constitutional energies which were afterwards exemplified during the arduous duties and fatigues of a long and eventful life. His intellectual powers, however, were early and strongly developed for it may be said that he was a man while yet a child; and was found exercising the faculties of mature years, at a period when others have scarce passed the boundary which divides youth from infancy. He was educated, as he himself states, in Auvergne, "with tender and revered relations," until the age of twelve years, when he was removed to a college (du Plessis) at Paris. There, soon after, April 12th, 1770, his mother died; and her death was in a few days followed by that of her father, the Marquis de la Reviere. By their deaths, the young collegian became the heir to great wealth, which was entirely at his own control. He was thus early, a favorite at the Court of Louis le Grand. He was one of the queen's pages; and became a member of the king's regiment of musqueteers, (Musquetaires du Roi,) in which, at the age of fifteen years, through the immediate patronage of the queen, he was promoted to the rank of a commissioned officer, a favor exclusively reserved for the sons of the most distinguished noblemen. His military duties, he states, only interrupted his studies on review days; and at this period he was for a short time a resident at the Academy of Versailles. With an education thus hastily snatched from the duties and temptations of a profligate court, it could not be expected that Lafayette should become distinguished for profound scholarship. Literary and scientific attainments, therefore, constitute a small portion of the elements of his fame.

In April, 1774, Lafayette, then a little more than sixteen years of age, was married to the young and interesting Countess Anastasie de Noailles, daughter of the duke of that name. This marriage is represented to have been induced by considerations of family interest; but that it was also a marriage of affection, there is explicit and gratifying evidence upon record. True, it connected Lafayette with a numerous and influential family, and largely augmented his fortune, which, after his marriage, produced him an annual income of 200,000 francs, about $37,500, per annum. But these were petty considerations, compared with the treasure he secured in an amiable and virtuous wifea noble-hearted woman, who, in the vicissitudes of his sub

sequent career, participated patiently in his misfortunes, shared his imprisonment, and emulated his virtuous and patriotic examples; and whose fame must be ever identified with that of the man with whom her earthly destinies were united.

The possession of wealth, the allurements of the court, the flattery of friends and dependents, could not obliterate in the bosom of Lafayette, the love of liberty and virtue with which he seems to have been early inspired. The principle, innate or acquired, must have been deeply and strongly rooted which could have withstood such temptations.

He represents himself as being illy calculated to obtain the favor of the society in which he moved; that his habitual silence, when he did not think the subjects discussing worthy of being canvassed; his observing disposition, simplicity of manners, and independence of mind," rendered it impossible for him to bend to the graces of the court, or to the charms of a supper in the capital." "You ask me, (he says,) at what period I first experienced my ardent love of liberty and glory? I recollect no time of life anterior to my enthusiasm for anecdotes of glorious deeds, and to my projects of travelling over the world to acquire fame. At eight years of age, my heart beat when I heard of an hyena that had done some injury, and caused still more alarm, in our neighborhood, and the hope of meeting it was the object of all my walks. When I arrived at college, nothing ever interrupted my studies, except my ardent wish of studying without restraint. I never deserved to be chastised; but in spite of my usual gentleness, it would have been dangerous to have attempted to do so; and I recollect with pleasure that, when I was to describe in rhetoric a perfect courser, I sacrificed the hope of obtaining a premium, and described the one who, on perceiving the whip, threw down his rider. Republican anecdotes always delighted me, and when my new connexions wished to obtain for me a place at court, I did not hesitate displeasing them to preserve my independence."

The place here alluded to was one in the household of the Count de Provence (afterwards Louis XVIII,) who was rather solicitous on the subject. Lafayette, who never manifested very great respect for royal blood, took a ludicrous

method of scilencing these importunities. Having met the count at a masquerade ball, he recognized him under his mask; and in a conversation, during which the count endeavored to display his memory to advantage, Lafayette remarked, that "It was unnecessary to take so much trouble to prove, that memory was the wit of fools." The count afterwards ascertaining that Lafayette knew him, notwithstanding his mask, at the time this remark was made, came to the conclusion that the young marquis would not make a very obsequious follower, and nothing more was said about attaching him to his person.

At this period, also, Lafayette was the member of an association of young men, in which the principles of civil liberty were discussed. When, therefore, the dawn of the American revolution burst upon the astonished eyes of Europe, Lafayette was prepared to become its open advocate, as he soon after became its active partisan.

CHAPTER II.

Commencement of the American Revolution-Its high character and objects-Lafayette among the first to espouse its cause-Origin of that intention-Resolves to go to America-Opposition of family and friends-Interview with Mr. Deane-Secret preparations-Mr. Deane's written stipulation-News of American disasters-their effects-Franklin and Deane dissuade Lafayette-His perseverance and confidence-Prepares to purchase and equip a vessel-Opposition of the French government-Vigilance of the British envoyevades it--Corresponds with Franklin and Deane-Visit to England -Distinguished reception-Openly avows his sentiments-Hastily returns to Paris-Prepares to depart for America-Government in. terference-His arrest ordered-Trying crisis-Proceeds in disguise-Pursued-Recognized by a young girl-His secret keptReaches Passage in safety.

THE resistance of the British colonies in America to the oppressive acts of the mother country, was the commencement of a new and important era in the history of nations. Governments had been long accustomed to regard the gov erned in the light of dependants, and to tyrannise over them with impunity; and the farther the victims were removed from the seat of power, the more inveterate and astringent

were the measures of coercion exercised towards them, and the more passive and unresisting had they remained.Rebellions were not unfrequent; but they were the outbreaks of passion, rather than the offspring of virtuous indignation; and the offenders were speedily scourged back to subserviency or despair. Revolutions there were; but they aimed not at the subversion of unjust power-they sought and accomplished only the exchange of one tyrant, or set of tyrants, for another. The American revolution first presented to the world the sublime spectacle of a virtuous people fearlessly contending for virtuous principles. The inalienable rights of man, were clearly and boldly defined. Liberty was proclaimed in reason, and not in licentiousness. The olive branch and the sword were both held out by the oppressed to their oppressors; and a declaration to meet death rather that submit to slavery, was sealed with the sacrifice of blood. An effort so bold and daring, and yet so just, was well calculated to excite the apprehension of despots, the sympathy of the virtuous, and the admiration of all men.

Lafayette was among the first in Europe to espouse the cause of the Americans. He waited not to calculate or to ascertain their chances of success. "When I first learned the subject of this quarrel, (says he,) my heart espoused warmly the cause of liberty, and I thought of nothing but of adding also the aid of my banner." His design of going to America, and offering his personal services in the army, is stated by Mr. Sparks, who doubtless derived the fact from Lafayette himself, to have originated in the following

manner::

"In the summer of 1776, (says Mr. Sparks, The Writings of Washington, Vol. V, Appendix No. 1, p. 445,) M. de Lafayette was stationed on military duty at Metz, being then an officer in the French army. It happened at this time that the Duke of Gloucester, brother to the King of England, was at Metz, and a dinner was given to him by the commandant of that place. Several officers were invited, and among others Lafayette. Despatches had just been received by the duke from England, and he made their contents the topic of conversation; they related to American affairs, the recent declaration of independence, the resistance of the colonists, and the strong measures adopted by the ministry to crush the rebellion,