s to go to the rue
Chaussee d'Antin, No. 17, and inquire after my friends whom I had left
there. I was told they were in England. And how do you like England,
Madam? I know your taste for the works of art gives you little
disposition to Anglomania. Their mechanics certainly exceed all others
in some lines. But be just to your own nation. They have not patience,
it is true, to set rubbing a piece of steel from morning to night, as a
lethargic Englishman will do, full charged with porter. But do not their
benevolence, their cheerfulness, their amiability, when compared with
the growling temper and manners of the people among whom you are,
compensate their want of patience? I am in hopes that when the splendor
of their shops, which is all that is worth seeing in London, shall
have lost the charm of novelty, you will turn a wishful eye to the good
people of Paris, and find that you cannot be so happy with any others.
The Bois de Boulogne invites you earnestly to come and survey its
beautiful verdure, to retire to its umbrage from the heats of the
season. I was through it to-day, as I am every day. Every tree charged
me with this invitation to you. Passing by la Muette, it wished for you
as a mistress. You want a country-house. This is for sale; and in the
Bois de Boulogne, which I have always insisted to be most worthy of
your preference. Come then, and buy it. If I had had confidence in your
speedy return, I should have embarrassed you in earnest with my little
daughter. But an impatience to have her with me, after her separation
from her friends, added to a respect for your ease, has induced me to
send a servant for her.

I tell you no news, because you have correspondents infinitely more _au
fait_ of the details at Paris than I am. And I offer you no services,
because I hope you will come as soon as the letter could, which should
command them. Be assured, however, that nobody is more disposed to
render them, nor entertains for you a more sincere and respectful
attachment, than him, who, after charging you with his compliments to
Monsieur de Corny, has the honor of offering you the homage of those
sentiments of distinguished esteem and regard, with which he is, Dear
Madam, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXIII.--TO JOHN ADAMS, July 1, 1787

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, July 1, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I returned about three weeks ago from a very useless voyage; useless,
I mean, as