A general of opinion rather than the general of an army, he was more accustomed to command citizens in the public square, than soldiers in a campaign.

Personally brave, beloved by his troops, but more of a citizen than a soldier, he had, during the American war, headed small bodies of free men, but not undisciplined masses.

Not to peril his soldiers; defend the frontiers with intrepidity; die bravely at a Thermopylae; harangue the national guard; and excite his troops for or against opinions; such was the nature of La Fayette.

The daring schemes of great wars, that risk much to save every thing, and which expose the frontiers for a moment to strike at the heart of an empire, accorded but ill with his habits, much less with his situation.
By becoming a general, La Fayette had become the chief of a party; and whilst he was opposing foreign powers, his eyes were constantly turned towards the interior.

Doubtless he needed glory to nourish his influence, and to regain the _role_ of arbitrator of the Revolution, which now began to escape his grasp; but before every thing, it was necessary that he should not compromise himself; one defeat would have ruined all, and he knew it.