The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-08-23

as perfect as his happiness at the result
of his visit.
Before retiring TO our chambers to
dream only of La Grange, we examin-
ed some Of the principal rooms of the
Chateau, our hospitable friends kindly
acting as expositors. The furniture is
perfectly neat, and even elegant, but
bears no marks of extravaganza or lux
ury--nothing which is incompatible with
a refined taste and republican simplic-
ity of Understanding which does not
conduce more TO convenience and COM
fort than 10 show; and which could be
compared in point of richness and SPLEEN
dor, az the General himself remarked,
with what he bad gratuitously been
made master Of in his tour through the
United States. The ornaments are near
ly al American. La the hall at the head
of tie stairway, and forming the en-
tranle to the drawing is portrait
Of Gen: Washington, with the colours
of lie frigate Brandywine, presented
by Commodore Morris, on his arrival at
Haue, hung in graceful festoons around
the almost idolized picture. On the
right of the father of his country, is
fine portrait of Franklin, copied by one
of tie accomplished grand-daughters of
Gen. La Fay cite. In conspicuous part
Of the hall, stands an admirable bust OF
President Adams, presented by Mrs
Adams, just before the General left
Washing ton. To these are added
portrait of Commodore Morris, Qaken
by particular reqnest,) and several pic
tnres connected with the history OF our
Re volutiop. The rotunda, or drawing
room, contains, besides other decorations,
"A painting Of the siege Of Yorktown,
and portrait of Gen. Wadsworth, the
revolutionary friend of La Fsyette.
At 10 O'Clock, which is uniformly the
hour for retiring at La Grange, we took
leave of the family for the night, and
were shown into our bed-chambers, af-
ter having been notified, that the ring
ing of the Chateau bell would summon
us TO breakfast at 10 the next morning.
Our apartments were in the same style
of neatness and comfort, as the sitting
rooms, with cheerful wood fire blaz-
ing upon the hearth, end carpets cover
ing the polished oaken floor.
In the morning grey-headed servant,
who is almost as old as the master whom
he loves, and from whom he has imbib-
ed his kindness of heart, opened the
{finnr gently, and performed his office OF
reminding the fire, with such studied
quiet, as would scarcely disturb the
slum5ers of sick bed. We reached
the drawing-room in season, TO see the
members Of the happy family appear
one after another, and share the pater-
nal kiss. Breakfast was served up in a
large hall on The ground floor, in the u
sual French style, with wine and coffee
after The desert. The table was crown
ed with abundance, without superf1uity
and circle Of smiling faces would
have rendered a less sumptuous repast
agreeable. Among the rarer dishes,
was kind of pie, sent as deGcacy to
the General from some of Eis friends at
Strasbourg.
After breakfas. was over, we walked
out in compony with Washington La Fay
lette, and the whole group of ladies. to
examine the exterior of the Chateau,
and the farm, Of which scarcely a glance
had as vet been obtained. La Grange
Twas formerly fortified baronial castle ;
and, notwithstanding the modification II
has undergone, much of its antique and
| ftudal character still remains. 1t was
once surrounded by deep double moat,
sections of which, filled with wafer, have
! been preserved, and the residue filled
up, either for the sake of health or con-
venience. The edifce consists OF a
centre, perhaps hundred feet in length,
with two wings of about the same d.
mansions, and joining it at right angles.
From traces still visible, a gallery ew-
IDENTIFY extended across at the other ex-
tremity of the wings, enclosing quad
ranguiar courtyard, strongly defended,
with only one entrance under lofty
arch in the northern wall, guarded by
portcullis.
The Chateau is three stories high,
plainly constructed OF hard ana DARK
coloured stone, rendered of deeper
line by its venerable age and long expos
ure to the climate. Two Gothic tow
ers, of conical shape, rise from the
ends of each of the wings, aud form al
most the only ornament. The approach
is by winding avenue on the northern
side, leading through a thick grove Of
evergreens and other trees, and under
the arch already mentioned, around
which hang festoons of ivy, planted by
the celebrated Charles James Fox, IN
one Of his visits TO La Grange. The
beautiful plant is as green as his memo
ry, and mantles nearly the whole facade
Of the Chateau. Its luxuriant foliage,
shading the grey walls, the thick copse