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. 313
lay in receiving a message from the emperor, they passed
a resolution that a deputation of five members should proceed to the emperor, and express to his majesty the urgency
of his decision. At the suggestion of general Solignac, than
whom no man stood higher in the estimation of every party,
the chamber unwillingly agreed to wait for one hour to receive the message, and adjourned for that purpose. Solignac
hastened imr ediately to the palace to endeavour to save the
honour of that chief whom he still respected, although during
five years, the emperor had eagerly seized every opportunity
to mortify, insult, and disgrace him.-In vain had many of
his ministers urged his voluntary abdication. The prece.
ding night was passed in discussion, and it was not until the
chambers hat actually assembled in the morning, that the
conditional promise was extorted from him, that if the negotiations of the chambers failed, he would make the sacrifice
which was required. Lucien and Bertrand alone opposed
his abdication, and persisted in urging him to dissolve the
chambers, and crush his enemies by one decisive blow.
Lucien had heard of the tumultuous opening of the sittings
in the morning, and was well assured that a motion would
soon be made that Napoleon had forfeited the crown. He
hastened to his brother, to make one last effort ere it was too
late. The idea of the declaration of a forfeiture irritated
Napoleon to madness. He sent in great haste for Davoust,
the minister of war, and abruptly inquired what force he
could lead against the assembly if he were compelled to proceed to extremities. Davoust hesitated; and his reply proved that he would not involve himself in a violent and unconstitutional measure. "I understand you," said the emperor, "my sun is set:" and he abrubtly quitted the apartment.
Wheil general Solignac was introduced, he explained with
much feeling the purport of his mission. He stated the
disposition of the chambers, and the method by which he
had succeeded in averting, for one short hour, the fatal decision, and entreated the emperor to prevent the disgrace