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Literary
December 5, 1833
Virginia Free Press
Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Napoleon writes to Empress Josephine defending his dislike for intriguing women and preference for gentle ones like her. He recounts showing mercy to Madame Muratfield's husband after her emotional reaction to his letter, sparing him from execution.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The following is one of the letters of Napoleon to the Empress Josephine:
'I have received your letter, in which you blame me for speaking ungallantly of women. It is true I hate intriguing women above all things. I have been accustomed to amiable, gentle, and conciliating women: those are the women I love. If they have spoiled me, it is not my fault, but yours.
You will see that I have been kind to one who proved herself kind and affectionate—I mean Madame Muratfield. When I showed her her husband's letter, she wept, and exclaimed with deep feeling and simplicity, 'Ah! it is indeed his writing.' When she read it the tones of her voice went to the heart. I was moved, and I said to her, 'Well, Madam, throw the letter into the fire, and I shall have no power to punish your husband.' She burned the letter and was happy. Her husband is now safe—two hours later, and he would have been shot. You see that I love women who are gentle and unaffected, because they resemble you. Adieu, my beloved Josephine. I am well.
Napoleon.'
'I have received your letter, in which you blame me for speaking ungallantly of women. It is true I hate intriguing women above all things. I have been accustomed to amiable, gentle, and conciliating women: those are the women I love. If they have spoiled me, it is not my fault, but yours.
You will see that I have been kind to one who proved herself kind and affectionate—I mean Madame Muratfield. When I showed her her husband's letter, she wept, and exclaimed with deep feeling and simplicity, 'Ah! it is indeed his writing.' When she read it the tones of her voice went to the heart. I was moved, and I said to her, 'Well, Madam, throw the letter into the fire, and I shall have no power to punish your husband.' She burned the letter and was happy. Her husband is now safe—two hours later, and he would have been shot. You see that I love women who are gentle and unaffected, because they resemble you. Adieu, my beloved Josephine. I am well.
Napoleon.'
What sub-type of article is it?
Epistolary
What themes does it cover?
Love Romance
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Napoleon Letter
Josephine
Gentle Women
Mercy
Muratfield
Execution Spared
What entities or persons were involved?
Napoleon
Literary Details
Author
Napoleon
Subject
Response To Josephine Blaming Him For Ungallant Remarks On Women
Key Lines
I Hate Intriguing Women Above All Things. I Have Been Accustomed To Amiable, Gentle, And Conciliating Women: Those Are The Women I Love.
You See That I Love Women Who Are Gentle And Unaffected, Because They Resemble You.
Adieu, My Beloved Josephine. I Am Well.