u have some idea of the excitement as
the procession passed under the triumphal arch spanning Washington
Street.

[Illustration: _Left_: Thomas Lawrason, builder, and the first owner of
the La Fayette House.

_Right_: Mrs. Thomas Lawrason _nee_ Elizabeth Carson]

This arch was a masterpiece. It has been described by Benjamin Hallowell
in his _Autobiography_ and by the _Alexandria Gazette_ at the time, and
memories of it linger in old tales told in many homes. Built in three
sections, a large arch spanned the street, with smaller ones the
sidewalks. The columns were decorated with portraits of Washington and
La Fayette. Noble and patriotic sentiments were inscribed: "Welcome La
Fayette--A Nation's Gratitude Thy Due"--"For a Nation to be Free, it is
Sufficient that she wills it." A fully rigged ship hung beneath the
central span, and the whole was decorated with cedar, laurel and oak,
set off by a Liberty cap and "a real mountain eagle which had been
politely furnished by Mr. Timothy Mountford of the Museum." When the
column passed under the arch, the eagle "politely furnished" opened wide
his wings and gave a mighty screech, produced, 'tis said, by a small
boy and a pin placed in close proximity for this very purpose. From the
windows of the houses ladies waved handkerchiefs and threw nosegays in
fiesta fashion.

[Illustration: The doorway to the elegant house built by Thomas Lawrason
and loaned by his widow to La Fayette]

When the parade reached Royal Street and Gadsby's Tavern, we are told
that a ceremony took place there which, "in sublimity and moral effect
surpassed all." "One hundred young girls and one hundred boys from seven
to twelve years of age were arrayed in lines extending to the Reception
Room." They were neatly dressed, the "females" in white with blue sashes
and badges and leghorn bonnets, the boys in blue with pink sashes and
badges. As the General approached, a little girl, Rosalie Taylor,
stepped out and "spoke with becoming grace and manner" a poem several
verses long that began:

Fayette, friend of Washington.
_Freedom's_ children greet thee here;
Fame for _Thee_ our hearts has won
Flows for thee the grateful tear.
Chorus
Happiness today is ours;
Strew, ye fair! his way with flowers!

After being wined and dined at Claggett's Hotel, formerly Gadsby's, the
barouche was again brought forward and General La Fayette, escorted by
the processio