Page:History of the Empress Josephine (1).pdf/20

20 His imperial majesty then addressed him in a speech in which he stated as follows:-" The politics of my monarchy, the interests and the wants of my people, which have constantly guided all my actions, require that after me I should leave children, inheritors of my love for my people, and of that throne on which Providence has placed me. Notwithstanding this, for several years past I have lost the hope of having children by my marriage with my well-beloved consort, the empress Josephine. This circumstance alone induces me to sacrifice the sweetest affections of my heart, in order to attend to nothing but the good of the state; and with this view I now wish the dissolution of my marriage. Arrived at the age of forty years, I may indulge the hope of living long enough to educate, in my own views and sentiments, the children which it may please Providence to give me. God only knows how much such a resolution has cost my heart; but there is no sacrifice beyond my courage, when it is proved to me to be necessary to the welfare of France."

The empress-queen then spoke as follows:-"By the permission of our dear and august consort I ought to declare, that not preserving any hope of having children, which may fulfil the objects of his policy and the interests of France, I am pleased to afford him the greatest proof of attachment and devotion which has ever been given on earth. I possess all from his bounty; it was his hand which crowned me, and seated me on a thronc, and I have reccived nothing but proofs of affection and love from the French people, I think I prove myself grateful in consenting to the dissolution of a marriage which heretofore was an obstacle to the welfare of France, by depriving it of the happiness of being one day governed by the descendants of a great man, evidently raised up by Providence to cfface the evils of a terrible revolution, and to re-establish the altar, the throne, and social order. But the dissolution of my marriage will in no degree change the sentiments of my heart. The emperor will ever find in me his best friend. I know how much this act, demanded by policy and by interests of a high nature, has effected my heart; but both of us exult in the sacrifice which we make for the