Napoleon Yields--Joséphine’s Attitude--E...
51. CHAPTER SIXTEENCardinal Fesch Sent to Rome--The Pope Consents to Go to Paris--Astonishment of Madame Mère--Joséphine’s Triumph Over the Bonapartes--Preparations for the Ceremony--The Pope Arri...
52. CHAPTER SEVENTEENJoséphine’s Places of Residence--Her Apartments at the Tuileries--Her Frequent Alterations--Her Rooms at Saint-Cloud--Her Daily Routine--Her Personal Attendants--Her Toilette--H...
53. CHAPTER EIGHTEENThe Journey to Italy--Grand Review at Marengo--Napoleon’s Reconciliation with Jérôme--The Coronation at Milan--The Emperor’s Satisfaction--Eugène, Viceroy of Italy--Joséphine’s...
54. CHAPTER NINETEENJoséphine Leaves Strasbourg for Munich--Napoleon’s Letters from Austerlitz--Joséphine’s Selfishness--The Émperor Arrives at Munich--He Plans Three Family Alliances--Princesse Au...
55. CHAPTER TWENTYLouis Proclaimed King of Holland--Hortense’s Unhappy Married Life--Birth of Napoleon-Charles--Louis Buys Saint-Leu--Birth of Napoleon-Louis--Louis and Hortense at The Hague--Jos...
56. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONENapoleon’s First Meeting with Marie Walewska--Beginning of Their Long Liaison--The Emperor Orders Joséphine to Return to Paris--The Terrible Battle of Eylau--Napoleon Tries to M...
57. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOBirth of Napoleon’s First Child--Death of the Crown-Prince of Holland--Grief of Hortense--Joséphine Goes to Laeken--She Is Joined There by Hortense--Napoleon’s Letters to His Wi...
58. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREETalleyrand Appointed Vice-Grand-Électeur--Fête of the Emperor--Marriage of Jérôme and Catherine--Return of Louis and Hortense--New Quarrels--Louis Departs Alone for Holland--Nap...
59. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURThe Question of Divorce First Seriously Considered--Napoleon Asks Joséphine to Take the Initiative--She Refuses--Fouché’s Letter to the Empress--Napoleon Pretends Ignorance--He...
60. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVEJoséphine’s Fear of Divorce--Irresolution of the Emperor--A Remarkable Episode--Marriage of Mlle. de Tascher--The Spanish Crisis--Abdication of King Charles--Murat Enters Madrid...
61. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXThe Erfurt Conference--Joséphine Left at Paris--Napoleon Opens His Heart to Alexander--Talleyrand Instructed to Begin Negotiations for an Alliance--Napoleon’s Letters to Joséphi...
62. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENNapoleon Arrives at Fontainebleau--He Informs Cambacérès of the Coming Divorce--His Cold Reception of Joséphine--She Finds the Door of Communication Closed--Hesitation of the Em...
63. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTEugène Reaches Paris--His Difficult Position--He Arranges a Final Conference--Refuses the Crown of Italy--The Family Council at the Tuileries--Address of the Emperor--Josephine’...
64. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINEDowry of the Empress--Napoleon’s Liberality--Her Debts Paid--The First Days at Malmaison--Napoleon’s Visits and Letters--Christmas Dinner at Trianon--Joséphine Tires of the Coun...
65. CHAPTER THIRTYNapoleon’s Preference for a Russian Alliance--The Matter Discussed in Conference--The Archduchess Marie-Louise Favored--The Marriage Arranged--The New Empress Arrives at Paris--...
66. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONEJoséphine’s Court at Malmaison--Her Anxiety About Hortense--A Call from the Emperor--Joséphine Goes to Aix-les-Bains--Her Life There--A Visit from Eugène--The Emperor Announces...
67. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWOThe Monotonous Life at Navarre--Joséphine’s Health Improved--Visits from Hortense and Eugène--Joséphine’s Fête-Day--News of the Birth of the King of Rome--Napoleon Again Pays He...
68. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREEThe Malet Conspiracy--What it Revealed--Joséphine’s Anxiety--Return of the Emperor--Joséphine and the King of Rome--Eugène Commands the Grand Army--Napoleon’s Errors in 1813--Ho...
69. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOURJoséphine at Navarre--Arrival of Hortense--The Emperor at Fontainebleau--The Treaty of the 11 April--Provisions for the Family--Joséphine Returns to Malmaison--Hortense Arrives-...
70. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVEHer Connection with Martinique--Her Statue at Fort-de-France--Her Legend--Her Claims to Beauty--Her Intellect--Her Prodigality--Her Personal Magnetism--Her Affections--Her Desir...