, 1859-07-28
Fourth Of Iu1y In Porls--Letters from
A.A1AyGtte and Da TofaueYilla.

fourth Of tufy In Parls--Letterx from
AalAScate and Dc Toe4ueville.
The Paris correspondent Of the New York
67pfess gives the following account Of the ccle-
bration Of the Fourth in Paris:
The patty was mainly composed Of new ar7i.
sals and Americans soiouruing ouly Temporarily
In fnfis; the various cliques of old residents
te nnd toadses TO the French aristocracy having
tlred so long abroad as to regard the national
anniversary Of their original country as too
fossil like and obsolete to be noticed bv any de-
monstratlon in which French mnrqllses. connts
and barons cannot he trotted ont to advantage
Many Of these pious vessels doubtless kent the
dny IS sort Of Good Friday; fasting, PRAYING.
{pefhaps,) and lamentiug the obtuse be.iayior VI
the colonies in separating from the mother coun-
try; proceeding which forever iebarrcd seyer.
a worthy representatives Of the New World
from now wearing those titles Of nobility which
they would hare 10 cminently deserved and
adorned. However. despite the disadvantage of
various American dukes and princes positively
and indignantly refusing to stretch their pre-
elous legs under tho same mahogany with
mere citizens Of the United States. many
of whom had not even been presented
70 thc Emperor. and wouldn't know tic
Grand Master Of the Imperial Shavips- Brush
from side Of sole leather, the dinner actually
took place, aud the guests ate, drank aud mudc
merry, pretty much as If the aforesaid dukes
and princes had never honored the world by
being born into it! blush to recurd the fact,
but strict veracity compels nc 10 admit that ali
the speeches were to the exclusive glori6catiuu
Of the Great Rcpublic beyond the seas, tic
Grand Master Of the Shaving Brush did not
come in for syllable Of that graceful eulogy
which might have flowed from lips compcttn nj 10
90 Justice to the inspiring theme, had they been
there to speak.
The existing representative of the Lafayette
family ft1t fa1 n13 oar,$ ~ -
give you q translation:
SIR Permit me to thank you for the kind In
v1tation which you hare done me the honor to
address TO me. and to express 10 you nlI my
gratitude for 1his fresh mark Of the thoughtful
HESS Of Americans for tie name Of LafaYettc. a
feeling which is manifested under all circum.
Stances, and is transmitted from generation to
generation. regret deeply that forced ab-
scnce from Paris deprives me Of the pleasure Of
accepting your generous invitation and Of celc-
brat1ng with you the anniversary Of the Fourth
Of July; bat believe me, absent OF present, al
grandson Of the brotf,er,in Of Washing
ton, aud as friend to Liberty. my heart is as
sociated with the celebration Of the great Day,
SO glorious in the past, By the foundation Of
American Independence, and SO glorious in thc
present by the magnificent spectacle offered to
the eyes Of the world, IN the constantly incrcas-
ing Development of the power mud prosperity
Of a free people.
Pray have tue goodness, sir, to express, in my
behalf to the Committee and your countrymen,
ny gratitude aud my profound regret Tint
shall be unable to unite in the so1cmuity of the
Fourth Of July, and accept ut the same time the
assurance Of mg distinguished consideration.
Epxoxn LAFAYETTE.
pAEs, Sunday, July Sd. 1859.
THIS noble and beautiful letter is worthy the
descendant and representative Of the Is brother.
in.nr1ns Of Washington md the feesin. it
brcathcs will be highly apprecia1ed By the great
people whose affection for the memory OF Lafa-
yette is second only to the reverence for the
Father Of lis Country.
Whilst upoh the subject Of American festivals
in Paris, cannot refrain from giving you
copy Of note which was shown me this morn
ing, and which has never believe been pub
lished. II is written in English, aud is from tho
accomplished pen Of the late II. de Tocaueville,
whose recent death and known admiration Of
our country 1mpart q special interest to this
brief reply to m Invitation Of tic Committee.
in 1859, to attend the bull given in honor Of
Waslington's birthday.
Coxr1foxz, Feb. 18th. 1876.
Mr. DxAn Mn. DEckw17u.--Wel have lively
sense Of the kindness Of the Committee, in re-
naenbering us, and in sending us Invitations Ia
the ball to be given by tue Americans on the I'D
Instant.
If tue health Of Madame de Tocquevil'e and
the weather had permitted, VIC would have ac-
cepted the invitation With zeal.
b. SO good, ] pray, as TO express to The Com
mitiee our regrrts and our thanks.
! shall be happy, at all times, to unite in rcn-
de1ng the greatest homage TO the memory Of
your Washington.
There is no grander nase in history; and if
it were permitted me TO choose place among
the great men who hare left eternal memorials,
l would choose, without hesitation, the place OF
Washington; md believe that all who cat, up.
prcciate moral beauty, md who are cnpable Of
becoming cnamored Of it, would compete for
his place
May it please God TO preserve the spirit Of
that grcat man, as well as his works!
Accent, pray you, the expression Of my SEN
timcuts Of high consideration and friendship.
ALEXIS De TocQCEvlLLE.