380 



THE FEENCH BLOOD IN AlVIEEICA 



Bartholdi's 

 Statue 



cemetery of the Dames Blanches came into existence, since 

 it was near the old quarry where thirteen hundred vic- 

 tims were buried, and there Madame de Lafayette's body 

 was placed. Later her noble husband was laid by her 

 side, and their son, George Washington Lafayette, is 

 buried near by. 



America does not forget Lafayette. His name lives in 

 our history closely associated with that of the great 

 American chief whom he venerated. As Decoration Day 

 rolls around each year, Americans in Paris make a pil- 

 grimage to the little cemetery and place flowers upon the 

 tomb of the hero, and words of appreciation are spoken. 

 In our own country there are statues of him in the 

 public squares of many of our large cities. Nor are 

 there wanting tokens of American appreciation in the 

 French capital itself. In the quiet, picturesque little 

 Place des J^tats-Unis (Place or Square of the United 

 States), under the shady chestnut trees, stands a beautiful 

 bronze group by Bartholdi, the same French sculptor who 

 designed the colossal statue of ''Liberty' Enlightening 

 the World," which graces New York harbour, represent- 

 ing Washington and Lafayette, hand in hand, with the 

 flags of the two republics entwined, and an inscription 

 reading : 



" Hommage a la Fra^ice, en reconnaissance de son gtnereux 

 concours dans la lutte du peuple des JEtats- Urns pour V Inde- 

 pendance et la Liherte.^^ 



(Homage to France, in recognition of her generous aid 

 in the struggle of the people of the United States for in- 

 dependence and liberty.) 



Tribute of 

 American 

 School 

 Children 



III 



Some years ago some five million school children of 

 America contributed their pennies for the erection of an- 

 other statue of Lafayette in Paris. The French govern- 

 ment gave a site in the gardens of the Louvre, and during 

 the summer of the exposition of 1000 the unveiling of a 



