Chapter I: Preface

THE life of the General Marquis de La Fayette is intimately connected with the two most important epochs in the history of both France and America. His name binds together these nations by indissoluble bonds of sympathy; and Washington and La Fayette will forever be found side by side in the annals of history.

As a large portion of the material presented in this volume has been gathered from French works never before translated and which are now out of print, and also from original files of newspapers, and various manuscripts written by members of the La Fayette family, a more complete life of General La Fayette is here offered than has before appeared, either in this country or in Europe.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

-------

CHAPTER PAGE

I. LA FAYETTE’S EARLY LIFE 1

II. HIS ARRIVAL IN AMERICA.—BATTLE OF BRANDYWINE 18

III. SCENES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 58

IV. LA FAYETTE’S DIPLOMATIC MEASURES IN FRANCE AND 99
SPAIN, IN BEHALF OF AMERICA

V. LA FAYETTE ELECTED A MEMBER OF THE NOTABLES 127

VI. LA FAYETTE’S EFFORTS IN DEFENCE OF KING AND 158
CONSTITUTION

VII. VIRGINIE LA FAYETTE’S ACCOUNT OF HER FATHER’S 191
AND MOTHER’S IMPRISONMENT

VIII. DREADFUL SCENES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 216

IX. LA FAYETTE LIBERATED FROM THE PRISON AT OLMÜTZ 258

X. LA FAYETTE PRESENTED TO THE PREMIER CONSUL 288

XI. LA FAYETTE’S VISIT TO AMERICA 315

XII. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF THE MARQUIS IN THE 339
UNITED STATES

XIII. LA FAYETTE ELECTED TO THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES 365

XIV. REVOLUTION OF 1830 397

XV. LA FAYETTE’S CHARACTER AND FAMILY LIFE 427

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

-------

PAGE

PORTRAIT OF LA FAYETTE _Frontispiece_ BIRTHPLACE OF LA FAYETTE 6 BARON DE KALB 10 LOUIS XVI. 12 MARIE ANTOINETTE 14 WASHINGTON 24 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 26 COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU 74 LORD CORNWALLIS 82 COUNT DE GRASSE 92 LA FAYETTE’S ROOM AT MOUNT VERNON 110 FREDERICK II. 114 ASSEMBLY OF THE NOTABLES 132 “GO AND TELL YOUR MASTER” 140 THE CROWD ARM THEMSELVES AT THE INVALIDES 142 VIEW OF THE BASTILE 144 THE CROWD SHOUT, “TO VERSAILLES!” 148 THE KING COMES TO THE HOTEL DE VILLE 158 KEY OF THE BASTILE 160 FESTIVAL IN THE CHAMPS DE MARS 164 THE KING ACCEPTING THE CONSTITUTION 172 THE MOB INVADE THE TUILERIES 180 PRINCESS ELIZABETH 182 FREDERICK WILLIAM II., KING OF PRUSSIA 186 FRANCIS I., EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA 186 RETURN OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TO PARIS 194 BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY TRIBUNAL 210 SENTENCED TO THE GUILLOTINE 220 MADAME DE STAËL 240 EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI. 250 ALEXANDER HAMILTON 262 DIRECTEUR SIEYÈS 266 NAPOLEON 268 JOSEPH BONAPARTE 292 CHARLES JAMES FOX 296 GENERAL JACKSON 332 BUST OF LA FAYETTE 380 LOUIS PHILIPPE 398 ENTRANCE TO CHÂTEAU LA GRANGE 431 CHÂTEAU LA GRANGE 433 CORPORAL OF THE PRISON AT OLMÜTZ 436 VASE PRESENTED BY MIDSHIPMEN OF THE “BRANDYWINE” 437 CANE PRESENTED BY COMMODORE TAYLOR 438 CLOCK BELONGING TO LA FAYETTE 438 SEALS BELONGING TO LA FAYETTE 439 ROMAN STANDARD PRESENTED BY CITY OF LYONS 439 MEDAL PRESENTED BY ELECTORS OF MEAUX 440 RING GIVEN BY GRANDSON OF WASHINGTON 440 WASHINGTON’S DECORATION OF THE CINCINNATI 441 PIN PRESENTED BY FRANKLIN’S GRANDDAUGHTER 442 RING CONTAINING HAIR AND PORTRAIT OF JEREMY BENTHAM 442 CRYSTAL BOX CONTAINING MEMENTOS OF RIÉGO 442 ROUND WOODEN BOX 443 SWORD PRESENTED BY NINTH REGIMENT ARTILLERY 444 SWORD PRESENTED BY CONGRESS 443 VASE PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL GUARD 449 LA FAYETTE’S DEATH CHAMBER 470 LA FAYETTE’S TOMB 472

THE LIFE OF LA FAYETTE.