The Portland daily press., 1881-11-07
General Lafayette.
A Visit by Lady Sidney Morgan at his
Chateau.

That vivacious and talented Irish woman,
Lady Sidney Morgan, in her "Diary," has Civ
en- delightful account of her visit in 1878 to
General le Marquis Lafayette at his charming
chateau, LAGRANGE. A fine old castle, former
ly possession of the ancient family of the de
Noailles, inherited by the general in right of
lis wife, daughter OF the Due de Noailles
whose life had been shortened by her devotion
in sharing her husbands captivity during his
imprisonment in dungeon at Olmutz, by the
Austrian Government. France. at the time of
Lady Morgan's visit was enjoying a season of
comparative repose. The terrible agitation of
ths Revolution had subsidized Napoleon was at
st. Helena. Louis XVIII. was king, and
though considerable dissatisfaction was even
then openly manifested with his administration
there was. as yet, surface order and quiet 1t
was a Temporary lullsonly. The dashing Lady
Morgan was making prolonged stay in Paris
previous to tour in Italy. She was then still
young, brilliant and in the heyday of populari-
ty as gay and witty writer. She was receiv-
ed with considerable eclat in the French capi-
tai, and was feted and dined in profusion.
La GRANGE
was about forty miles from Paris and easily
reached from the capital. In his pastoral re-
treat the Yorktown hero was passing tranquil
retirement, from which he was to be called
away by subsequent events. Here, surrounded
by children and grandchildren, he presented
noble picture of patriarohal vigor, blending the
chastened serenity and wisdom OF age with the
fire and generous ardor of youth, and welcomed
with Ibenignant grace the wits, scholars, artists,
patriots, men of the world and the host OF ad-
niring Americans who beseiged his hospltabie
mansion. eve arrived at sunset last evening",
writes Lady Morgan, "and the old tower, COW
cred with ivy plant by Charles Fox, shone out
in strong relief from the dark woods behind;
but the brightest of all sunshine was the dear
Lafayette's own noble countenance, beamlng
with smiles and cordiality, as he stood at the
castle gate to receive u.s. surrounded Dy MS
children and grandchildren, and other mem
bers of his family. What a joyous reception!
There were also some strangers whom had
not seen before. Auguste Thierry, the most
promising lttterateur of the day; AIRY Schetfer,
young, but already celebrated artist; Carbon
ell, the most delightful composer that France
has yet had, and others. We had scarcely fin
ished our toiletwhen the sound of the well re-
membered tocsn summoned us to the evening
repast. The whole family of three generations
were assembled in the fine old dining hall. the
stone hall with its groined roof, and at a table
where every one dropped into his own place,
the strangers taking theirs under the directions
of the ladies who did the honors, Madame
George Lafayette (wife of George Washington
Lafayette, only son OF the Msrquis) and Mad
anne Lasty.ie. By the by, the company at La
Grange was seldom less than from twenty to
thirty guests the venerable chief occupying
the center of the table between his two young
est grandchildren. Gayety and contentment
were upon every countenance. We found the
general younger looking by dozen years, and
another grandohild, making twelve in addition
to the family. The dear children were much
grown since parted from them at the same
table in 1916. Their charming education and
perhaps also their fine original natures, pre-
vented them from being importunate or troub-
leseme, and not one entant terrible was to be
found among them. Before breakfast / find
all the young people at their easels painting
from models in the anteroom; then they 60 to
their music; then they all turn out into the
beautiful park for two hours and then resume
their studies for two kours more l never saw
such happy children; they live without re-
straint, and, except while at their lessons, al
ways with the grown people. If the little ones
are noisy, they are sent into the anteroom; but
their gentleness and goodness are astonishing,
considering, too that eleven of the twelve are
always with us. Oscar and Octavie, a little boy
and girl of 3 and years old, are great friends
of mine. The eldest boy, Jules, 10 years old,
has really sort of galantry for the little girls,
besides being my professed lover Every
morning before / am up he has nosegay ready
for me, which he lays on my breakfast plate
and then another when go to dress for din.
ner. Nothing amuses me moro than to see
them conyersing, with all their little airs and
graces, and not the least noisy. Since /
came to the house never heard the cry of
a child, nor have seen the symptoms of dis
pute."
'sAfter the departure of the children con-
tinues Lady Morgan, "who made the most
graceful little salutes, we fell to DISCOURSE
Diary-La Grange-A wintry evening kept
us in the salon after coffee. The general n
tered. The next moment half a forest blazed
on the cavernou5 hearth, kindling the dead
white ashes of former times where more than
one Duchesse de Noaiiles may have warmed
terday we accompanied Lafayette on ramble
through his farms. AS we passed L paused to
look through the open gates of the court at the
fine old chateau.
''These are dangerous fragments, VI said, s'of
olden times. They almost make one in love
with feudality:. What beautiful heritage for
your children"
COURT GOSSIP.
Gas thought the general limpei little,
proposed, as we reached the extremity OF the
qrdnd peLouSe that commands such beautiful
view of the chateau and its five towers, that
we should sit down to enjoy the scene on one
of the many wooden benches with which the
grounds abound. The shade of two
fine trees offered us repose and shelter from the
sun, and, above all, one of those charming
talks with the general, to which he unsuspect-
ingy lent himself. In those low, slow,
modulated tones, which gave to everything
he said such emphasis, he answered our ques-
tions by replies that might almost be called
historical.
"Is it true, General" asked, "that you once
went to a bal masque at the opera with the