“‘Permit me, gentlemen, to thank you for the honor you have done my country,—an honor, it may, at least, claim to merit by its cordial sentiments for France. It was my good fortune, gentlemen, to be an eye-witness of your glorious revolution of July, and to see, with unbounded admiration, how a population—brave and generous—can be forbearing after having been subjected to the most terrific trials; and what moderation it can exercise in the midst of a victory purchased by so many noble sacrifices. But it was not necessary to have been a personal witness of your revolution to admire and appreciate it. At the distance of more than a thousand leagues beyond the Atlantic Ocean it has been felt and appreciated in all its noble grandeur.
“‘The three memorable days have been hailed by every people as the triumph of human liberty; but with us, they have given rise to the same rejoicings as our national victories; we have celebrated your 29th July, as we celebrate our own 4th of July, with illuminations, processions, salutes, and all the demonstrations of patriotic exultation. This is a proof that the ties which formerly connected the two nations in a glorious alliance, still retain all their moral force; the evidence of a sympathy and fidelity to ancient recollections, which, I hope, will insure their cordial union under the auspices of an enlightened and upright king, whose constitutional throne and noble character present the best of guarantees at the same time for his own people and for foreign powers. I have the honor to propose a toast, which emanates from the bottom of all American hearts—“The king of the French, and the French nation.”’”
We cannot resist adding an extract from the animated speech of General La Fayette upon this occasion:—
“Here I find, happily mingled together, all the recollections—all the sentiments and feelings of my life. I am surrounded by the grandsons of my early American companions, the sons of my comrades of ’89, and my new brethren in arms of 1830. In this Hôtel de Ville, twice the cradle of the freedom of Europe, have this day been presented the resolutions of the city of Philadelphia—of that city where, on the 4th of July, 1776, was proclaimed the declaration of independence, the date of a new era of liberty for the two worlds—of a liberty that, for the first time, was founded upon the genuine rights of the human race.
“Five years ago, at the commemoration of a great anniversary at Boston, on proposing as a toast, ‘The emancipation of the American hemisphere,’ which had been effected in the course of half a century, I prophesied that before the next fiftieth anniversary came round, the toast would be, ‘The emancipation of Europe.’ May this prediction be verified! A disciple of the American school, as you all well know,—and were I capable of forgetting it, there are many who would remind me of it,—it is most natural that I should drink to the memory of my teacher—my adopted father: I propose to you, ‘The memory of Washington.’”
CHAPTER XV.
La Fayette’s Personal Appearance—His Health—His Sight—Expression of his Countenance—His Temperate Habits—His Dress—His Economy of Time—La Fayette’s Home at La Grange—The Estate—The Grounds—The Terraced Lawns—Brilliant Flowers—The Ivy planted by Charles Fox—The Château—La Fayette’s Apartments—Numerous Mementos and Curiosities—Cannon of the Revolution of 1830—A Famous Cockatoo—The Small Chapel—The Trophy of Flags—Memorable Paintings—Interesting Engravings—American Declaration of Independence—Farewell Address of President Washington—The Illustrious Trio—The American Gallery—Private Apartments of La Fayette—Many Memorials—La Fayette’s Epaulettes—Interesting Uniforms—La Fayette’s Library—Famous American Folio—Seals, Banners, Civic Crowns, and other Mementos—Souvenirs of General Washington—His Glasses—Umbrella—Ring—Decoration of Cincinnati—Franklin’s Cane and Pin—Sad Mementos of Ríego—A Curious Box—American Relics—The Sword of Honor presented to General La Fayette by Congress—Full Description of this Sword—Monumental Vase presented by the National Guard of France—La Fayette’s Museum—Indian Curiosities—Benevolence of the La Fayette Family—La Fayette’s Character—His Moral and Intellectual Faculties—His Beau Ideal of Life—His Conscience—His Moral Integrity—His Love of Truth—His Patriotism—His Generosity—His Ambition—His Estimate of Reputation and Glory—His Equitable Disposition—His Rule of Conduct—His Physical Endurance—His Frankness—His Conversation—His Speeches—Comments upon his English Composition—His Style—His Letters—His Handwriting—His Ideas of Liberty and Equality—His Abhorrence of Violent Measures—His Undaunted Courage—His Ideas of Education—His Opinions regarding Labor—His Recognition of Liberty of Conscience—His Efforts in Behalf of the African Race—His Abhorrence of Slavery—His Efforts regarding Prison Reforms—His Horror of Capital Punishment—His Opinions in Questions of Morals, Jurisprudence, Policy, and Public Economy—Comments on his Character from the Encyclopædia Britannica—La Fayette’s Influence in France—Interesting Interview with La Fayette—His Occupations in Paris—His Last Sickness—His Death—His Grave.
“He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves besides.”—Cowper.
“LA FAYETTE was tall and well proportioned. He was decidedly inclined to stoutness, though not to obesity. His head was large; his face oval and regular; his forehead lofty and open; his eyes, which were full of goodness and intelligence, were large and prominent, of a grayish blue, and surmounted with light and well-arched, but not bushy eyebrows; his nose was aquiline; his mouth, which was habitually embellished with a natural smile, was seldom opened except to utter kind and gracious expressions; his complexion was clear; his cheeks were slightly colored, and, at the age of seventy-seven, not a single wrinkle furrowed his countenance, the ordinary expression of which was that of candor and frankness.
“Gifted with a strong and vigorous constitution, which was not developed till late in life, and which was enfeebled neither by the vicissitudes of a career passed amidst political convulsions, nor by the sufferings and privations which he underwent during his captivity, La Fayette, notwithstanding his advanced age, enjoyed his intellectual faculties to their full extent, and was rendered by his moral energy superior to circumstances which bow down or crush the generality of mankind.