The Placer herald., 1867-06-08
Mrs. Lafayette, Wife Of Gen. lafayette.
BY MRS. CHILD.

When Lafayette was imprisoned at Oh.
mutz, in 1898, by the Austrian government,
be was. informed that be would never again
see anything but the four walls Of bis cell.
Even the jailors were forbidden to mention
bis name, and in the government dispatches
be was signlfied merely by number. No
vieitors could gain access to him; no news.
papers we're allowed; and it was impossible
for him to gain the least information con-
cerning the fate Of bis family.
His wife, for long time uncertain Of bis
existence, was immured in the prisons Of
Paris. daily expecting to be led to the scaf'
fold, where the greater part Of her family
bad already suffered. During this alarming
crisis, she spent much Of her time in prayer.
The death Of Robespierre saved her; but
she did not regain her liberty for some time
after. The first use she made Of her free
dom was to set of for Vienna with an
American passport, and under a feigned
name. Here she succeeded 10 exciting the
compassion of the Prince de Rosenberg, by
whose means she obtained an audience with
the Emperor She pleaded strongly for the
release of ber husband on the grounds Of
common justice and humanity, urged her
strong desire to see him restored to his
family. The Emperor said it was out OF bis
power to grant her request. but be was will
ling she and her two daughters (then about
twelve and fifteen years Of age) sh ould en-
liven the prison by taking up their abode
with him. This indulgence was greatfu'Iy
accepted, and the long separated friends were
restored to each other.
Madame Lafayette was deeply affected
at the emacated figure and pale counten-
ance OF her husband. She found him suffer-
ing under aunoyances much worse than she
bad feared.
She wished to write to the Emperor: but
this was refused. She made applications
for redress in other quarters, but received
20 answer except, MADAME lafayette has
submitted to share the captivity of her bust
band 1t is her own choice"
At length her health, already impaired by
sixteen mouths imprisonment in Paris, began
to give way. She solicited permission to
90 to Vienna, to breathe pure air and con-
suit physician. During two months she
received no reply; but, at last, she was i'm
formed that the Emperor permitted her to
go out, upon condition that she never re-.
turned to the prison.
Being desired to signify her choice in writ
ing, she wrote as follows:
| II considered it duty to my family and
friends 10 desire The assistance necessary for
my health, but they we'll know it cannot be
, accepted by me at the price attached to it.
cannot forget that while we we're on the
eve of perishing, myself by the tyranny Of
| Dol 1,,:o.ro onJ mr. huo hand hv Tho ,>hve;
cal aud moral sufferings of captivity. l
was not permitted to obtain any intelligence
Of him, nor to acquaint him that his chill
dren and myself we're yet alive; and shall
not expose myself to the horrors Of another
separation. Whatever then may be the
state Of my health, and the Inconvenience
of this abode for my daughters, we will
greatfully avail ourselves of bis Imperial
Msjesty's generosity in permitting US to
partake this captivity 10 all its circum-
stances"
After this, Madame Lafayette, fearful Of
being separated from her husband, refrained
from making any complaint; although the
air Of The prison was so feted that the SOL
diers, who brought food, covered their faces
when they opened the door.
| 1u6 0XColltuL Wau, " WuOIu our COuutTy
owes so much, continued at Olmutz four
years.
The unsuccessful efforts to effect his e.
cape made by Henry Bollman, young Gen
man. and Francis Huger, South Carolini
an, both brothers, (whose father had fir st re.
ceived Lafayette when be came to the United
States,) are too universally known to be re
peated here. Joseph RUSSELL Esq., of Bos-
ton, was in Paris during the reign Of Robes
pierre, and by bis aid the son, George
Washington Lafayette, came to America,
where be remained till bis family were in
safety.
After much equivocation and delay, the
Intervention of General Bonaparte released
the prisoners from Austrian power. La
fayette resided in Hamburg and Holstein for
a time, and then returned to France, after
40 absence of eight years.
His wife belonged to the noble family Of
Noailles. Her character was patient, gen.
tie, affectionate; and she was, Of course, much
beloved by her husband and children.
During her various imprisonments sur
rounded by an accumulation Of horrors, her
health received shock from which it new
or recovered. She died in 1908.
EXPENSIVE Observation-Disclosures and
taxation, cause and effect, says the Mountain
Democrat, are expensive uxuries. They 60
hand n hand; they are inseparabe; they are
eating out the substance Of the people aud
| -, oL;r~ olovaa of Tho iohor;nr oloeaoo Tho