Madame Bonaparte, who as his general’s wife was entitled to the first honour, especially on that solemn day; and offering his other arm to Madame Tallien, he conducted them down the staircase of the Luxembourg. The crowd stepped forward to see them as they passed along. “That is the general’s wife,” said one. “That is his aide de camp,” said another. “He is very young.” “She is very pretty.--_Vive le General Bonaparte!--Vive la Citoyenne Bonaparte!_ She is a good friend to the poor.” “Ah!” exclaimed a great fat market woman, “She is _Notre Dame des Victoires_!” “You are right,” said another, “and see who is on the other side of the officer; that is _Notre Dame de Septembre_!” This was severe and it was also unjust.’ We must not trust to the caricaturist’s portrait of Josephine. She was good looking and graceful then, but, afterwards, she did become very stout. We must never forget in looking over the folios of caricatures of this period, that the idea of caricaturing then was to exaggerate everything, and make it grotesque; it is only of modern years that the refinement of a Leech, Tenniel, or Proctor, gives us caricature without vulgarity. After seeing Josephine as she really was, it will be worth while to compare the satirist’s idea of her, and her marriage with Napoleon. Nap changed on entering Society, Obscurity for notoriety; He to Barras only inferior, Commands the army of th’ interior. As pride in office is essential, His manners now were consequential; Conducting all affairs of weight, The little man was very great; And by this sudden rise to dignity, He gave full weight to his malignity. Barras, now moved by his persuasions, Consulted him on all occasions; A greater compliment, too, paid he, He got for him, a _cast off_ lady: A widow rich, as they relate, But how so rich, ’tis hard to state, Her spouse, for politics reputed, By Robespierre was executed, And she was by Barras _protected_, Till he at length the fair neglected. However, she procured with great art, A man of colour for a sweetheart; By which no fortune’s manifested, For men of colour are detested; They married would have been, moreover, But that--in stepped another lover; * * * * * * * * * *