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 Or. leans as Lieutenant-General-Meeting of Lafayette and the Lieutenant-General, at the Hotel de Ville-Guarantees in favour of lib. erty-The Duke made King, with the title of Louis Philippe-Lafayette appointed commander-in-chief of the national guards-Presentation of the colours-Trial of the Polignac ministers-Lafayette suppresses the popular commotion-Is the victim of envy and in. trigue-Resigns his commission-Continues his services as a deputy-Opposes a retrograde policy-Benevolent acts, during the chol. -Age threatens its infirmities-The duel of Dulong and Bugeaud -Lafayette attends the funeral of Dulong-The cause of his ill. ness- - Progress of his disease-His death-Funeral honours and obsequies The Tomb of Lafayette.

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THE glorious THREE DAYS were ended. The victory was 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 de spoiled. The prisoners and the wounded were treated by them with the greatest humanity. What a contrast to the Reign of Terrour! The loss of the patriots in the conflict was stated at 6000 men; 1000 or 1200 killed, the remain. der wounded. That of the royalist troops was not ascer tained; 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 revolution, in favour of a republick, with Lafayette as its Presi dent. It was in the power of Lafayette to have made

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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 tirere 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

appointment, and addressed the assemblage. The duke then spoke, and enumerated the guaranties which were to be granted for the liberties of the people. When the duke had concluded, Lafayette cordially grasped his hand, presented him the tri-coloured flag, and led him to a window, where the prince waved the flag, and the multitude, greeting this emblem of liberty with enthusiasm, shouted Vive le Duc d'Orleans! Vive Lafayette!

In a subsequent conversation with Lafayette, the Lieu. tenant-General promised all, for liberal principles, which Lafayette deemed the circumstances to warrant or require. "You know," observed Lafayette, "that I am a republican, and that I consider the constitution of the United States as the most perfect system that has ever existed." "I think so too," replied the duke; "it is impossible to have lived two years in America without being of that opinion; but do you think, in the situation in which France stands, and in the present state of publick opinion, we can venture to adopt it here?" "No," answered Lafayette; "what the French people want at the present juncture, is a popular throne, surrounded by republican institutions." "That," rejoined the duke, "is just what I think."

Being requested by the Lieut. General to retain his command of the national guards of the kingdom, Lafayette consented to do so, provisionally; and announced that con. sent, in a general order, as follows:

"Amidst the powers created by the necessities of our situation, the re-organization of the national guards is a measure of defence and publick order demanded on all sides. It is the opinion (and I feel that it is complimentary to me) of the Prince who executes the high functions of Lieutenant-General of the kingdom, that I ought for the present to take the command of the national guard. I refused to do so in 1790, when solicited by 3,000,000 of my comrades, because the office would have been permanent and might one day have become dangerous. Now circumstances are different and I believe it to be my duty, in order to secure liberty and my country, to accept the office of commandant general of the national guards of France."

A few days thereafter, a new constitutional charter was framed and adopted; and, to put an end to the intrigues of those who feared a republick, or desired the return of the deposed family, the Duke of Orleans was declared king of the French, under the simplified title of Louis Philippe, the Citizen King.