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You will see, by the former date, that my letter
has lain by me some time. Mr. Pickman, of Salem,
who is going to London, has promised to take this
with him, and will carry it himself, if no opportunity
offers before, to America. We are all well; some
preparing for America, and others longing for the
time of their departure thither. What a sad misfortune
it is to have the body in one place, and the soul
in another. Indeed, my dear sister, I hope to come
home the spring after the present. My acquaintance
here is not large, nor ever will be. Then, what are
dinners, and visits of ceremony, compared with
"the feast of reason, and the flow of soul"? I
have dined twice at the Marquis de la Fayette's,
with a large company, some of whom I was acquainted
with, and others that I never saw before;
and to-morrow are to dine here, Mr. Brantzen,
the Ambassador Extraordinary from Holland; the
Chevalier de la Luzerne, late Minister in America;
Marquis de la Fayette and his lady; Mr. W. T.
Franklin, late Secretary to the American Commission;
Colonel Humphreys, our present Secretary;
and Mr. Williams, a worthy, clever gentleman,
Who has been very friendly to us; Mr. Jonathan
Williams, a Bostonian, who very often comes to
have a social talk about all our old friends and
acquaintance in Boston; the Chevalier Jones; Mr.
Bingham and lady; a Mr. and Mrs. Rucker, and
Mrs. Rucker's sister, lately from New York, strangers

to me; but all strangers, from every Part of
America, visit the American Ministers, and then
are invited to dine with them. The Duc de la
Vauguyon was invited also; but, not hearing from
him, I suppose him not in Paris at present; he was
late Minister from this Court to Holland. Madame
la Marquise de la Fayette is a very agreeable lady,
and has two very pretty children; the third, Virginia,
I have never seen; it is in the country; the eldest
daughter is seven years old, and George Washington
about five. After dinner, Miss and Master are
always introduced to the company; both of them
speak English, and behave very prettily. Madame
de la Fayette has promised to bring me acquainted
with her mother, the Duchess de Noailles, who is
now at Versailles, waiting for the birth of a Prince,
or Princess, which is daily expected; and, as she is
one of the ladies of honor to the Queen, her attendance
is indispensable.

I have scarcely room left to say, that I am,