llize the public mind, in a great degree, till
their meeting. There are, however, two intervening difficulties. 1.
Justice cannot till then continue completely suspended, as it now is.
The parliament will not resume their functions, but in their entire
body. The _bailliages_ are afraid to accept of them. What will be done?
2. There are well-founded fears of a bankruptcy before the month of May.
In the mean time, the war is spreading from nation to nation. Sweden
has commenced hostilities against Russia; Denmark is showing its teeth
against Sweden; Prussia against Denmark; and England too deeply engaged
in playing the back game, to avoid coming forward, and dragging this
country and Spain in with her. But even war will not prevent the
assembly of the States General, because it cannot be carried on without
them. War, however, is not the most favorable moment for divesting the
monarchy of power. On the contrary, it is the moment when the energy of
a single hand shows itself in the most seducing form.

A very considerable portion of this country has been desolated by a
hail. I considered the newspaper accounts of hailstones of ten pounds
weight as exaggerations. But in a conversation with the Duke de la
Rochefoucault the other day, he assured me, that though he could not
say he had seen such himself, yet he considered the fact as perfectly
established. Great contributions, public and private, are making for the
sufferers. But they will be like the drop of water from the finger of
Lazarus. There is no remedy for the present evil, nor way to prevent
future ones, but to bring the people to such a state of ease, as not to
be ruined by the loss of a single crop. This hail may be considered as
the _coup de grace_ to an expiring victim. In the arts there is nothing
new discovered since you left us, which is worth communicating. Mr.
Paine's iron bridge was exhibited here with great approbation. An
idea has been encouraged of executing it in three arches at the King's
garden. But it will probably not be done.

I am, with sentiments of perfect esteem and attachment, Dear Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLII.--TO JOHN JAY, August 10, 1788

TO JOHN JAY.

Paris, August 10, 1788.

Sir,

I have waited till the last moment of Mrs. Barclay's departure, to write
you the occurrences since my letter of the 3rd instant. We have received
the Swedish account of an engagement between their