when Madame de ia Fayette, unable to bear her separation from him, determined to make an effort for his liberty, or to share his fate, and set out for Germany, with her young and lovely children. At the feet of the emperor she implored his majesty to release her husband, or to allow her to participate in his confinement. Her first request was coldly refused; she was, however, permitted to visit her husband. From that time, for several years, she never left him, herself and daughters sharing with him every inconvenience and misery! The damps of his prison hurt the health of Madame, and she had never entirely recovered from their baneful effects. Buonaparte, to his honour it must be recorded, interposed as soon as he had power effectually to do so, and insisted on the liberation of M. de la Fayette. Accordingly, at the period of which I write (1802), he had not long arrived in France, having come by way of Holland, with his virtuous and excellent family, the partners of his captivity, and soothers of his sorrows.

"The chateau and estate of La Grange, which Madame, who was an heiress, had brought him, was all that remained of his fortunes; he had lost every thing besides, in the madness of revolutionary confis cation, and had not yet been able to procure restitution or compensation. To add to the interest of the scene, General Fitzpatrick, who had known M. de la Fayette in America, and had vainly attempted in the English House of Commons to rouse the Pitt ministry to a sense of humanity and commiseration for M. de la Fayette, joined the party at La Grange. That accomplished man was an addition to it of the most pleasing nature, and he was received most affectionately by the

family. I have often contemplated with pleasure, General Fitzpatrick and M. de la Fayette walking in a long shady grove near the chateau, speaking of past times, the war in America, and the revolution ip France. The rare sight of three such men as Fox, Fayette, and Fitzpatrick, was grateful to any one who felt rightly, and valued men for their services to humanity, rather than for successful ambition. Lally Tollendal also, whose father had, under the old regime, suffered so severe a fate, was at La Grange, an open, honest, and agreeable man; telling a great number of anecdotes, relating to the revolution, with point and energy, and resembling the Irish in his good-humoured and unstudied manners; anxious to contribute to the pleasure of M. de la Fayette's guests, and pointing out every thing agreeable to English customs and habits. In the evenings, he read extracts from Shakespeare, translated by himself into French, with an almost stentorian voice, and much effect. A few of M. de la Fayette's country neighbours were also occasionally invited; his table was plentiful, and our evenings diversified by conversation, chess, or some other game, as was most agreeable. Madame was extremely pleasing in conversation, and narrated her adventures and sufferings in Germany, with great vivacity and ease.

"The chateau itself was ancient, and simply furnished; the library, at the top of one of the towers, a circular room, with a commanding view from its windows, was adorned by the busts of Washington, Franklin, and other distinguished American patriots, as well as by those of Frenchmen of genius in modern times. The wood, which adjoined the chateau, was a beautiful one, divided in the old style by long

green

green alleys, intersecting one another, admirably adapted for a studious walk, or for reading remote from noise. Here was a place to enjoy the sublime and eloquent writings of Rousseau; and here I was happy to lose all thought of Paris and the world, filled with the grateful sensation, that I was the guest of a man so excellent as La Fayette. I often, too, had the satisfaction of conversing with him, as he was so unaffected and raild, that I had no difficulty in addressing him: he talked of Ireland, and Sir Edward Haversham; and inquired very much concerning the ancient Wolf Dog, one of which race (extinct I believe in France) he desired much to procure. All his sentiments were noble, and his mind was animated with a true feeling for liberty. He spoke a good deal of America, and told me, that so great was the jealousy of the Americans against foreign troops, that he was obliged to consent to reduce the number stipulated for, though he afterwards negociated for more at home, to make the aid effectual! Worthy and respectable man! If I have seen you for the last time, my wishes for your repose, and my gratitude, shall ever be alive. I shall ever dwell on your name with reverence and affection; and those delightful days I spent at La Grange, shall remain consecrated in my memory, as among the most fortunate and pleasing of my life.

"The political career of M. de la Fayette had not, it is true, the same happy result in France as in America; but it is to be considered, that his situation in the former was ar

duous beyond measure. A friend to a limited monarchy, and to the Jegitimate rights of the people, at a time when the support of one was deemed hostility to the other, he

1811.

found it impossible, consistent with his principles, to fall into the mania of the nation. A king of integrity and firmness, with La Fayette as his counsellor, might have been safe, even in the tumultuous times preceding the seizure of the commonwealth by sanguinary demagogues; but Louis, it is to be feared, wanted both these qualities, certainly the latter! La Fayette failed, therefore, in his patriotic views, not, as the first Consul is said to have insinuated, because he attempted what was impracticable; but because those whose interest it was to second his views, and whose happiness would have been insured by them, did not support him. A ruined throne, and desolated coun. try, subsequently attested the pu rity of his principles, and the soundness of his judgment.

M. de la Fayette had begun to devote himself much to agricultural pursuits, (the happiest occupation of man!) and had entirely withdrawn himself from political affairs. His house and family were excellently well regulated; each had their own employment; till dinner, every guest was left quite free to follow his studies; to walk and explore the country; to write; to act as he pleased:dinuer reassembled every one; and the hours flew swiftly past. Mr. Fox was very happy at La Grange; every thing suited his taste there, and he had, besides, the gratification of seeing his friend, after a life of dangers, and years of captivity, sheltered, at length, on the moderate estate of La Grange-having all his family around him, and conscientiously satisfied that he had done every thing for his country that his powers and opportunities had allowed.

"His garden, which was large, but had been neglected, also occuD

pied

trampled the people and elbowed the sovereign---had distinguished his ministry! He was departing as he had lived, the unsbaken friend of all the just rights of man---no calumny had deterred---no weak fears had ever prevented him from defending them. What was to disturb the last hours of such a man?

"General Fitzpatrick, whose constant attention spoke the true and unchanged friend, to the last moment of Mr. Fox's life: Lord Holland, whose affectionate attentions were those of a son; and Miss Fox, who to all the amiability of her sex joined the superior and philosophic mind of her uncle. Lord Robert Spencer, sincere and affectionate, and enlivening to his departing friend---Mrs. Fox, of whose unwea ried and almost heroic exertions--of whose tender heart, which throbbed in unison with his, and vibrated at every pang be felt, who never left his bed-side, but to snatch a little repose to enable her to renew her cares, and of whom the pen which writes cannot describe the excellence, the duty, and attachment manifested in the awful moments preceding Mr. Fox's dissoiution---myself---not more than beginning to discover all the brightness and beauty of his character, but anxious to pay debis of gratitude and affection --now, were the only persons admitted to his apartmens--friendship, and all its endearing offices, was what Mr. Fox above ali men was entitled to, at this afflicting period. His whole life had been remarkable for his Constancy, and warmth of attachment to those he selected as his friends; the late Duke of Devonshire, as well as the Duchess Dowager, were most unremitting and kind in every care and attention, that a noble hospitality, and sin

cere affection, could bestow. The Duke, whose friendship was warm for Mr. Fox, was among the last who were admitted to see him.

"London and Chiswick House now presented most strongly-contrasted scenes; a new ministry was raising its head in the metropolis, of which Lords Grenville and Grey were the leaders. I do not know that Mr. Fox's opinion was ever taken upon the formation of another ministry, and of its future measures; and I fully incline to think that it was not. The dispatches had long ceased to be laid before him, and the last political news intimated to him, was the refusal of Alexander to ratify the treaty concluded at Paris by his minister. As his disorder had become entirely confirmed, and little or no hope existed of his recovery, the cabinet ceased to look to him for advice; and, before his great mind was ba rassed by the second inroad made by the disorder, they seemed to hold his retreat to Chiswick as a virtual resignation of office.

"Lord Grenville never came there; Lord Grey, I think, rarely. As the world was receding from the view of the illustrious character who had given the ministry all its lustre, I contemplated with calm indifference the busy movements of men, and inwardly smiled at the sanguine, and I may say, presumptuous ideas of those, who thought that a ministry, in opposition to a tory party, without Fox, could maintain a strong position between the court and the people; above all, who imagined that on the rupture of the negociation, success would follow the revival of the old planś upon the continent. I knew how very grand and original were Mr Fox's ideas, in case of the continuation of hostilities, and I expected

not