Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1881 — A Woman’s Whims. [ARTICLE]

A Woman’s Whims.

Tho Empress Josephine had 600,000 francs for her personal expenses, out this sum was not sufficient, and her debts increased to an appalling degree. Notwithstanding the riches of her husband, she coulu never submit to either order or etiquette in her private life. She rose at 9 o’clock. Her toilet consumed much time, and she lavished unwearied efforts on the preservation and embellishment of her person. She changed her linen three times a day, and never wore dny stockings that were not new. Huge baskets were brought to her containing different dresses, shawls and hats. From these she selected her costume for the day. She possessed between three and four hundred shawls, and always wore one in the morning, which she draped about her shoulders with unequaled grace. She purchased all that were Drought to her, no matter at what price. The evening toilet was as careful as that of the morning—then she appeared with flowers, pearls, or precious stones in her hair. The smallest assembly was always an occasion for her to order a new costume, in spite of the hoards of dreases in the various Blaces.8 laces. Bonaparte was irritated by iese expenditures; he would fly into a passion and his wife would weep and promise te be more prudent; after which she would go on in the same way. It is almost Incredible that this passion for dress should never have exhausted itself. After the divorce she arrayed herself with the same care, even when she saw no one. She died covered with ribbons and pale rose-colored satin.