mother, for myself, and for my country."

Lafayette was much moved by the sincerity of it all; and after
kissing the boy and getting into his carriage, he said, with tears in
his eyes, that it was one of the happiest moments of his life.

While on his way to Yorktown, in October, Lafayette paid a visit to
Mount Vernon. Again he passed through the rooms and over the grounds
with which he was so familiar. What memories of its owner, his great
and faithful friend for twenty-two years, must have crowded upon the
old hero!

The remains of Washington then lay in the old tomb near the river.
The door was opened, and Lafayette went down into the vault, where he
remained some moments beside the coffin of his great chief. He came
out with his head bowed, and with tears streaming down {212} his
face. He then led his son into the tomb, where they knelt reverently,
and, after the French fashion, kissed the coffin.

Meanwhile, the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill was
near at hand. The prosperous and happy people of the old Bay State
were preparing a celebration. The corner stone of Bunker Hill
Monument was to be laid by Lafayette.

[Illustration: Bunker Hill Monument]

The weather on this memorable June day was perfect. Never before had
such a crowd been seen in Boston.

A Yankee stage driver very aptly said, "Everything that had wheels
and everything that had legs used them to get to Boston."

Through the densely crowded streets, a grand civic and military
procession of seven thousand people escorted the guests to Bunker
Hill.

As one famous man said, "It seemed as if no spot where a human foot
could plant itself was left unoccupied."

Two hundred officers and soldiers of the Revolution marched at the
head of the procession. One old man, who had been a drummer in the
battle of Bunker Hill, carried the same drum with which he had
rallied the patriot forces.

{213} How they shouted when the hero of the day came riding slowly
along, in an open barouche drawn by six white horses! The women waved
their handkerchiefs and the gayly decked school children scattered
flowers.

How thrilling it was to see those forty white-haired men, the
survivors of Bunker Hill!

During the morning, these honored heroes had been presented to
Lafayette. He had shaken hands with them, had called them by name,
and had spoken a few tender words to each of them, as if to some dear
friend.

[Illustration: Lafayette's Reception