piqued at the flattering accounts of the rising glory of America by other writers, determined to apply his sagacity to their delusions, and "reduce their exaggerated and glowing descriptions to the standard of common sense." While he was in Philadelphia Stuart painted his portrait. He had a peculiarly French physiognomy, with high forehead, blue eyes, small mouth, invariably a querulous and sneering expression, and was tall, straight, and well formed. He asked Washington (of whose abilities. he says, "they would not have raised him above the rank of colonel in the French service,") to give him letters of introduction, to be used on his excursions through the states, and the Chief wrote, "C. Volney needs no recommendation from George Washington." Of Erick Bollmann John Adams wrote to his daughter, in 1796, "Dr. Bollmann has called on me, and, with an extravagant character for knowledge and capacity, he appears to be an adventurer, with little judgment or solidity." Hamilton says of him in a letter to Washington, after alluding to his attempt to liberate Lafayette, "He appears to have been induced to think that he attempted a service which would strongly recommend him to the favor of this country, and as a consequence of it he hopes for some civil employment under our government. He seems to be a man of education, speaks several languages, converses sensibly, is of polite manners, and I dare say has the materials of future advancement." Kosciusko, and his young friend and countryman the poet Niemcewicz, came to this country about the period of the end of Washington's administration. The Duke de Liancourt saw them at the house of General Gates. "Simple and modest," says the duke, "Kosciusko even shed tears of gratitude, and seems astonished at the homage he receives. He sees a brother in every man who is the friend of liberty. Elevation of sentiment, grandeur, sweetness, force, goodness, all that commands respect and honor, appear to me to be concentrated in this celebrated and interesting victim of misfortune and despotism. And Niemcewicz is, from his noble sentiments, the agreeableness of his manners, and the extent of his knowledge, a person peculiarly interesting." IV. No circumstances during his entire administration caused Washington more painful anxiety than the imprisonment of Lafayette, for whom he felt a most fraternal affection and the sincerest respect. With Prussia and Austria, in which countries his friend was successively a prisoner, the United States had then no diplomatic intercourse, and it was not possible therefore for the President to exercise in his behalf any more than a personal influence, and this was found altogether unavailing. When, in 1795, the wife and daughters of Lafayette left France to join him at Olmutz, his son, George Washington Lafayette, came to America, where he remained nearly two years. With his tutor, M. Frestel, he arrived in Philadelphia in April, 1796, and the President immediately afterward invited a few friends to meet them at dinner. One of these, Mr. Adams, availed himself of the opportunity to request them to come with Mr. Lear the next morning and breakfast with him. Washington heard of the invitation, in the evening, and sent Mr. Lear to advise with the Vice President whether it would be proper for the youth, in the existing circumstances of his father, mother, and whole family, to mingle in society; and he was excused. It was, perhaps, because a delicate sense of propriety induced him to withdraw his ward as much as possible from an unbecoming publicity, that the democratic journals assailed him with the calumny of inhospitality toward the son of one to whom the nation was so greatly indebted. Mr. Richard Rush relates a very interesting incident illustrative of the feelings of Washington in regard to the misfortunes of his old companion in arms. Mr. Bradford lived on the opposite side of the street, next to Dr. Binney's, and the two families were united by an affectionate intimacy. One evening when he happened to be at the President's, and no one else was there except the family circle, consisting of the General and Mrs. Washington, one of the private secretaries, and young Custis and his sisters, the conversation reverted to the prisoner at Olmutz, and the Chief contrasted his present unhappy circumstances with his former splendid career, dwelling upon his sufferings until the warmth of their ancient friendship was reawakened, and he became deeply affected, his eyes suffused, his noble features discomposed, and his whole nature shaken. Mr. Bradford saw it; "and what a spectacle," says Mr. Rush, "to be witnessed by a man whose own bosom was open to the heavings of patriotism and every other generous impulse! If the great Condé, at the representation of one of Corneille's tragedies, shed tears at the part where Cæsar is made to utter a fine sentiment, what was that, in its power to stir the soul, though Voltaire has so emblazoned it, to tears shed by Washington over the real woes of Lafayette! Washington, a nation's founder, and Lafayette, his heroic friend, who had crossed an ocean to fight the battles of liberty by his side! Magnanimous tears they were, fit for the first of heroes to have shed! virtuous, honorable, sanctified!” Returning to his own house, profoundly moved by the scene he had just witnessed, Mr. Bradford sat down and wrote the following simple but touching verses, an impromptu effusion from the heart of a man of sensibility and genius : THE LAMENT OF WASHINGTON. As beside his cheerful fire, 'Midst his happy family, Sat a venerable sire, Tears were starting in his eye; Selfish blessings were forgot, Whilst he thought on Fayette's lot. Once so happy on our plains- "Fayette," cried he— “honored name! Dear to these far distant shores- "Soldiers, in our fields of death Was not Fayette foremost there? What, but poverty and chains! Hapless Fayette! 'midst thine error. How my soul thy worth reveres! What reward for all remains, "Born to honors, ease, and wealth, See him sacrifice them all; Sacrificing also health, At his country's glorious call. What for thee, my friend, remains, What, but poverty and chains! “Thus, with laurels on his brow, Alas! Fayette at once sustains, Courage, child of Washington! Rise and burn with brighter beams. And take thee to her arms again. Thy country soon shall break thy chain, |