My cousin, prince archchancellor,

'I dispatched to you a private letter, dated this day, to direct you to repair to my cabinet, for the purpose of communicating to you the resolution which I and the empress, my dearest consort, have taken. It gives me pleasure that the kings, queens, and princesses, my brothers and sisters, my brothers and sisters-in-law, my daughter-in-law, and my sonin-law become my adopted son, as well as my mother, should witness what I am going to cominunicate to you.

Not

• The policy of my monarchy, the interest and the wants of my people, which have constantly guided all my actions, require, that after me I should leave to children, inheritors of my love for my people, that throne on which Providence has placed me. withstanding, for several years past, I have lost the hope of having children by my marriage with my well, heloved consort the empress Josephine. This it is which - induces me to sacrifice the sweetest affections of my heart, to attend to nothing but the good of the state, and to 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 views and sentiments the children which it may please Providence to give me. God knows how much such a resolution has cost my heart; and there is no sacrifice beyond my courage, when it is proved to me to be necessary to the welfare of France. I should add, that far from having reason to complain, on the contrary, I

have had reason only to be satisfied with the attachment and the affection of my well-beloved consort, she has adorned fifteen yearsof my life, the remembrance of which will ever remain engraven on my heart: she was crowned by my hand: I wish she should pre-. serve the rank and title of empress; but, above all, that she should never doubt my sentiments, and that she should ever regard me as her best and dearest friend.'

His majesty the emperor and king having ended, her majesty the empress queen 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 wants of his policy and the interest of France, I am pleased to give 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 from the heighth of this throne. I have received nothing but proofs of affection and love from the French people. I think I prove myself grateful in cousenting to the dissolution of a marriage which heretofore was an obstacle to the welfare of France, which deprived it of the happiness of being one day governed by the descendents of a great man, evidently raised up by Providence to efface 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 have in me his best friend. I know much this act, demanded by policy and by interests so great, has chilled his heart, but both of us exult in the

sacrifice which we make for the good of the country.'

After which, their imperial Majesties, having demanded an act of their respective declarations, as well as of the mutual consent contained in them, and which their majesties gave to the dissolution of their marriage, as also of the power which their majesties conferred on us, to follow up, as need shall require, the effect of their will. We, prince arch-chancellor of the empire, in obedience to the orders and requisitions of their majesties, have given the aforesaid acts, and have in consequence executed the present proces-verbal, to serve and avail according to law: to which proces verbal their majesties have affixed their signatures, and which, after have ing been signed by the kings, queens, princes, and princesses present, has been signed by us, and countersigned by the secretary of state of the imperial fad mily, who wrote with his own hand..

Done at the palace of the Thuil leries, the day, hour, and the year aforesaid. (Signed)

Napoleon, Josephine, Madame, Louis, Jerome Napoleon, Joachim Napoleon, Eugene Napoleon, Julie, Hortense, Catherine, Pauline, Caroline, Cambaceres (Prince Arch-Chancellor), Count Regnault (de St. Jean d'Angely).

Having seen the projet of the senatus consultum, drawn up in the form prescribed by the 57th article of the act of the constitus tion of the 4th of August 1802; after having heard the motives of the said projet, the orators of the council of state, and the report of the special committee appointed on the sitting of this days the

adoption having been discussed by the number of members prescrib ed by the 56th article of the act of the constitution of the 4th of August 1802, decrees:

Art. I. The marriage contracted between the Emperor Napoleon and the Empress Josephine is dissolved. - II. The Empress Josephine shall preserve the title and rank of empress queen crowned.

III. Her dowry is fixed at an annual income of two millions of franes on the revenue of the state. - IV. All the assignments which may be made by the emperor in favor of the Empress Josephine on the funds of the civil list, shall be obligatory on his successors. V. The present senatus consultum shall be transmitted by a message to his imperial and royal majesty.

LONDON FASHIONS.

1. A DRESS of fine worked or plain muslin, with a short train; over the dress is a vest of crimson velvet, buttoned down the front with small gold buttons. The front and sleeves are intermixed with white satin, and the dress is edged round with a narrow gold plating. Head-dress a coronet cap of crimson velvét, turned up in front with an embroidery of gold lace. Ear-rings and necklace of cornelian and gold. White gloves and crimson shoes."

2. Dress of soft white sarcenet, edged round the bottom with silver cord; over the dress is a body of blue satin, terminating behind in two points; the back and sleeves are cut out in points, and the whole ornamented with silver cord. Head-dress a small blue satin cap with square corners trimmed with silver-lace and tassels, and ornamented in front with a silver spray, Necklace and ear-rings of pearl. White gloves and blue shoes.

BENEDICT.

A TRUE HISTORY.

[Continued from p. 21.]

THOUGH my aunt had scarce ly been three weeks a mother at the period of my lamented uncle's death, yet such was the natural strength of her constitution, or such the sustaining support she received from heaven, that she not only arranged all the forms of the funeral, but entered with as much zeal into all pecuniary concerns as if the period alluded to had happened as many months back as it had days. God,' says the celebrated Sterne, 'tempers the wind to the shorn lamb;' but Mrs. Melville, instead of being shorn, found herself clothed with apparel soft and luxurious as the cygnet's breast; her jointure was two thousand per annum, and, as my uncle's property was all funded, she came in for her thirds.

My little cousin, however, was pronounced a very puny infant, and the chances were much in her favor that the whole of my deceased uncle's property would devolve to her. A selfish character is not formed by nature to become an attached parent; and Mrs. Melville had never displayed any of those proofs of tenderness and affection toward the children of her first marriage, which are at once delightful and interesting to behold. Whilst she had an object in view, she put on an appearance of maternal fondness, which, it has been observed, won my esteem, and excited my warmest panegyric; but no sooner did she become Mrs. Melville, than the veil was laid aside, and inVOL. XLI.

Upon the family taking up their abode at Belmont Lodge, Adolphus was sent to school to join his second brother; and my beloved uncle having observed the governess of the young ladies wholly unfit for the important office, persuaded their mother to send them to a capital school, the superior of which was a near relation of Mr. Montgomery's. After the death of her husband, however, Mrs. Melville pretended that school was upon a plan of expence she could not afford; in consequence of which, at the ensuing vacation, they were removed to an inferior one, in the neighbourhood of Paddington. We all, however, met at the vacation, and all felt the greatness of our loss; for my beloved uncle had behaved with parental kindness to his wife's children. Before, and for some months after our residence in the neighbourhood of Windsor, the little S-s had been taught to

H

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treat me as the heir of Belmont Lodge; but the scene was now changed, and we all were compelled to offer homage to it's little lord. If he cried, we were accused of having made some noise that awoke him; if he was ill, we had either given him a sly pinch, or, in the nurse's absence, offered him some improper food; in short, not a day passed that we were not reprehended, or punished, for the fretful wailings of the poor sickly child. The repetition of undeserved reproof, or punishment, imperceptibly instilled the seeds of aversion towards the innocent object for whom we were compelled to bear them, and the hatred his brothers and sisters felt toward him far exceeded what I experienced; for my own part, so strong was the affection, or rather veneration, I experienced for the memory of my departed uncle, that I never accosted the little fellow by the name of Melville, or Belmont, without finding my heart yearn towards him, unless at those moments when I was smarting under corporal punishment, for having been accused of teasing the poor fretful child.

As the distresses of my early years, however, are not likely to interest my readers, although the most trifling circumstance is indelibly impressed upon my mind, I shall pass over the first four which succeeded my respected uncle's death, merely observing that, during that period, Mrs. Melville lost her eldest boy and girl by an epidemic fever, which broke out during the suminer vacation; in consequence of which, Charles, the second son, was sent to Eton, to supply his brother's place. Adolphus, the youngest, who had been made the instrument of his mo

ther's designs upon my uncle, was one of Fortune's favorite children; for his godfather, an old bachelor, dying about four years after my uncle, left him sole heir to his fortune.

As wealth was the goddess Mrs. Melville worshipped, those who possessed it becamę objects of her regard, and the little Melville and his brother Adolphus jointly seemed to engrossall her thoughts. Mr. Barnard, which was the name of the gentleman who had left Adolphus this unexpected store of worldly treasures, had an insuperable aversion to all schools, and in his will recommended å Mr. Talbut as a proper tutor for his adopted son. In point of learning, or as a classical scholar, Mr. Talbut was doubtless equal to the important trust, but he was one of those sycophantic characters who ought never to be intrusted with the education of youth. To his superiors he was degenerately submissive, and, to obtain their approbation, would have condescended to the most menial employment; but, to his inferiors, he was as proudly imperious as an eastern potentate.

Such was the man whom Mrs. Melville engaged to complete the education of this now darling son; and, as two pupils would not be likely to increase his demand of salary, it was determined that I should be taken from the Reverend Mr. F-l's. This alteration of plan took place about four years after my respected relation's death, and soon after I had completed my eleventh year: Adolphus, as I have observed, was two older, and, until the period of residing constantly with him, I had fancied him an amiable boy: he then, however, acted the part of a subaltern; but the case was now altered, and he was elevated to the rank of cowmander; and even the little Melville, who before the death of Mr. Barnard was the first person in the family, was frequently obliged to submit to the caprices of his elder brother.

My situation at that time was truly pitiable. Whatever fault my cousin committed was laid to my charge; for, from Mrs. Melville's representations, Mr. Talbut treated me as a being wholly dependent upon her bounty.

Despicable must be that mind which could reproach a child with, it's misfortunes; yet repeatedly was I reproached with the obligations I owed my aunt; and as repeatedly, for the most trifling fault, threatened with being turned out of doors, I had patiently borne this cruel and unjust mode of conduct nearly twelve months, when Mr. Montgomery, unexpected and uninvited, arrived at Belmont Lodge. The kindness of that gentleman's conduct to me, upon the death of my dear uncle, had made an indelible impression upon my youthful heart; and so ecstatic was my joy at his arrival, that I actually burst into tears.

Whence the meaning of this unmanly conduct, my dear fellow?" said Mr. Montgomery, cordially shaking me by the hand,

Whence, indeed!' repeated Mrs. Melville, for 'Henry's heart is not prone to melt.'

• It is prone to feel, madam;' I replied, with spirit-' and to melt with joy at the sight of a real

friend.'

There was something in the tone of my voice as I said this, which struck Mr. Montgomery, and evi

dently disconcerted Mrs, Melville; the former exclaimed,

• Well said, my boy! I honor and admire your feelings: yet I trust all the inhabitants of Belmont Lodge are your friends.'The insidious Talbut was in the room when Mr. Montgomery expressed this opinion, and by an involuntary impulse I directed my eyes toward him, with a kind of reproachful gaze, that seemed to mark him as an enemy, instead of a friend..

!

Mr. F-1 informs me,'continued Mr. Montgomery, not ap pearing to notice my expressive look, that you are now under the care of a private tutor; and that gentleman, I conclude, is Mr. Talbut.' The artful sycophant bowed gracefully, saying,

I have the honor, Sir, of being preceptor to Master S-, and Mrs. Melville generously wishes me to devote all my leisure hours to the instruction of her nephew,'

Mrs. Melville bit her lips, and appeared ready to sink with tere ror, whilst Talbut uttered the appalling sentence.

Mrs. Melville generously wishes you to devote your leisure hours to the instruction of her nephew!!" repeated Mr. Montgomery, with a mixture of contempt and indignation in the tone of his voice.

I could not have heard right; for it is impossible Mrs. Melville could have represented this young gentleman as dependent upon ber, This matter must be explained, Madam,' continued he, 'I was the bosom friend of your husband, and know that boy not only possesses an independent, but an ample fortune. Through the mis taken fondness of my friend,' added he, elevating his accents,