Lafayette

the Frenc

bare round towers flank the building on the right and on the left. Rows of lofty French windows are built across the upper part of th

nearly like the earlier structure as possible; hence it represents, as it stands, the chivalrous days of the crusading period and so forms a fitting birthpla

sweep fierce winds, where the golden broom and the purple heather-flowers of the barren heights-are all that will flourish. There are, indeed, secluded v

they might catch sight of a wild boar nozzling about for mushrooms under the dead oak leaves; and if it had been a severe winter, it was quite with

became known as Motier de la Fayette. In 1240 Pons Motier married the noble Alix Brun de Champetières; and from their line descended the famous Lafayettes known to all Americans. Other Auvergne es

the battle at Beaugé in 1421, when the English Duke of Clarence was defeated and his country was compelled to resign hope of a complete conquest of France. Among other men who bore the name, there were military governors of towns and cities, aids to kings in war, captains and seneschals. Many of them spent their lives in camps and on battlefields

enty-five, had been living quietly in the Chateau Chaviniac. But a great conflict was going on-the S

steep, rocky roadway from the chateau to the village, and so galloped away-over

ilitary spirit. His mother was the daughter of the Comte de la Rivière, lie

For hundreds of years they had been renowned throughout the region of their Auvergne estates for lofty character and a kindly attitude toward their h

at the achievements of the American soldiery, and taking especial pride in his own American regiment. This period was followed by a worthy career in France, but for five years-from his thirty-fifth year to his fortieth-he was unjustly imprisoned in a grim old Austrian fortress. At the age of sixty-seven he made a wonderful tour through

issant gentleman Monseigneur Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert Dumotier de Lafayette, the lawful son of the very high and the very puissant Monseigneur Michel-Louis-Christophe-Roch-G

me was Gilbert Motier, although he was always proud of the military title, "General," bestowed on him by our country. To tell the truth, imposing names meant little

ather had been killed at the battle of Minden, leaving the young mother a widow. The boy, however, grew in strength with the years. Naturally, all was done that could be done to keep him in health. At an

feat which for one so young would have been heroic. It was reported in the castle that a dangerous hyena was prowling about in the vicinity of the estate, terrifyin

e to face, and it is well for the world that he did not. He was preserved to

er, a woman of unusually strong character; these, together with two aunts, form

the hunting season. His cousin, it appears, had written him an account of a hunt in the neighborhood, but she had not written enough about it to satisfy his desire. Why did she not give details? he asked. He reproachfully added that

lawyer, politician, writer, soldier-whatever he chose. Never

nd helmet. There were far-away ancestors in glistening armor and laced jackets. There was also the military portrait of that Gilbert Motier de Lafayette who was marshal in the time of Charles VII, and whose motto "Cur non" (Why not?) was chose