Lafayette

ge an

is mountain home and went to Paris, where he was placed by his mo

ight; but holes were cut in the door so that the fresh air might come in. This, at least, was the theory. Practically, however, the little cell must have bee

t it should injure them. Parents might come to visit their children, but they were not allowed to pass be

tudies of this

into him the idea that the study of the coats of arms of reigning and nobl

ttily and with apt repartee. Fencing and vaulting were considered essential, as we

roved useful. It is related that one of the French soldiers who came to New England and who could not speak English resorted to Latin and found to his joy that the inhabitant of Connecticut, from whom he wished to purchase suppl

ies of his native country and of neighboring kingdoms were made familiar. History was taught as if it were a record of bat

tic, there would be enough to make several large volumes. Sometimes he dispatched as many as thirty letters at one time. He sent them by way of Spain, by way of Holland, or by any other roundabout route that offered promise of final delivery. But privateersmen frequently captured the boats that carried them, and very often the letter-bags were dropped overboard. Still another circumstance deprived the world of many of his writings.

s, many of them on weighty subjects, while numerous letters of Lafayette are to be found among the corresponden

st voyage to America. And what he acquired he at once put into practice. He learned the language fro

berty to lose it himself, and still less to be the occasion of the loss of it to others." Therefore he would not, unless it was absolutely unavoidable, be unpunctual to engagements, or keep people

eatings, one hundred thousand slaps, and twenty thousand switchings. Among smaller items he mentions ten thousand fillips and a million and a quarter raps and hits. He hurled a Bible, a catechism, or a singing-book at some hapless child twelve thousand times, and caused seven hundred t

almongers have not been able to unearth a mass of detraction. His close companions during army days testified that they never heard him swear or use gross language of any

nted at court that she might be in touch with what was going on and give her boy all the aid possible. She saw

me a favorite occupation of his to watch the picturesque reviews of those highly trained so

lls of the chateau to-day the face of that aristocratic lady shines out in its delicate beauty. A pointed bodice of cardinal-colored velvet folds the slender form and loose sleeves cover the arms. In the ro

incely, his record at college without blemish, his rank unexceptionable among the titles of nobility, he was quickly mentioned as an eligible partner in marriage for a young daughter of one of the most influential families in France,-a family that lived, said one

be his good genius. She became the object of the unwavering devotion of his whole life; and she responded with an affection that was without limit; she gave a quick and perfect understanding to all his projects an

ve so large a fortune was rather a disadvantage than otherwise, since it might be a help or a hindrance, according to the wisdom of the owner, and she rightly saw that the allurements of the Paris of 1770 to an unprotected youth of fortune would be almost irresistible. She therefore refused to allow a daughter of hers to accept the proposal. For several months she withhel

sit; there were numberless beautiful presents, the families represented and their many connections vying with each other in the richness and fineness of their gifts. Diamonds and jewels in settings of qua

r of to-day it would appear more like a splendid hotel than like a private residence. When, a few years after Lafayette's wedding, John Adams was representing the United States in Paris, and was entertained in this palatial home, he was so amazed that he could not find words in English or in French to describe the elegance and the richness of the residence. In it were suites of rooms for several families, for troops of guests, and for vast retinues of serva

he king that they received no less than eighteen million livres (more than three and a half million dollars) income each year. It must be remembered that the st

n some degree why thoughts of liberty, fraternity, and equality were haunting the minds of the you