new world. Such is the man, who is at this moment an object of the greatest curiosity and admiration of the American people-and whose arrival on our shores is a sort of national jubilee.

Lafayette is particularly remarkable for the unaffected simplicity of his manners. He was distinguished for his want of pride, his distaste for great parade, when he was among us he still preserves the same noble trait in his character. As one striking evidence of it, he declined the honor, awarded to no other man-of embarking on board a ship of the line, especially to be despatched for him, by the unanimous voice of both houses of Congress.

Lafayette is as much distinguished for his amiable and affectionate temper, as for his respect to the liberties of man. His heart melts with generous emotions, as well as that of the humblest and most undistinguished of men. The Americans are particularly dear to him. He is always accessible to them-his eye kindles whenever he talks of America. "Why cannot you come to live among us—and lay your bones among a people, who owe you so much, and whose latest descendants will venerate your ashes?" Lafayette pointed to his grandchildren around him he made no other reply. They were among the strongties which bound him to France. He could not make up his mind to break them.

"You are now in America," said he to an intelligent Virginian, from whom we have had the anecdote."America ?” "Yes, this room is what I call America." His guest looked around him, and beheld scattered every where, the tokens of his country-maps of the different states-the portraits of our distinguished men, of Washington, Franklin, Henry, &c.--American books-the electrical machine, with which the great Franklin had made so many experiments, and which he had given as a mark of his respect to this noble Frenchman.

Among other curiosities, was a sword, remarkable for singular incidents. Of all the worldly goods, which Lafayette most valued, was this sword. Fearful of its be

ing snatched from his possession, by some of the allied troops, who were then around Paris, he had deposited it in the safe keeping of Mr. Jackson, the American charge des Affaires in Paris. This sword had been presented to Lafayette by the American Congress. It bore upon it the emblems of our nation. Upon the destruction of the Bastile, the first key of this tremendous edifice was sent, at the instance of Lafayette, as a present to Washington. The second key was melted into this sword, thus uniting, in the same object, the memorials of the struggles of two great nations, the one then commencing its revolution, the other having achieved it.

It was owing to the intercession of Washington, that Lafayette was delivered from the dungeon of Ölmutz.— When he was restored to Paris, the commissary of the deposit delivered him into the hands of the American consul, who was called upon for a receipt of the illustrious prisoner.

Such was the treatment of a man, who is an ornament to human nature-and of whom America is proud to make "A nation's guest."

Those who are desirous of taking a nearer view of Lafayette's domestic relations, may consult with advantage Lady Morgan's France. Those who wish to study his political character, must go to the annals of two great nations-and they will there see Lafayette's name. enrolled in the brightest colors-always noble in his views, pure in his means, the friend of liberty and of man.

TOUR OF LAFAYETTE.

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PERHAPS the annals of greatness do not furnish an example of magnanimity, equal to that of the immortal patriot who forms the subject of the present work. Early in life he caught the holy inspiration of freedom; and the spring-time of his years" was devoted to the hallowed purpose of erecting, in this western hemisphere, an altar, amidst “darkness and doubt," to the genius of republicanism :-a monument consecrated to liberty, which, to use his own language, "might serve as a lesson to the oppressor, an example to the oppressed."

"Reared in the lap of unlimited luxury, surrounded by every thing conducive to physical happiness, how can we appreciate the sincerity and ardour of that attachment to the rights of man, which stimulated him under such circumstances, to sacrifice at the shrine of Independence!-Upon this heroic career, he entered at an age when all that is liberal in the human character commences its developement-when the germs of generosity, untouched by the cankerworms of avarice or ambition begin to unfold and expand-when sympathy for the enslaved, and abhorrence of tyranny in its hideous varicty of forms, exhibit their first blessed fruits in all virtuous minds. This glorious example of disinterested patriotism, demands the boundless gratitude of Americans; and will forever remain a soul-animating theme for the contemplation of future statesmen and philanthropists.";

Although it is forty years since the venerable hero sat his foot upon our shores, he has never ceased to take a deep interest in whatever related to the welfare of the United States. In answer to a letter, addressed to him by Mr. Brannan, of Washington, in 1823, who had presented him" a copy of his compilation of official military and naval letters, written during the late war with Great Britain," he thus writes:

"DEAR SIR.-No present could be more acceptable to me, no pleasure in reading could be greater, than that for which I am under obligations to you. Accept my

best thanks in general for the book which retraces glorious perils and patriotic names, in the late American War, and also for the justice you have done to the warm interest of an old American citizen and soldier, in those honorable transactions. Most deeply and affectionately, indeed, I have felt for the worthy sons of my companions in arms, and for the country of which it is my proud, happy lot, to be an adopted son. Be pleased to present your respected father with assurances of my brotherly attachment, sensible as I am of the mutual gratification we should both find in remembering together our revolutionary campaigns.*

But

"A visit to the United States, which I may be allowed to take, once moret [before] going home, would be to me a source of inexpressible delight. It is true, most, of the friends of my youth, the partners in common feelings and exertions with our paternal Chief, are no more. several are still living, and I have been blessed with the most flattering testimonials that ensuing generations have not forgotten me. How happy should I be in sight of that eminent freedom, prosperity, domestic comfort, and

*The pistols presented by the Marquis LAFAYETTE to Gen. WASHINGTON, and worn by the latter during the most of our Revolutionary War, were, on the anniversary of the New Orleans victory, presented by WM. ROBINSON, Esq. of Virginia, through Col. MERCER, to Gen. JACKSON.

It is presumed that the word before was omitted in the original letter, and supplied by the printer.

all the advantages of true civilization and extensive felicity, which, placing the United States above ancient and modern societies, seem to stand as a compensation for the disappointments we have had to deplore in Europe.

During the session of the 18th Congress, that body unanimously passed a resolution inviting him to the United States, and offered a national vessel for his conveyance to our shores. But he modestly declined the offer, prefering to embark in a private 'vessel. It being well understood that the General would arrange his affairs in France in season to visit the United States during the summer of 1824-the Mayor of the city of Boston, by direction of the city council, addressed Lafayette the following letter:

United States of America.

BOSTON, 20th March, 1824. SIR-Your intention to visit the United States has been made known to its citizens by the proceedings of their national legislature. The city of Boston shares in the universal pleasure which the expectation of so interesting an event has diffused. But it has causes of satisfaction peculiarly its own. Many of its inhabitants recollect, and all have heard of your former residence in this metropolis, of the delight with which you were here greeted on your second visit to this country; and of the acclamations of a grateful multitude, which attended you, when sailing from this harbour on your last departure from the United States; and also of that act of munificence, by which, in latter times you extended the hand of relief, in their distress.

These circumstances have impressed upon the inhabitants of this city, a vivid recollection of your person, and a peculiar interest in your character, endearing you to their remembrance by sentiments of personal gratitude, as well as by that sense of national obligation with which the citizens of the United States are universally penetrated.

With feelings of this kind, the City Council of Boston,