Ville been carried by the patriots, and retaken by the royalist forces. The contest was doubtful. The deputies still hesitated. A protest, tame and inefficient, and a commission to obtain a truce, were proposed. Lafayette was for ordering Marmont, the commandant of the royal forces, in the name of the law, and on his own personal responsibility, to cause the firing to cease. He believed that the deputies ought at once to espouse the cause and direct the energies of the people. Indignant at the delays, while blood was so profusely flowing, Lafayette declared to his colleagues his determination to act in accordance with those views, and, with or without their concurrence, to redeem the pledge he had given to the people. Meanwhile the patriots, after a desperate struggle, had again carried the Hotel de Ville; the Swiss and other guards had retreated before them, and the second day, (July 23,) closed with the promise of victory. Courage began to warm the hearts of the deputies. A few of them, with Lafayette at their head, resolved to raise the tri-colored standard, and at 12 o'clock adjourned to meet the next morning at 5, at the house of M. Lafitte, the banker. The night from the 28th to the 29th of July, was passed throughout Paris in busy preparation for the decisive contest that was to follow. From the meeting of the deputies, Lafayette went forth to inspect the barricades, and the defensive measures which the people were adopting. He was recognized by the patriots, and his presence and approbation created the greatest enthusiasm. After traversing several streets and encountering many dangers, Lafayette, the next morning, reached the house of M. Lafitte, where the delegates were to assemble. The conflict was renewed at daybreak. Some of the leading patriots, feeling the want of official sanction, which they had looked for in vain from the deputies, had given out that a provisional government was formed, composed of Lafayette, Gerard, and Chasseul, which held its session at the Hotel de Ville. This device operated like magic. The name of Lafayette inspired confidence. Entire companies of the national guards reappeared in uniform, under arms. Prodigies of valor were performed by the people. The palaces of the Louvre and the Tuilleries were carried. Several battalions, and two entire regiments of the royalist troops, either joined the people or retired from the conflict. At this crisis, the deputies, assembled at M. Lafitte's, inspired with a portion of the general enthusiasm, yielded to the solicitations of numerous citizens from the Hotel de Ville, for the organization of a provisional government. Lafay ette, on the call of the people, and with his consent, was appointed to the command of all the military forces. Gen. Gerard immediately volunteered to serve under the orders of Lafayette, and the direction of active operations was confided to him. Civil commissioners were also appointed, to take charge of general affairs. Lafayette repaired at once to the Hotel de Ville. He was conveyed in triumph by crowds of citizens, and saluted on the way by men, women, and children, with shouts of joy, as their friend and deliverer. Arrived at the Hotel de Ville, he caused the tri-colored flag to be raised upon the tower of that ancient edifice, again consecrated to liberty, and published the following proclamation: "My dear fellow-citizens and brave comrades, "The confidence of the people of Paris once more calls me to the command of the popular force. I have accepted with devotion and joy the powers that have been confided to me, and, as in 1789, I feel my. self strong in the approbation of my honorable colleagues, this day assembled in Paris. I shall make no professions of my faith, my sen. timents are well known. The conduct of the Parisian population, in these last days of trial, has made me more than ever proud of being their leader. Liberty shall triumph, or we will perish together! "Vive la Liberte! Vive la Patrie ! “LAFAYETTE.” Lafayette also addressed the following proclamation to the army: "BRAVE SOLDIERS, "The inhabitants of Paris do not hold you responsible for the orders which have been given you; come over to us, we will receive you as brothers; come and range yourselves under the orders of that brave general who has shed his blood for the defence of the country under so many various circumstances, General Gerard. The cause of the army could not be long separated from the cause of the nation and of liberty. Is not its glory our dearest patrimony? Neither can we ever forget that the defence of our independence and our liberty is our first duty as citizens. Let us then be friends because our interests and our rights are in common. General Lafayette declares in the name of the whole population of Paris, that it cherishes no sentiments either of hatred or host lity against the French soldiers: it is ready to fraternize with all those who will return to the cause of the country and of liberty; and it ardently invokes the moment when citizens and sol diers, united under the same banner, and in the same sentiments, may at length realize the happiness and glorious destinies of our fine country. Vive la France! "GENERAL LAFAYETTE.” CHAPTER XXXI. Result of the "Glorious Three Days"-Lafayette in behalf of the people and the deputies, declares the throne vacant-Refuses the executive power-Consents to the appointment of the Duke of Orleans as Lieutenant-General--Meeting of Lafayette and the Lieutenant-General, at the Hotel de Ville-Guarantees in favor of liberty-The Duke made King, with the title of Louis Philippe--Lafayette appointed commander-in-chief of the national guards-Presentation of the colors-Trial of the Polignac ministers--Lafayette suppresses the popular commotion-Is the victim of envy and intrigue-Resigns his commission--Continues his services as a deputy--Opposes a retrograde policy-Benevolent acts, during the cholera -Age threatens its infirmities-The duel of Dulong and Bugeaud -Lafayette attends the funeral of Dulong-The cause of his illness- -Progress of his disease-His death-Funeral honors and ob, sequies-The Tomb of Lafayette The victory was THE glorious THRDE DAYS were ended. complete. Although the people had fought with desperation, the utmost order was observed. They walked in triumph through the palaces of royalty, and not an article was despoiled. The prisoners and the wounded were treated by them with the greatest humanity. What a contrast to the Reign of Terror! The loss of the patriots in the conflict was stated at 6000 men; 1000 or 1200 killed, the remainder wounded. That of the royalist troops was not ascertained; but from the forbearance shown by the people, in the moments of victory, their loss probably was not greater. The next day, Charles X sent commissioners to the Hotel de Ville, to make concessions, and announce the recal of the offensive ordinances. Lafayette answered, in the name of his colleagues, and of the people, that it was "too late," that conciliation was impossible, and that the royal family had ceased to reign. There was a strong feeling at the Hotel de Ville, among those who had been foremost in accomplishing the revolu tion, in favor of a republic, with Lafayette as its Presi dent. It was in the power of Lafayette to have made himself the head of the new government, whether the form of it had been republican or monarchical. He gave to the world new proofs of the disinterestedness of his motives and character, by positively declining all suggestions of that nature. It was the wish of Lafayette, that no government of a permanent nature should be established, until the primary assemblies could be convoked to express the will of the nation. The Chamber of Deputies, however, elected the Duke of Orleans head of the provisional government, under the title of Lieutenant-General of the kingdom. A deputation of the Chamber proceeded to the Hotel de Ville, to inform Lafayette of this decision of the deputies. The Duke of Orleans had espoused the constitutional cause during the former revolution. He had been proscribed by the Jacobins; had taken refuge in Switzerland, and employed himself there as a teacher; had thence joined the republican army, and served under an assumed name, until compelled by the jealousy of the terrorists to fly; when, after travelling for a time in the north of Europe, he came to the United States and travelled through several states of the Union. No reverses, no persuasions, could induce him to take arms against his country; and he remained abroad until after the fall of the Jacobins. Lafayette, therefore, had confidence in the liberal principles and integrity of character of the Duke of Orleans. The deputies, chosen under peculiar circumstances, fresh from the people, constituted the only organs which then existed of the national will. He, therefore, deemed it his duty to acquiesce in their decision, although not in full conformity with his own views. The Duke of Orleans having accepted of the appointment, repaired to the Hotel de Ville, to pay his respects to Lafayette and the civil commissioners, and to take upon himself the duties of his office, in the presence of the people. He was accompanied by the deputies, and escorted by some citizens and national guards. Lafayette, surrounded by the municipal commission, and by the pupils of the Polytechnic school, who had immortalized themselves during the glorious three days, advanced to meet the prince, and they embraced each other with cordiality. But the popular preference was not yet reconciled. Amidst the cries of vive le Duc d'Orleans, were heard those of Vive la Liberte ! Vive Lafayette! One of the deputies read the decree of |