To Thomas Jefferson from Madame Denise Broutin, 17 July 1789
From Madame Denise Broutin
A Cernay le 17 juillet
J’ai recu Monsieur avec autant de surprise que de reconnoissance, le present utile et agreable que vous avés la bonté de me faire. Je suis tres flattée que l’heureux hazard qui m’a procuré le plaisir de vous voir vous ait interessé à Cernay.
Vous me rappellés votre sensible Compatriote Sterne qui devine dans les yeux d’une femme le desir qu’elle avoit qu’il preferât une Voiture à deux places. Aussi habile et aussi délicat, vous avés saisi mon foible pour mon jardin et m’avés sans perdre de tems procuré les moyens de L’embellir. Si cette lecture me donne quelques idées je serois heureuse de vous en faire L’hommage. Seroit-ce trop espérer que de penser que ces embellissemens vous attireront à Cernay? J’aurois un tres grand regret si le plaisir de vous voir ne devoit pas se renouveller. J’ai L’honneur d’etre Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissante Servante,
Denis Broutin
RC (DLC); endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 18 July 1789.
TJ’s present utile—a copy of Whateley’s Observations on Modern Gardening (TJ to Mme. Broutin, 13 July 1789)—recalls the fact that when TJ toured English gardens in 1786, Whateley in hand, an English gardener made a mistake similar to that of Madame Broutin in her assumption that Sterne was a compatriot. The incident was related by young Abigail Adams: “Viewing the Houses and Gardens of Noblemen constitutes one of the principal Summer amusements of this Country—Natives as well as strangers—and the gardens of all the Nobility are open to the latter. When Mr J——n was here at someone of the Gardens which he visited, the Gardener told him he had orders from his Master not to admit Englishmen—but I am not an Englishman answered Mr J——. Oh sir then they are open to you—but what is the reason of your Masters prohibiting Englishmen from his Gardens? Because Sir he cannot trust them. They will take something with them. The houses are generally seen only by Tickets from the owner, which is a mere matter of Form for any person may procure them who will take the trouble to send for them” (Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 July 1786; MHi: Adams Papers).