The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-12

She approved she dmired his conduct, she
Identified herself with his sentiments and sus-
tanned herself In the midst Of her dtsunietude
by the thought that he was working for the tr-
umph OF just PRINCIPLES. Tho nrs; evils Of the
Revolution nlled her soul with bitterness. to
the extent OF making her insensibe to al tho
JOY OF her pride in him. She felt nothing but
satisfaction when she saw him often sacrifice
his popularity In order to oppose an irregular
movement or an arbitrary act. She had frankly
adopted aud professed liberal opinions, hut she
preserved a delicacy Of which 1t would be dini-
cult to Indie tie the shade, which prevented her
from becoming party wonln. Her senti-
ments carried her beyond the fear Of being
blamed In certain circles; but she trembled at
the view of the incalculsble issues Of events,
and necessarily implored the mercy OF God,
while externally she led very busy life. She
accepted all the invitations OF the sixty districts
OF Paris to he present AZ the benedict ms Of the
colote, and other patriotic ceremonies. My
father kept an open table. She did tho honors
OF the house IN manner that charmed her
numerous guests; but what she suffered In the
depths OF her heart can he judged only by those
who have heard her speak Of II. She saw my
father at the head OF a revolution, OF which 1t
was impossible to foresee the end Every mis-
fortune, every disorder was judged by her with a
complete absence of any Illusion as to its real
cause. She was. nevertheless, always sustained
by my fathers principles. and 40 convinced Of
The good that he could do, and the evil that he
could prevent, that she endured with incredible
fortitude the continual dangers to which he
was exposed. Never she has said, did she see
him 40 out at this period, without thinking
that she had bidden him adieu for the last time.
No woman was ever more terrified than she by
the pers OF those whom she loved but ut this
time she was ABOVE herself. devoted, like my
father, to the hope OF preventing crime"
ooc of her great tribulattons during these
early stages OF the Revolution, which made her
part, as the wife Of LAFAYETTE, very difficult one,
arose out Of the measure that WIS called the
"clvil constitution of the clergy" She thought
1t her duty, on account OF her personal situation
to mark her Attachment to the Catholic cause.
She was present, therefore, when the curate Of
ST. Sulpice. whose parisniOner she WIS, refused
In his pulpit to take the oath Imposed by the
civil power. She found herself on that occasion
acting with persons known for their sristocracv.
She constantly attended. however, the churc hes
and or tories To which the persecuted CLERGY re-
tired and she received at her house the non
Juring priests, whom she encouraged to exercise
their functions and to reclaim their religious
rights. LAFAYETTE did not restrain his wife In
this assertion OF her religious principles; but IL
cost her great pain to know that her conduct in
this matter injured popularity which It was
very important to reserve. One little anocdote,
told by Nine. de La teyrle. strtkingly illus
trates ner mothers nrmness Of character. She
was in the habit OF receiving at her house all
whom her husbands position led him to invite
to his table, including sometimes the so-calied
constitutional clergy, from whom she never con-
cealed her opinions. one day there came TO
dinner the newly installed bishop OF Paris. He
did not come, however. as a private gentleman,
like his brethren. and Nine de Lafayette
would not receive him IN the quality OF diocesan.
she dined abroad that day, although, says her
daughter. the matter was very much talked
about.
On the 18th Of April 1891 Easter Monday. the
King was prevented by mob from gong to I.
Cloud, where he desired to receive the sacra-
ment At the hands Of the non-iuring cl rgy. In
suite Of the efforts OF Lif iyette. who besought
the King to "a. and VINO was resoonsi, s for the
preservation u the peace and the roval freedom
Of action. tue King refused to set ont. lhe
National Gu I'd had not properly eupporicd
their comm nder on this occasion: aud the
weakness Il the King. adde to me detection
Of the corps, dislustcd Ltf.yette tina, he re
signed his command. 10 esca1s from mpor-
tunities he left MS mouse, and devoved upon his
ufs the reception Of the municipality Aud the
sixty oattilion- VINO cane To urge MIN to with
, raN hi resignation. Among THESE were many
Of the chiefs - oatthi lus whose mi,cond At
h ID IN de the Generals resignation necessary.
Nine. de Lafayette discharg ID tn deltclte duty
with great ct and nrinness. feeling all the
while r'ioicei that her husband had retired To
PRIV ate NJ. But this satisfaction lasted only four
days. At tue end Il that lime, LAFAYETTE yield
ed to the public solicitations and resumed the