is more important.  It is eight thousand livres a year, which will enable him to live comfortably, while his duties will find him that occupation, without which he cannot exist.  Whilst this appointment places him at his ease, it affords a hope of permanence also.  It suspends, if not entirely prevents, the visit he had intended to his native country, and the return to his adoptive one, which the death of his wife had rendered possible.  This last event has given him three quarters of the globe elbow-room, which he had ceded to her, on condition she would leave him quiet in the fourth.  Their partition of the next world will be more difficult, if it be divided only into two parts, according to the protestant faith.  Having seen by a letter you wrote him, that you were in want of a pair of spectacles, I undertook to procure you some, which I packed in a box of books addressed to Mr. Wythe, and of which I beg your acceptance.  This box lay forgotten at Havre the whole of the last winter, but was at length shipped, and I trust has come to hand.  I packed with the spectacles three or four pair of glasses, adapted to the different periods of life, distinguished from each other by numbers, and easily changed.  You see I am looking forward in hope of a long life for you; and that it may be long enough to carry you through the whole succession of glasses, is my sincere prayer.  Present me respectfully to Mrs. Bellini, assure her of my affectionate remembrance of her, and my wishes for her health and happiness; and accept yourself very sincere professions of the esteem and attachment with which I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXLVIII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, July 31, 1788

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, July 31, 1788.

Dear Sir,

My last letters to you were of the 3rd and the 25th of May.  Yours from
Orange, of April the 22nd, came to hand on the 10th instant.

My letter to Mr. Jay containing all the public news that is well authenticated, I will not repeat it here, but add some details in the smaller way, which you may be glad to know.  The disgrace of the Marquis de la Fayette, which, at any other period of their history, would have had the worst consequences for him, will, on the contrary, mark him favorably to the nation, at present.  During the present administration, he can expect nothing; but perhaps it may serve him with their successors, whenever a change shall take place.  No change of the Principal will probably take place, before the meeting of the States General; though a change is to be wished, for his operations do not answer the expectations formed of him.  These had been calculated, on his brilliancy in society.  He is very feebly aided too.  Montmorin is weak, though a most worthy character.  He is indolent and inattentive too, in the extreme.  Luzerne is considerably inferior in abilities to his brother,