acter must have enemies; because there are two sides
to every question, and taking one with decision, and acting on it with
effect, those who take the other will of course be hostile in proportion
as they feel that effect. Thus, in the Revolution, Hancock and the
Adamses were the raw-head and bloody bones of tories and traitors; who
yet knew nothing of you personally but what was good. I do not entertain
your apprehensions for the happiness of our brother Madison in a state
of retirement. Such a mind as his, fraught with information and with
matter for reflection, can never know _ennui_. Besides, there will
always be work enough cut out for him to continue his active usefulness
to his country. For example, he and Monroe (the President) are now
here on the work of a collegiate institution to be established in our
neighborhood, of which they and myself are three of six Visitors. This,
if it succeeds, will raise up children for Mr. Madison to employ his
attention through life. I say, if it succeeds; for we have two very
essential wants in our way: 1. means to compass our views; and 2. men
qualified to fulfil them. And these you will agree are essential wants
indeed.

I am glad to find you have a copy of Sismondi, because his is a field
familiar to you, and on which you can judge him. His work is highly
praised, but I have not yet read it. I have been occupied and delighted
with reading another work, the title of which did not promise much
useful information or amusement, '_L'Italia avanti il Dominio del
Romani, dal Micali_. It has often, you know, been a subject of regret
that Carthage had no writer to give her side of her own history,
while her wealth, power, and splendor prove she must have had a very
distinguished policy and government. Micali has given the counterpart
of the Roman history, for the nations over which they extended their
dominion. For this he has gleaned up matter from every quarter, and
furnished materials for reflection and digestion to those who, thinking
as they read, have perceived that there was a great deal of matter
behind the curtain, could that be fully withdrawn. He certainly gives
new views of a nation whose splendor has masked and palliated their
barbarous ambition. I am now reading Botta's History of our own
Revolution. Bating the ancient practice which he has adopted, of putting
speeches into mouths which never made them, and fancying motives of
action which we never felt, he has given tha