University of Virginia Library

TO MISS LUCY CRANCH.

Although I was at a stupid rout at the Swedish
minister's last evening, I got home about twelve,
and rose early this morning to get a few things
ready to send out by Lyde. When a body has attended
one of these parties, you know the whole of
the entertainment. There were about two hundred
persons present last evening. Three large rooms
full of card-tables; the moment the ceremony of
curtseying is past, the lady of the house asks you,
"Pray, what is your game; whist, cribbage, or commerce?"
And then the next thing is to hunt round
the room for a set to make a party; and, as the company
are coming and going from eight till two in
the morning, you may suppose that she has enough
to employ her from room to room. The lady and

her daughter last night were almost fatigued to
death, for they had been out the night before till
morning, and were toiling at pleasure for seven
hours, in which time they scarcely sat down. I
went with a determination not to play, but could not
get off; so I was set down to a table with three
perfect strangers, and the lady who was against me
stated the game at half a guinea a-piece. I told
her I thought it full high; but I knew she designed
to win, so I said no more, but expected to lose. It
however happened otherwise. I won four games of
her. I then paid for the cards, which is the custom
here, and, left her to attack others, which she did, at
three other tables, where she amply made up her
loss. In short, she was an old, experienced hand,
and it was the luck of the cards rather than skill,
though I have usually been fortunate, as it is termed;
but I never play when I can possibly avoid it, for I
have not conquered the disagreeable feeling of receiving
money for play. But such a set of gamblers
as the ladies here are! and such a life as they lead!
Good Heavens! were reasonable beings made for
this? I will come and shelter myself in America
from this scene of dissipation, and upbraid me whenever
I introduce the like amongst you. Yet here
you cannot live with any character or consequence,
unless you give in some measure into the ton.

Mr. Adams is gone to accompany Mr. Jefferson
into the country to some of the most celebrated gardens.
This is the first tour he has made since I first
came abroad; during which time we have lived

longer unseparated than we have ever done before
since we were married.