Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-01
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mirahcau and Lafayette

| tNeci NlIdDCdu ulu tllc tOulll de al
Marck, during the years 17so-'90-'91,
have recently been published in Paris, in
which we find some sketches of more than
ordinary interest
The acquaintance between Nj. dc la
Marck and Mirabeau began in 17SS, at a
dinner given by the Prince dc Polk, the
Governor of Versailles, TO which Mirabcau
was taken by Nj. de Mclhan, a friend OF
Nj. de Ia Marck. The personal appear
ance Of the great orator has been often dcs-
cribcd, but it will bear repeating at the
hands Of bis correspondent:
"He was tall of stature, squarely and
massively built. His head, which exceed
ed the ordinary proportion, was rendered
still larger by and enormous quantity OF
powdered curls. He wore plain coat,
of which the buttons, in colored stone,
were ofexaggcrated dimensions; and the
buckles in his shoes were equally large
His whole toilet, moreover, was remarka-
bic for an cxaggeration of the fashion of
the day, and harmonized i'll with the good
taste Of the people about the court The
ugliness of his features, was increased by
the marks left by the smallpox. His glance
was shroudcd, but his eyes were full of fire.
In wishing to be polite, his demonstrations
were excessive, and his compliments affect
ed and vulgar In word, he possessed
neither the manner nor the language Of the
society in which he found himself, and al
though his birth placed him ON a par with
his host and other guests, it was plain that
he wanted the ease which is acquired in the
grand mondc. During dinner, the conver-
sation was confined chiefly to common
place subjects, which, however, did not
prevent Mirabcau frommakingmany clever
and witty remarks; though he spoilt their
effect by afectation ard exaggerated polite
ness, his failure in this respect being most
conspicuous when he addressed his OBJ
servations To the ladies. Butafter dinner,
when the policy Of the administration was
discussed, ull that appeared ridiculous in
the manner of Mirabcau disappeared in an
instant-nothing then was observable but
the fertility ofh ideas and the justice of
his opinions, and he carried everybody "a
way by the brilhancy and energy with
which he delivered them"
Mirabeau has painted portrait Of him
self less hatteringevcn than this. Il look" 3"
he said,> after surveying his features in the
glass-"look like a tiger who has had the
small pox" NJ. de Chatcaubriand' des-
cription Of him in the Memories d'Gutrc
Tombc," is scarcely less forcible: "Thc
seam, scored by the small pox on his fca-
lures, seemed more ike scars left there by
FIRE. Nature appeared to have moulded
his head for empire or the gibbct, to have
fashioned his arms 10 stranglc nation, or
carry-of'a a woman. When he shook his
name, as he gazcd onthc people, he at once
arrested them; when he raised his paws
and showed his talons he excited them to
fury. In the midst Of the frightful turbu-
lcnce of the National Assembly, have seen
| him III the tribune, sonbre, hdcous and
immoveablc; he reminded me Of the Chaos
of Milton, without form or motion, in the
centre of It's confiIsiou."
Here is portrait Of Lafayettc-not
very hattering, but, we apprchend, in the
main, correct; though it is evident that Nj.
dc Ia Marck had no liking for the man he
describes:
II knew NJ. dc Lafayette some years be-
fore 1889, and almost as soon as he came
out. He lost both his parents when he
was very young, and in l775, at nineteen
years of age, made his first appearance in
the world; with fortune of l2o, 900 livres
IA year. Shortly afterwards he married
ono of the daughters Of the Duke d'Ayen,
and becoming thus allied to the Noaiilcs,
the chief favolitcs Mt court, was surrounded
by the best society, IN the midst of which |
was in the habit Of meeting him. Madame
de Lafayette was person of merit, and
endowed not only with wit, but piety,-
M. dc Lafayette was always occupied in
seeking out what he thought fashionable
(de bon cir in men and things. But not
withstanding this tendency, his own man
ners were awkward; he was very tall,
and lad very red hair; he danced without
grace, rode badly, and was less expert in
bodily exercises than any Of the young
men with whom he lived. At the balls
which were given at Versailles, where the
Queen took great pleasure in dancing in
arragued quadrills, she admitted those who
shonc most at court, and the favor Of en-
tcring them was eagerly sought after. M.
dc Lafayette was admitted on one oc-
casion; but lie acquitted himself SO i'll
that the @ uccn could not forbear laughing
at him, and it may readily be supposed
that the courtiers did not fail to follow her
example. The greater number of the com
panions Of Nj. dc Lafayette had their pa
rents snll living and very little money to
spend. while he, having his fortune at
his own disposal, was able to indulge
in expenses impossible to others. He
had great many horses, and lent them
freely to his friends, kept a good house, and
received gseat deal Of company. The
Duke of Orleans was usually surrounded at
Monccaux by society who were admitted
more for their gaycty than their morality.
1t was the habit there to drink to excess.
This custom became quite the fashion a
mongst the young men; and though not
naturally inclined to it, Nj. dc. Lafayette
would not be behind the rest The most
distinguished fashionable of the day was
the Viscount de Noailles. the brother-in-
law and cousin of Nj. dc Lafayette; he was
tall and well-madc, danced and rode per-
fcctly, was fond OF high play, and was a
frequent winner, drank hard, and was pos
scsscd with the unfortunate desire OF doing
every thing for effect, an inclination which,
during the revolution, led him 10 put him