Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-06-17
The Wife ofLRfayetfe.

The wife of Lafayette.
The following is an extract of letter writ
ten by Lafayette, in the year 1903, after the
death OF his wife, to NJ. Latour Maubourg, trans
lated from one of the last volumes of the Me-
moirs of Lafayette, lately published in France
"During thirty four years ofa union, in whicl,
her tenderness, her goodness, her elevation, her
delicacy, the generosity of her soul, charmed,
embellshed, did honor to my life. I was so ac-
not distinguish her from my own existence.
She was fourteen years old, and | was sixteen
when her heart amnlcamated itself with all
that could interest me. thought loved her,
that could not do without her but it was on
ly when l lost her that was able TO discover
what remains to me for the close of life which
had been so diversified, and for which never
theless there remains no longer either happi.
ness or even content Though she was attach.
ed to me ], may say, by the most passionate sem
tment, | never perceived in her the slightest
shade of authoritativeness (d'erigence) Of dis.
content, never any undertaking. And i'll go
back to the days four youth, find in her, traits
of an unexnmpled delicocy and generosity
You saw her always associated, heart and soul,
in all my sentiments, my political wishes, enjoy
ing every thing which might confer honor on
inc, still more as she would say what made me
| TO be wholly known, and more than all, glori-
| flying in those occasions when she saw me sa-
crifice glory 10 a sentiment Of goodness Her
aunt, Madame Tesse, said to me yesterday, 81
never could have imagined that one could be
such fanatic for your opinions, and yet so free
from party spirit" Indeed, her attachment to
our doctrines never for a moment aba,ed her in
diligence, her compassion her good will for per-
sons for another party. She never was sourcd
by the violent hatred of which was the object;
the lll-treatment AMI injurious conduct towards
me, were regarded by her as follies Indifferent,
to her, from the point from which she looked n,
them, and where her good opinion chose to
place me. Hers was most entire DEVOTION
! may say that during thrty-iour years, never
suffered for moment the shadow of restraint
that all her habits were, without afectation
subordinate to my convenience, that had the
satisfaction TO see my most sceptical friends us
constantly received, as well beloved, as much
esteemed, and their virtues as completely ac
knowledged as if there had been no difference
of religious opinion, that she never expressed
any other sentiment than that of hope, that il
continuing to reflect, with the uprightness o.
heart which she knew belonged to me, sl,oult
finally be convinced. Ii was with this feeling
she left me her last regards, begging me Il
read, for the love of her, some books, which
shall certainly examine again, with new inter
est, and calling her religion, to make me lov,
it better, perfect freedom.
"She often expressed TO me the thought tina
she should go to Heaven, and dare add tha
this idea was not sufficient to reconcile her Il
quitting me. She often said to me, lite is short
full of trouble, may we meet again in God
May we pass eternity together She wishe,
me, she wished us all, the peace of the Lord
Sometimes she was heard praying in her bed
One Other last nights there was something ce
lestial in the manner in which she recited
twice in succession, with firm voice, pas
sage Of scripture applicable to her situation
the same passage which she recited to he
daughter on percciving the spies of Olmutz
Shall lspeak to you of the pleasure ever re
newed, which an entire confidence in her gov
me, which was never exacted, which was re
ceved at the end of three months as at tn
first day, which was justified by a discretion
proofagainst all things, by an admirable under
standing ofal my feelings, my wants and tn
e wishes of my heart. All this was mingle
" with sentiment so tender, and an opinion s
exalted, worship i'll dared SO to speak, s
sweet and Aattering, more especially gratifl
"A ing, as coming from the most perfectly nature
" and sincere person who ever lived"