18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 37

[cahn]

More diaries of our favorite 18th-century Prussian diary-keeper have been unearthed and have been synopsized!

January 18th: Blessed be thou to me! Under your light, my Prince Heinrich was born!

Comments

Lafayette

[mildred_of_midgard]

I couldn't resist sharing this quote from Hero of Two Worlds, the bio I recced to cahn a while back and finished today. Context: French political upheavals in the 1820s, aka "France still can't decide what kind of government it wants":

The popular banker Jacques Laffitte later recalled a conversation with the doctrinaire deputy Pierre Paul Royer-Collard. Laffitte said Lafayette was not only a leader in the conspiracies, but actually seemed to be *trying* to be accused publicly. “Is he crazy?” asked Royer-Collard. On the contrary, Laffitte said, Lafayette was “the wisest, the most reasonable, the sharpest man you will ever meet… insurrection according to him is the most sacred of duties.” Royer-Collard replied, “I’m not sure. Lafayette is a monument wandering around in search of its pedestal. If on the way he should find a scaffold or the chair of president of the Republic, he would not give two cents for the choice between them.” Laffitte later told Lafayette about this conversation and Lafayette laughed and said it was true.

selenak, I don't suppose you want to read this? It's as readable as Goldstone, and any summary by you will be a million times better (and more likely to exist) than a summary by me!

Re: Lafayette

[selenak]

I would, but I have a crowded life right now and no idea when I'll be able to summarize it for salon!

Re: Lafayette

[mildred_of_midgard]

Understood! If that changes someday and you have the interest, you have an attentive audience aka fanbase, as always. <3

Re: Lafayette

[cahn]

I might read this at some point! I am still slogging through Hugo reading, but that will have to be done by mid-August, and may or may not have the capacity to read it then. Though it would be less Awesome Writeup and more "...did X really happen??" :)

Re: Lafayette

[mildred_of_midgard]

You should read it, regardless of whether Selena does!

Though it would be less Awesome Writeup and more "...did X really happen??" :)

Haha, mine are always "here's an interesting tidbit" or "hilarious quote." Only Selena is wise in the ways of informative writeups!