Josephine, on her part, took up her residence in the beautiful villa of
Malmaison, near St. Germains. Here she principally dwelt for the
remaining years of her life, which were just prolonged to see the first
fall of her husband; an event which might have been averted had he been
content to listen more frequently to her lessons of moderation. Her life
was chiefly spent in cultivating the fine arts, of which she collected
some beautiful specimens, and in pursuing the science of botany; but
especially in the almost daily practice of acts of benevolence and
charity, of which the English _detenus_, of whom there were several at
St. Germains, frequently shared the benefit. Napoleon visited her very
frequently, and always treated her with the respect to which she was
entitled. He added also to her dowry a third million of francs, that
she might feel no inconvenience from the habits of expense to which it
was her foible to be addicted.


BONAPARTE MARRIES MARIA LOUISA.

This important state measure was no sooner completed, than the great
council was summoned, on the 1st of February, to assist the emperor in
the selection of a new spouse. They were given to understand, that a
match with a grand duchess of Russia had been proposed, but was likely
to be embarrassed by disputes concerning religion. A daughter of the
king of Saxony was also mentioned, but it was easily indicated to the
council that their choice ought to fall upon a princess of the house of
Austria. At the conclusion of the meeting, Eugene, son of the repudiated
Josephine, was commissioned by the council to propose to the Austrian
embassador a match between Napoleon and the archduchess Maria Louisa.
Prince Schwarzenberg had his instructions on the subject; so that the
match was proposed, discussed, and decided in the council, and