In the years after Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1815 defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, London hosted numerous exhibits related to the fallen French Emperor. Napoleon’s carriage was displayed, his battles formed the subjects of panoramas, the events of his life were depicted, and his portrait and various effects appeared on show. The oddest exhibit was a girl with Napoleon in her eyes.
The girl was named Josephine Louis. She was born around 1825 to a peasant family in the Lorraine region of France. By the time she was two and a half years old, Josephine was the talk of Paris.
The Countess de Boigne described the cause to which the parents attributed their daughter’s unusual eyes.
In 1828, or perhaps it was in 1827, a little girl of two years old was brought to me with bright blue eyes which seemed in no way remarkable at first sight. When, however, the eyes were examined more carefully, it was seen that the iris was composed of little filaments forming white letters on a blue background placed around the pupil, and making the words ‘Napoleon Emperor.’ The word ‘Napoleon’ was equally distinct in either eye; the first letters of the word ‘Emperor’ were indistinct in one eye and the last letters in the other. The little girl was very pretty, and seemed to enjoy excellent sight.
What the Countess did get right is that the government of Charles X would not allow the little girl to be exhibited in Paris. Thus, in July 1828, Josephine’s parents took her on a steamship to London.
By August, the girl with Napoleon in her eyes was on display for a fee at the Royal Bazaar on Oxford Street. The Bazaar had opened just a few months earlier, under the proprietorship of silversmith Thomas Hamlet. He billed it as “the most elegant and splendid establishment in London, having constantly on sale a brilliant assortment of fashionable articles of every description at the very lowest prices.” (6) It also showed dioramas.
Not everyone was immediately able to discern the inscription.
At least one poor fellow couldn’t see it at all.
These are the only reported words of young Josephine, who was described as having “marked and rather interesting features” and being “of a slight form, and short for her age.” (11) There is no report on how the three-year-old felt about sitting still for long periods with her eyes open so strangers could peer into them.
The girl with Napoleon in her eyes was exhibited at the Royal Bazaar until at least February of 1829. On May 27, 1829 the Royal Bazaar was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and reopened later that year. There is no word on what happened to young Josephine.
Katharine A. Ware, ed., The Bower of Taste, Vol. I (Boston, 1828), p. 763.
The London Medical Gazette, Vol. II (London, 1828), p. 311.
Adèle d’Osmond, Memoirs of the Comtesse de Boigne, Vol. III, edited by M. Charles Nicoullaud (New York, 1908), pp. 185-187.
The Morning Chronicle (London), July 30, 1828.
The Age (London), November 16, 1828.
Berrow’s Worcester Journal (Worcester, UK), August 14, 1828.
La Belle Assemblée, or Bell’s Court and Fashionable Magazine, Vol. VIII (London, 1828), p. 186.
Cherokee Phoenix (New Echota, Georgia), November 12, 1828.
John Bull (London), August 25, 1828.
The Morning Post (London), July 31, 1828.
Thanks, Alex. Glad you enjoyed it.
Fascinating article. I had never read about this anomaly before.
Thanks, Pam. Me neither, until I came across mention of the girl in the Countess de Boigne’s memoirs and thought it was interesting enough to dig into.
This is fascinating! You always have fun info to share. Thanks so much!
Very intriguing, Shannon. Thank you for a great piece!
Thanks, Victoria. Glad you enjoyed it!
It is said that [her eyes] exhibit in distinct letters, which grow in size as she advances in age, the words ‘NAPOLEON EMPEREUR,’ in capitals.