When I got into Napoleon in the 90s, I zeroed in on the fact that most people of Napoleon’s time just believed that he was having a huge affair with his stepdaughter and sister in law Hortense.
Before I looked into Napoleon, even though I had watched media about Napoleon, nothing indicated to me that he even had stepchildren. Then when I learned that Napoleon was really quite good to his stepchildren - I definitely knew something was up.
I had to find out more. Was Napoleon a creepy guy who took advantage of his stepdaughter? I realized very quickly that there was practically nothing I could learn about Hortense in English that seemed all that credible.
That meant I had to learn French, if I were even going to start to learn about a major historical personality like Hortense de Beauharnais Bonaparte, the mother of Napoleon III.
I found a book of letters by the de Beauharnais family members one day when I was walking along the Seine in Paris at a bookseller’s stand.
It was while I was reading this book, that I had the shocking realization that there was a reason, spiritual in nature, why I was so interested in this story.
This letter is by Josephine to her son Eugène about his sister Hortense being compelled to return to her abusive marriage in Holland after the death of her son.
Dear Eugène,
Saint-Cloud, this 27th of May [1807]
I have suffered extremely, my dear Eugene, and your heart will have felt all my sorrows. You know how poor Hortense arrived at Laeken Castle. For several days I feared for her, but on her way back to Malmaison she cried several times, especially when she passed through Saint-Denis. Tears have done her good, and I think I can assure you that she will remain alive. Poor Hortense! What an amiable child she has lost. Since that unfortunate event I have not lived; I only suffer and cry.
She left Sunday to go to the waters of Bagneres. Corvisart relies a great deal on the effect of the voyages, and it is only this hope which could have made me consent to Hortense’s departure. Her health will return but her heart will never be consoled, I feel it by all that I suffer.
The King [Hortense’s husband] is very unhappy too; he had at the same time to mourn his son and to fear for his wife. Imagine that she was six hours paralyzed. I received from the Emperor letters of the 14th and 16th of this month; this loss has greatly affected him. What would it be if he had known this poor child as well as I, who for three months had seen him every day in Mainz?
Tell Auguste [Eugène’s wife] that I am touched by the part she takes in our grief; kiss her for me and redouble your care for my granddaughter. Marescalchi showed me what you wrote to him; I was deeply touched; I have recognized all your feelings for me, my dear son, but be assured that I will put in as much discretion as you put in grace and eagerness.
Farewell, my dear Eugene, I love you and kiss you tenderly.
JOSEPHINE.
Learn the real story of Napoleon here:
https://www.thetanster.com/blog/2019/2/11/napoleon-memoirs-links