Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-10

.ha,;c.,,v a ciuzep of the American Republic,
and Familiarity speaks oft precisely IN the same
w.v ,s if he had been there born and educated
He receives great number OF American News,
naners, reviews, and other publications, ana
rsguiarly corresponds with many OF his friends
n every part Of the Union. These various
sources of information, perused with the utmost
attention, added to the astonishing accuracy OIL
his observations and recollections OF circum'
stances connected with his tour, render him oet'
ter acquainted with the condition OF our eouh-
try. than almost any one of its actua: residents.
He has visited every state in the coniederacy
under favorable circumstances, having oeen IN
troduced to the most prominent individuals, O
seen large proportion of the whole population
in each. A package Of letters and papers had
lust reached him, and he gave US detailed &C,
count of events, which were new to US, ana OF
an interesting character.
In the course ofthe evening, he often revert
ed to the scenes he had visited, s. to thefriends
with whom he had met and parted, with no ex-
pectation Of. ever seeing them again. Many
anecdotes were related, which had escaped at
tenton, even in the voluminous reports OF our
papers. He stated that during the thirteen
months occupied in his tour, he travelled be-
tween sarteen and seventeen thousand miles; and
that his health had been greatly improved, IN.
stead of impaired, by the necessary fatigues OF
sucb constant scene Of hustle and activity. Be-
fore ne left home, he had been troubled with a
chronic affection, which had entirely disappear
ed; and his health is as perfect as his happiness
at the result Of his visit. could not but feel
degree of pride and pleasure, that our country
| had in any degree been instrumental IN contri-
buting to the domestic felicity Of such man and
such family, who merit all, and ii possible,
more than all the gratitude and esteem they
have received at our hands
Before retiring TO our chambers 10 dream on
" of La Grange, we examined some OF the
principal rooms Of the hateau, our hospltaoie
friends kindly acting as expositors. The turni-
ture is perfectly neat, and even elegant, but
bears no marks electromagnetic or laxury-no-
thing which is incompatible with rehned taste,
and republican simplicity Of manners--no.
thing which does not conduce more to conve-
nience and comfort than to show; and which
could be compared in point OF richness and
spendor, as the General himself remarked, with
what he had been made master OF IN his tour
through the United States. The ornaments are
nearly all American. In the hall at the head OF
the stairway, and forming the entrance 10 the
drawing-room, is portrait OF General wash
inp,on, with the colors of the irigate Brandy
wine, (presented by Commodore Morris on his
arrival at Havre,) hung in graceful festoons a
round the almost idolized picture. On the
tight of the father of his country, is fine por
trait of Franklin, copied by one of the accom-
plished grand daughtsrs Of General Lafayette.
In conspicuous part Of the hall, stands an add
mirable bust Of President Adams, presented by
Mrs Adams, just before the General lett w ash
inpton To these are added portrait OF Com
modore Morris, (taken by particular request,)
and several pictures connected with the hISto-
nv of our revolution. The retunda, or draw
inc-room, contains, besides other decorations,
a paintine of the siege of Yorktown, and por-
trait of General Wadsworth, the revolutionary
friend of Lafayette.
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, after having been notified, that
the ringing of the Chateau bell would summon
us TO breakfast, at 10 O'Clock the next morning
Our apartments were i'll the same style oil neal
ness ana comfort as the sitting rooms, with
cheerful wood fire blazing upon the hearth, and
carpets covering the polished oaken toor AS
is usual in French houses, furnished With fewer
conveniences than this, each chamber mad
bureau, or writing desk, containing an ample
supply of pen, ink and paper. together with the
other appendages for scrbbling, all under lock
and KEY. The temptations oil such comforts,
the whilstling of the wind round the Gothlc
turrets and antique windows oil the Chateau,
with the delights of the fre-side revere on the
events of the day, induced us 10 protTact our
waking dreams 10 late hour
In the morning grey headed servant, VINO
is almost as old as the master he loves, and from
whom ne, has in,bibed his kindness OF heart, o.
pened the door gently, and performed his office
of reminding the FIRE, with such studied quiet,
as would scarcely disturb the slumber 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 paternal kiss.
Breakfast was served up in large hall ON the
ground floor, in the usual French style, with
wine and coffee after the desert. The table was
crowned with abundance, without supertiulty;
and circle Of smiling faces would have rem
dered less sumptuous repast agreeable. A
mong the rarer dishes, was kind oil pie sent
as delicacy to the General, from some OF his
friends at Strasbourg.
After breakfast was over, we walked out IN
company with Washington Lafayette and the
whole group Of ladies, TO examine the exterior
of the Chateau, and the farm, OF which scarcely
glance had as yet been obtained. La Orange
was formerly fortified baronial castle: and not
hoc