A complete history of the Marquis de Lafayette, major-general in the American army in the war of the revolution. Embracing an account of his tour through the United States, to the time of his departure, September, 1825. By an officer in the late army.

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. 219
will be a civil war, and the streets of Paris will be deluged
with the blood of the citizens." The national guard refuised
to act: "We know," said the grenadiers, " that we are violating the law; but the safety of the country is the first of
laws."-In short, the king and royal family, after having
beer nearly two hours in the coach, exposed to the insults
and derision of the multitude and of the mutinous soldiery,
were under the necessity of getting out of the carriage and
walking to the palace, amidst the groans, hootings, and hisses
of the multitude. Lafayette had arrived, at the first suggestiion of danger. "If," said he to the king, " this be a matter
of conscience with your majesty, we will, if it be necessary
die to maintain it;" and he offered immediately to open a
passage by force; but the king declined a resort to arms.?
The writers of all parties have done justice to the spirit
and propriety which distinguished the conduct of Lafayette
on this occasion. Disgusted at the shameful scene on the
eighteenth, he sent in his resignation, observing, that since
the national guards would no longer obey, he must cease to
retain a command which was merely nominal. This event
was no sooner known than all Paris was seized with a general consternation; nor could all the machinations of Lafayette's enemies prevent their soliciting, in a body, and under
circumstances the most respectful to him, that he would reassume the command. It then appeared how much he was
beloved by the troops which he commanded. All the battalions assembled, and appointed deputations to the general,
expressing sorrow for their past conduct, and promisingimplicit obedience to his orders in future. They also sent deputations to the municipality and to the department entreating them to join in soliciting the general to resume the command.-The hotel of Lafayette was filled with these different
deputations, from the time that he had given in his resignation, until the following' morning at five o'clock. The
* Toulong. Hist. i. 270 —2.-Hist. French Rev. i. 223-4.-Nortb
Am. Rev. No. xlvi, 161. 32