indulged in, as to the designs of ministers. The ministerial party obtained
but a small majority in favor of the law; and some fermentation was excited
in Paris in relation to this subject. The _liberals_, or the friends of
constitutional freedom, were insulted, and the life of Lafayette was openly
menaced.

This year, a society was formed among the friends of constitutional
freedom, for the relief of those, who were arrested on mere suspicion, or
on a charge of violating the restrictions on the press; but who were
believed to be unjustly suspected, and who had been found entirely
innocent, even in the eye of the law, rigid as were its provisions. This
was a numerous society; consisting of fifty four members of the chamber of
deputies, and many other opulent and literary citizens; at the head of
which we find the name of M. Lafayette.

The distinguished Americans and Englishmen who have visited Lafayette, at
his family mansion of La Grange, describe his residence and its inmates as
most beautiful and interesting. "It is situated in the fertile district of
La Brie, thirty miles from Paris, remote from any common road, and far
distant from the bustling world. In the midst of a luxuriant wilderness,
rising above prolific orchards and antiquated woods, appears the five
towers of La Grange, tinged with the golden rays of the declining sun. The
deep moat, the draw bridge; the ivied tower and arched portals, opening
into a large square court, has a feudal and picturesque character; and the
associations which occur, on entering the residence of a man so heroic, so
disinterested, so celebrated, fill the mind with peculiar admiration, and
excite the most lively interest." The family party, partaking more of
patriarchal than of courtly manners, is composed of individuals mutually
attached, and anxious only for mutual improvement and happiness. It
represents the younger members, as employed in their studies or engaged in