American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-08-11
LAFAYETTE.

Grange, the residence OF Lafayette.
Paris, january 1926.
Our excursion to La Grange occupied four days.
which will often be recalled and fondly remembered
as among the happlcst OF my life. A knowledge
Of he fact that General Lafayette Is frequently
oyerrun with company, and that he was about to
leave his country residence with his family, 10 pass
the winter in Paris, half induced US to relinquish
the idea Of visiting La Grange for the present; ;
when some Of our friends returned from similar
excursion, bearing to Us most friendly note from
the General, and expressing hope that we would
visit him before going to Italy. Such a kind and
cordial invitation removed all doubts and was
promptly accepted.
On the morning Of the 9th of December, we
took the Diligence for the village OF Rose within
about two miles of which La Grange is situated
forty miles in an easterly direction from Paris. Our
exit from the metropolis was through the Place
Royal, the Place Bastlle, and the Place du Trons
thence by the Barrier, Palace, and Forest Of Vim.
cennes, up the banks of the Nlorne, which is one
Of the largest branches Of the Seine, being nearly
broad and deep the river, in which It loses It's
water and its name. In place ii makes cir
eui,ous OF several mile. round high PENN
sula, which Is only half mile across, and through
which snbterranesn canal has been cut, navigable
for boats. For the first few miles, this route pre-
scented many interesting objects. The Palace Of
Nncennes is large venerable pile, without much
ornamen, and occupied present as state prison.
Several events of some interest TO the traveller have
:ranspired within its walls Here the two great
princes Of Condo were imprisoned for years and
here Charles " Cardinal Magazine, and Henry v.
of England expired. The forest Of Vincennes
covers large tract consisting OF small growth Of
nau al woods through which roads and yistas open
in all directions.
At the distance Of eight or ten miles from Paris,
the rnad becomes dull LEADING throuuh an ap
raj country not remarkable for its fertility and stud.
ded with little villages, which add nothing to its
Beauty Midway III the journey, the Diligence
stopped at small inn for breakfast or dinner, call
it which you will, the bill Of fare is generally
much The same, not even excepting soup On the
plate from which took my mutton chop, was
represen alton OF General Lafayette on horseback
IN the attitude of stotming fortress, with the fol-
lowing inscription
I'll Glance le premier dams la Redoutte"
Al table at the opposite side oil the 70 m sat
8rouPe Of three ladies and gentleman. whose faces
dresses, and genteel manners attracted aten
lion, and who were, as II was subsequently
tanned, patt OF General Laayette's family goine
70 town TO attend the exanlnau OF a school Blu,
this not the last Of the curious incidents which
occurred at the hotel A gentleman rode with US
from Paris TO this place, 10 the department oil
The Diligence, Without word passing between us
he takirg for Engishmen, and we suppasng
from his complexion that he was Portuguese OF
S9dniatd lie turned out TO be Il, utenant in tie
Intsd States Army, who Yves gong 10 l.a Grange
IN The SAINT slratd With ourselves.
We reached the village Of Rose al S O'Clock in
the evening" and that no unnecessary claims might |
be made 10 the hospitality Of General Lafayette or |
his family subjected to any inconvenience we dned
al the hotel, before taking carriage and setting out
for La Grange. On arriving at the Chateau, The
General gave Us warm reception. and resented
Us 10 his numerous and interesting family, consist
Ing OF a son. Two daughters and twelve grand
children with beautiful and accomplished daueh |
ter OF Count Segur. together with two or three 9th
er inmates making in all circle OF something more
than twenty. Simplicity polltsness. and afTability
81 manners, genuine kindness OF Leart, and unaf +
feeted hospitality characterize the whole group, |
srom the patriarch himself down TO the youngest Of I
his descendants They need only the American
name-a claim OF nativity in the land Of Washing.
ton and Franklin-to CAL 10th all the warmth and |
generosity OF their feelings making the stranger at
once al home, and treating him with the cordiality |
Of friend or brother. The only essnesS which /
the vsitant experiences, arises from tear that The
Ptoyerbia politeness of the French, accompanied !
with all The enthusiasm of feeling, will subject the
family to inconveniences on his account and lead /
hem TO do too much o7 his happiness.
lie evening glded away deli n fully and al |
most mperceptioy, in the midst Of coavers alton |
90 variety Of TOPICS chiefly relating 70 our couu-
Try; for the whole family talk, and seem to think
OF nothing else than the United States where their
feelings, their hopes, and wishes all centre. The I
General CONSIDERS himself emphatcaliy citizen
OF The Ameilcan Republic, AID Familiarity speak,
OF u precisely IN the sane way, as il he had been
there born and educated. He receives a great
number OF American newspapers, reviews, and 9th
er publications, and regularly corresponds with
many OF his friends 10 every part of The Union.
ihese various sources Of Information, perosed
with .he utmost aitehtion added 10 the astonishing
accuracy Of his observations and recollectons Of
circumstances connected with his tour, render him
better acquainted with The condition Of our country.