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THE

LIFE OF LAFAYETTE,

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CHAPTER I.

Lafayette-His ancestors-His Father: death of, at Minden-Historical discrepancies relative thereto-Lafayette's posthumous birthProud title and wealthy inheritance-Chevaniac, the place of his nativity-His infancy and childhood-Delicate constitutionStrong intellectual powers-His education-Death of his Mother and Grandfather-Becomes a favourite at Court-Is appointed one of the queen's pages, and a commissioned officer in the king's regiment Marries at the age of sixteen-His wife's family-Her amiable and noble character-Lafayette's love of liberty, early and innate-A poor courtier-Refuses a place-Was prepared to espouse the American revolution.

THE subject of this memoir is known to the civilized world, and will continue to be known through future ages, by the simple appellation of Lafayette. His history presents an example unparalleled, of pure philanthropy, of disinterested patriotism, and of faithful devotion to the cause of human liberty. Man has been termed "the creature of circumstance." To the perceptions of finite reason, his destiny is indeed controlled, in a great measure, by the chances of birth and fortune.

"O, who can tell, how many a soul sublime
Has felt the influence of malignant star,
And waged with Fortune an eternal war;
In life's low vale remote has pined alone,

Then dropt into the grave, unpitied and unknown."

But it is permitted to man to overcome, by mental and physical energies, the apparent influences of his destiny; and few have been distinguished as truly good or great, who have not risen superiour to the circumstances by which they were surrounded. Obscurity of birth, the chilling hand

of poverty, hang heavy upon the spirit, and often weigh down the most persevering efforts, even in this enlightened age and country. But it is much easier to surmount these, than to rise above the enervating and corrupting influences of aristocratick birth and wealthy inheritance.

Of the ancestors of Lafayette, and of his infancy, there are few historical records. We know, however, that he sprung from a family, boasting a long descent of French nobility; that he was literally born to a distinguished title and to a wealthy inheritance; and that he was, at the most voluptuous period of French history, nursed in the lap of luxury and indulgence. It is recorded that, "in the fourteenth century, the Lafayettes, in the province of Auvergne, already exerted themselves to improve the condition of those who were then called vassals ;" and that, "in the fifteenth century, Marshal de Lafayette expelled the enemy from the territory of France." In the female line, two of Lafay ette's ancestors are distinguished in history. The first of these was Louisa de Lafayette, who lived in the sixteenth century. She was maid of honour to Anne of Austria, the young and persecuted queen of Louis XIII, of France; and became the confidante and friend of that timid monarch. But when he ventured to hint a dishonourable proposal, she retired to a convent. At subsequent interviews, however, she, in concert with his confessor, warned the king against the enemies of his political power and domestick peace; and, notwithstanding the subtle craft of Cardinal Richelieu, her pious and generous voice held its influence, and succeeded in reconciling the monarch to his queen. Marie Madeline, Countess Lafayette, is favourably known in the literary annals of France. She was married to the Count de Lafayette, in 1665, and died in 1693.-Her principal works are 66 Zaide," many times reprinted, and "La Princesse de Cleves," to which Fontenelle is said to have given four readings. A high compliment is also paid to her genius by Voltaire. She had only one child, a daughter, who became Madame de la Tremoille, and heiress to the property of the Lafayette family, which she generously restored to the male line of the family, her cousins, who inhabited the province of Auvergne, in which the estate was situated.

The father of our hero, Michael-Louis-Christophe-RocheGilbert de Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, colonel of the

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