After leaving St. Paul’s church, we visited the park in front of the City Hall, where the firemen were drawn up in line, and the General reviewed them. After reviewing this new species of militia, but not less useful than that which is called to the defence of the territory, they defiled with as much order as a division of artillery. We saw thus pass before us forty-six engines, each drawn and escorted by a company of about thirty men, led by a captain with a speaking trumpet. Each engine bore a standard and the emblems of the company. Many of these standards were adorned with portraits of men whose names are dear to the people. The equestrian portraits of Washington and Lafayette were peculiarly conspicuous. After all the engines had defiled we ascended to the balcony of the City Hall, the general was addressed by the commander-in-chief of the Firemen, and we next saw the manœuvres with the engines. They were all formed into a circle around a pyramid erected of the ladders and firehooks. At the top of this pyramid was placed a small house filled with combustible materials; it was set on fire, and on a signal being given, all the engines were worked at the same time with so much accuracy of aim that the whole was extinguished in two minutes. In all thus meeting at the same point, the spouts of water formed a most beautiful liquid dome, adorned with the colours of the rainbow.
On the 10th, we were engaged to dine with Colonel Fish; we were about to go there at four o’clock, when on going out, we found the 9th regiment of artillery drawn up before the hotel to escort Lafayette to the house of his friend. At the moment the general appeared, Colonel Muir commanding the regiment, advanced and presented him in the name of his comrades, a richly wrought sword, all the parts of which had been manufactured in New York. In expressing his thanks, General Lafayette said, “it is with pleasure and gratitude I receive this precious present from a corps of citizen soldiers, each of whom knows that steel was given to men to defend liberty, where it exists, and to gain it, where it has been destroyed by crowned and privileged usurpers.” This answer was received with loud applause, and the general was escorted by the regiment and a numerous concourse of citizens to the house of Colonel Fish. The day was terminated by some beautiful fire-works in honour of Lafayette.
The next day the general and his son were present at a masonic celebration of the Knights Templars, who admitted them to their lodge, and conferred upon them the highest honours, of which they presented them the richly wrought badges. In the evening, we dined with the French residents of New York, who wished to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the battle of Brandywine. The dinner was prepared at Washington Hall, and this patriotic and family festival was marked by a character both happy and original; many Americans, who were present, were struck with astonishment. Upon the very broad table a plan of the grand canal, in relief, was exhibited, which traversing the state of New York, unites Lake Erie with the Atlantic. This novel sort of chart occupied a length of sixty feet upon the table, where it was hollowed out of the thickness of the wood, and lined with lead; an extremely limpid water filled the canal, which was bordered with green sod, imitating meadows, in the midst of which were models of houses, trees and animals. Bridges beautifully crossing the stream, and masses of rock under which the canal passed, and forests through which it wound along, all combined to complete this unique masterpiece of topography. Over the centre of the table was a large sun in continual rotation. Allegorical pictures, full length portraits of Washington and Lafayette, and trophies of French and American flags, completed the decorations. Mr. Monneron presided over the entertainment. After dinner, which was animated with a frank and cordial joy, a great number of toasts were drank, all impressed with that character of energetic patriotism which distinguishes every thing said or done in a truly free country. I cannot resist the desire to insert some of them here.
By the committee. “The United States; their national welfare is imperishable; it is founded upon religion, industry, and liberty.”
By the President. “General Lafayette; we are proud that he is a Frenchman.” And he added, “Gentlemen, in the fourteenth century the Lafayettes of Auvergne, already ameliorated the condition of what were at that period called vassals.
“In the fifteenth century Marshal Lafayette drove the enemies of France from her territory.
“In the sixteenth Mademoiselle Lafayette was the model of beauty, virtue and charity.
“In the seventeenth century Madam Lafayette composed works which will descend to the remotest posterity.
“In the eighteenth century, General Lafayette was born, the enemy of tyranny, and passionate lover of liberty.
“During his youth, he came to support and defend the cradle of liberty in the United States.