Everything I know? Oh dear. I’d have to write a book, I’m afraid. Instead, I’ll give you 10 tips on fun ways to celebrate his birthday.
- No food is not an option. Lafayette was never one to shy away from a meal. Many of his funniest anecdotes revolve around food (the time he begged the American officers not to eat him for dinner, the time he showed up at what was to be his American HQ and started eating and his host thought him incredibly rude to start without the Marquis…who she was convinced was not him because he was too young). If you’re feeling especially accurate, include ham in your meal planning. Washington gifted Lafayette some of his Virginian ham after the Frenchman had returned to his native country and Laf was always excited to receive it. If ham’s not an option, any American food will do. The Lafayette family often served American dishes to their guests…to the disappointment of those hoping to experience a little French cuisine.
- Feel free to get turnt up. Drinking was a normal aspect of 18th century dining, but Laf was no stranger to excess. He drank ale when other options weren’t available, but most of the time he seems to have preferred wine (especially Madeira while in America because it was available and Washington’s favorite…but it’s incredibly hard to track down). He and his entourage drank Jefferson’s wine cellar practically dry during his 1824-1825 tour of the U.S. Laf also believed copious amounts of wine was good for his health–or, that was his excuse anyway. If you’re of legal drinking age…go for it.
- Dance! Laf, as we all know, had two left feet according to his acquaintances in France. But in the U.S., no one seems to have noticed! As far as I’ve read, Lafayette wasn’t bad at all in the minds of the Americans who hosted the dinners, balls, and parties he attended. In fact, a number of ladies were actually quite pleased with his performance and manners at these events. Which brings me to my next suggestion.
- Flirting is allowed and encouraged. Hey…you’re the one who wanted to know authentic ways to channel your inner Lafayette on his birthday. If you want to get into the spirit of things and happen to be at an acceptable social gathering, a little charm here and there with those who’ve piqued your interest will fit right into the theme. Just be respectful and remember: consent is the only acceptable course of action.
- Overdo your enthusiasm for America. Take a moment to be excited that America exists and be incredibly proud of her achievements. Even if you’re not American. Perhaps especially if you’re not American. Definitely pay some serious homage to George Washington. You should probably drink to the United States and give a brief speech about how much America’s success means to you. Go on. It’s essential! Do it for the aesthetic.
- Take a moment to appreciate your significant other. Chances are, if someone’s agreed to be a long-term part of your life, they’re pretty special. Adrienne de Lafayette was one of the most loyal women who has ever graced the planet with her presence…and Laf found out the hard way that life without her was a tragedy. Give your loved one an extra kiss for being awesome enough to stick by you through thick and thin.
- Stay away from boats. While Hamilton fans love depicting Lafayette heroically sailing in on a war frigate brandishing a sword like a champ, the more accurate depiction would be a very green Frenchman puking over the side. Stay on land while you celebrate.
- Be friendly to everyone you meet. It’s just for one day–it won’t kill you, I promise. A little charm here and there is good for the soul…and this is Lafayette we’re talking about! This is a guy who, as a Frenchman and an American general, was excited to see an acquaintance of his from London on the British side during a prisoner exchange. If you want to get into the spirit, challenge yourself to see an opportunity for bridge-building in every introduction you encounter. Have fun.
- Roleplay suggestions. Favor your left leg. Find the nearest horse and become friends with it. Text a bunch of your friends and when they don’t respond in five minutes, send them three more texts about how you value their friendship and how much silence irritates you. Locate a paternal-looking older man and adopt his as your surrogate father against his will. Find a confined, cold, dark, damp space and dream about how everything will get better once you’re welcomed to America by all the people you helped. The possibilities are endless……..
- You’re gonna need 260 candles. That’s right! Two centuries and six decades of adorkable French enthusiasm gracing our history with his legacy. Vive Lafayette!
Tag: lafayette
Washington: Lafayette tends to look on the bright side of things.
Lafayette: [rolling around in a meadow] Yay, grass!
My favourite quotes from George Washington getting stressed over Georges Washington de Lafayette: A trilogy
(For context: At this time Washington could not offer sanctuary to Georges publically when he had arrived in America as it would run the risk of causing political friction – Lafayette was seen as a traitor to the French Revolution, and by accepting his son to stay with him, Washington would damage his neutral standing. So, instead, Georges stayed with the Hamiltons for the time being).
“Did my letter to young Fayette (under cover to you) get to hand in time to be presented to him, at the interview you had with him? My desire of seeing, and assuring him from my own mouth, of my fixed determination to be his friend & supporter, is such, that I hardly know how to reconcile to my feeling, the denial of permitting him to come hither for a few moments to receive it. But supposing that whatsoever you decide on will be for the best, I shall acquiesce therein.”
-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 28 November 1795
“Have you seen or heard more of young Fayette since you last wrote to me on that subject? Where did he go to? Did you deliver him the letter I sent under cover to you for him? His case gives me pain, and I do not know how to get relieved from it. His sensibility I fear is hurt, by his not acknowledging the receipt of my letter to him; and yet, if considerations of a higher nature are opposed to a more uncovert countenance, it must be submitted to. If he wants money, I am ready to furnish it.”
-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 December 1795
Ft Alexander Hamilton:
“Young La Fayette appears melancholy and has grown thin. A letter lately received from his mother which speaks of something which she wishes him to mention to you (as I learn from his preceptor) has quickened his sensibility and increased his regret. If I am satisfied that the present state of things is likely to occasion a durable gloom, endangering the health & in some sort the mind of the young man, I shall conclude, on the strength of former permission, to send him to you for a short visit—the rather as upon repeated reflection I am not able to convince myself that there is any real inconvenience in the step and as there are certainly delicate opposite sides. But it will be my endeavour to make him content to remain away.”
-From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 24 December 1795
“My mind being continually uneasy on Acct. of Young Fayette, I cannot but wish (if this letter should reach you in time, and no reasons stronger than what have occurred against it) that you would request him, and his Tuter, to come on to this place on a visit; without avowing, or making a mystery of the object—Leaving the rest to some after decision”
-To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 13 February 1796
what was lafayette’s personality?
Like all of us, it depended on the age and environment. As a
young man, he was awkward but tried to stay included. In all honestly,
he was a typical noble until being introduced to America. In court, he
attended parties, flirted with ladies, drank, danced…and was basically
terrible at all of it. Most of his friends thought him shy, reserved, or
brooding in his early/mid-teen years, but later he stated it was
because he was not comfortable around those that were his social betters
and admitted that he was quiet to protect his pride.In
America, almost everyone found him to be charming, earnest, zealous,
and generally ‘warm’-natured, or in modern terms, (sometimes overly)
enthusiastic. Many people mentioned his excellent manners. Washington
often described his charm, but commented on his level-headed thinking in combat and his good judgement. While it was well-known that it was nearly impossible to get Lafayette to change his mind on something once he’d decided on it, he always deferred to older, more experienced generals when pressed or when arguments about leadership sprung up.When Lafayette lost popularity in France, many people saw him as two-faced; whispering in the ear of the monarchy while championing the common man. The reality was that he wanted a constitutional monarchy…meaning that he wanted King Louis XVI to remain in some semblance the leader of France while simultaneously regulating his power to such an extent that he had very little say, giving others a chance to reform. Because of this, however, he lost favor with both sides of the argument…and all manner of accusations begin showing up in the literature and letters to and about him during that period.
All in all, Lafayette was a charming, optimistic, awkward, zealous, egocentric, and ambitious man who put his best foot forward in all situations and almost never met a stranger, as the saying goes. And while that sometimes gave him the appearance of talking out of both sides of his mouth, the reality is that he typically believed both opinions he gave on any given topic…he simply knew how to phrase them so that he remained in good standing with all.
In May and July there were illustrious additions to Washington’s family,–John Laurens and Lafayette. Both became the intimate friends of Hamilton, the former one of the few passionate attachments of his life. Although Hamilton was by no means indifferent to the affection he inspired in nine—tenths of the people he met, he did not himself love easily. […]
Lafayette, brilliant, volatile, accomplished, bubbling with enthusiasm for the cause of Liberty, and his own age within a few months, he liked sincerely and always. There was no end to the favours he did him, and Lafayette loved no one better in his long and various career. […]
Laurens, the “young Bayard of the Revolution,” fresh from the colleges and courts of Europe, a man so handsome that, we are told, people experienced a certain shock when he entered the room, courtly, accomplished to the highest degree, of flawless character, with a mind as noble and elevated as it was intellectual, and burning with the most elevated patriotism,–he took Hamilton by storm, capturing judgement as well as heart, and loving him as ardently in return.
[…] The unhappiest of men, praying for death on every battlefield, he lived long enough to distinguish himself by a bravery so reckless, by such startling heroic feats, that he was, beyond all question, the popular young hero of the Revolution. He worshipped Washington as one might worship a demi—god, and risked his life for him on two occasions. But Hamilton was the friend of his life; the bond between them was romantic and chivalrous. Each burned to prove the strength of his affection, to sacrifice himself for the other.
The Conqueror, by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton, 1902
I’m reading this fanfiction, sorry, biography, and it is glorious.
(via saint-olga)
finally finished my art trade with ella god bless it took me long enough
modern!lfayette boops ;u;
…All arms and legs, no shoulders or hips, so slender that he appeared frail, but that was deceptive. He had a heart shaped face, owing to a wide forehead broadened by an already receding hairline, with a rather pointed chin. It was bisected by a long, straight nose. Big hazel eyes sparkled under arched brows, and he had a lush mouth, a ruddy complexion, and a sprinkling of freckles.
I was much amused, among some People here who understand a little English, to hear them puzzling each other with Samples of English Sentences, very difficult to be pronounced by a Frenchman. Among many others I remarked the following and very curious indeed were the Attempts to pronounce them. “What think the chosen judges?” “I thrust this Thistle through this Thumb.” “With an Apple in each hand and a third in my Mouth.” But of all the Words I ever heard essayed by a French Man, the Words “General Washington” produced the greatest Variety of difficulties. I know not that I ever heard two Persons pronounce them alike, except the Marquis de La Fayette and his Lady. They had studied and practised them so long that they had mastered the great Subject. In my second Voyage to France, I carried with me a Friend as a private Secretary,Mr. John Thaxter. His name was a new Problem of Pronunciation. I could have filled a Sheet of Paper with the Varieties of Sounds, which these two Names suggested to my French Friends. “VAUGSTAINGSTOUNG” was one of the Sounds for Washington: and “TAUGISTEY,” was another for Thaxter.
John Adams, autobiography, part 2, “Travels, and Negotiations,” 1777-1778 sheet 37 of 37, 18 – 25 July 1778
XD
(via madtomedgar)
I love that Lafayette spent a lot of time practicing Washington’s name. XD
(via publius-esquire)
Some fun facts about my little smol bean Lafayette
• As a child he would pretend to fight a giant, mythical beast
• became one of the richest aristocrats in France when he was 13
• was a ginger!!!! and had a receding hairline that made him look super old
• danced with Marie Antoinette at a ball
• but he danced so badly she laughed at him and he was humiliated in front of the whole court
• got super seasick
• youngest general in the Continental Army!!
• he was shot in the leg during his first battle in America (poor bby) but he reFUSED to get medical treatment until all his troops were back at camp safely
• was so freaking in love with America that he basically wrote his own constitution for France based on America’s
• G. Wash never had kids and Lafayette never really knew his father so the two of them became basically father and son ! ! ! and they napped together under a tree
• designed France’s flag after the French Revolution and used red white and blue as the colors (take a wild guess who he stole those from)
• was shoved into prison during the French Revolution and actually escaped ? It was so crazy he fought the guards and then escaped on horseback but he was captured the next day and thrown back into prison so ya
• ok let’s talk about him and freaking Adrienne
• they had an arranged marriage but it was cool bc they acted like middle schoolers and they were super in love
• when Lafayette was in prison Adriemne couldn’t stand to be away from him so she freaking j o i n e d him IN PRISON until he was released
• when she died he blocked off her part of their house and would meditate every morning while holding her picture
• ok so now I’m gonna get pissed
• bc
• when G Wash died later on
• Lafayette was in France right
• and no one bothered to tell him
• Lafayette wasn’t even INVITED TO THE FUNERAL
• I’M SO HEATED
• but like later when Lafayette died
• Andrew Jackson (bless his heart) ordered the same honors and ceremonies G Wash had been given at his funeral
• and Lafayette loved America so freaking much that he had American soil brought to France so he could be buried in it
• no I’m not crying over this smol bean
Daintyfire 