eps of his
personal history, furnished abundant explanation of the motives which
had guided his diplomacy at Schoenbrunn.

CHAPTER XXVII

Napoleon divorces Josephine--Marries the Archduchess Maria
Louisa--Deposes Louis Buonaparte--Annexes Holland and the whole
Coast of Germany to France--Revolution in Sweden--Bernadotte
elected Crown Prince of Sweden--Progress of the War in the
Peninsula--Battle of Busaco--Lord Wellington retreats to the Lines
of Torres Vedras.

The treacherous invasion of Spain, and the imprisonment of the Pope,
were but the first of a series of grand political errors, destined to
sap the foundations of this apparently irresistible power. On his return
to Paris, Napoleon proudly proclaimed to his senate, that no enemy
opposed him throughout the continent of Europe--except only a few
fugitive-bands of Spanish rebels, and "the English leopard"[60] in
Portugal, whom ere long he would cause to be chased into the sea. In the
meantime, the Pensinula was too insignificant an object to demand either
his own presence, or much of their concern: the general welfare of the
empire called on them to fix their attention on a subject of a very
different nature; namely, the situation of the imperial family. "I and
my house," said Napoleon, "will ever be found ready to sacrifice
everything, even our own dearest ties and feeling, to the welfare of the
French people."

This was the first public intimation of a measure which had for a
considerable period occupied much of Napoleon's thoughts, and which,
regarded at the time (almost universally) as the very master-stroke of
his policy, proved in the issue no mean element of his ruin.

Josephine had loved Napoleon, and been beloved passionately by him in
his youth. She had shared his humbler fortune; by her connections in
Paris, and especially by her skilful conduct during his Egyptian
expedition, and immediately afterwards, she had most materially assisted
him in the attainment of the sovereign dignity: she had subsequently
adorned his court, and gratified his pride, by the elegance of her
manners, and won to herself the attachment of his people, by her sincere
good nature and active benevolence. Her power over him was known to be
great, and no one ever doubted but that it had uniformly been exerted on
the side of mercy. She was considered as the good angel who, more
frequently and effectually than any influence besides, interfered