e subject. I never had an opinion in politics or religion, which I was
afraid to own. A costive reserve on these subjects might have procured
me more esteem from some people, but less from myself. My great wish
is, to go on in a strict but silent performance of my duty: to avoid
attracting notice, and to keep my name out of newspapers, because I find
the pain of a little censure, even when it is unfounded, is more acute
than the pleasure of much praise. The attaching circumstance of my
present office, is, that I can do its duties unseen by those for whom
they are done. You did not think, by so short a phrase in your letter,
to have drawn on yourself such an egotistical dissertation. I beg your
pardon for it, and will endeavor to merit that pardon by the constant
sentiments of esteem and attachment, with which I am, Dear Sir, your
sincere friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXC.--TO MADAME DE BREHAN, March 14, 1789

TO MADAME DE BREHAN.

Paris, March 14, 1789.

Dear Madam,

I had the honor of writing to you on the 15th of February; soon after
which, I had that of receiving your favor of December the 29th. I have
a thousand questions to ask you about your journey to the Indian treaty,
how you like their persons, their manners, their costumes, cuisine, &c.
But this I must defer till I can do it personally in New York, where I
hope to see you for a moment in the summer, and to take your commands
for France. I have little to communicate to you from this place. It is
deserted: every body being gone into the country to choose or be chosen
deputies to the States General. I hope to see that great meeting before
my departure. It is to be on the 27th of next month. A great political
revolution will take place in your country, and that without bloodshed.
A King with two hundred thousand men at his orders, is disarmed by the
force of the public opinion and the want of money. Among the economies
becoming necessary, perhaps one may be the opera. They say, it has cost
the public treasury an hundred thousand crowns the last year. A
new theatre is established since your departure; that of the _Opera
Buffone_, where Italian operas are given, and good music. It is in the
_Chateau des Tuileries_. Paris is every day enlarging and beautifying. I
do not count among its beauties, however, the wall with which they
have enclosed us. They have made some amends for this, by making fine
boulevards within and without the walls.