the latter. Lafayette failed, therefore, in his patriotic views; not as
Bonaparte is said to have insinuated, because he aimed at what was
impracticable; but because those whose interest it was to second his views,
did not support him. A ruined throne and desolate country subsequently
attested the purity of his principles, and the soundness of his judgment."

General Lafayette is of the _Catholic_ religion, which has been long
established, and is still generally professed, in France. But he discovers
nothing of that exclusive and intolerant spirit which has distinguished the
church of Rome, more especially in ages past. He took an active part in
favor of the proposition, in 1789, for securing the rights of conscience
and the privileges of worship to the protestants of France, according to,
their own particular belief. It was not to be supposed that one of his
enlightened views, and knowledge of human nature, would be a bigot in
religion; or would attach undue importance to the external forms and the
mere ceremonies of worship. He is not, however, to be classed with many
learned men in Roman Catholic countries, in modern times, who merely
_profess_ the papal system because it is the religion of the state, while
they are real infidels; or skeptical as to the essential doctrines of
christianity. It is not improbable that his intercourse with liberal and
candid yet pious men is America, in his early years, served to produce in
his mind charitable sentiments toward those who were educated in a system
differing somewhat from that which he had been taught to revere, in its
ceremonies and even in some of its dogmas. He was several years intimately
acquainted with Washington, Lincoln and other military characters, who were
men of sincere, though of unostentatious piety; as well as with many of the
clergy of our country, whom he could not but esteem and respect; and the
natural effect of such intercourse would be a liberality of opinion on
religious subjects. It is, indeed, a consideration, creditable, in some
measure, to those who admit it, and tending also to prove that christianity