With what pleasure my dr. madam do I take up my pen as a medium of or substitute for a conversation with you—by admitting no other idea to rob me of your image, I enjoy, at least for the moment the most pleasing delusion. Yesterday your little sons by passing their holiday with me made me very happy— Robert so exceedingly resembles Mr. Morris that I feel for him a respect mingled with my love; tho’ at the same time I regret his distance from his father’s example & counsil— When (as it sometimes happens) among of our little americans that my decision is referr’d ^to^ respecting matters of right & wrong, I always request Robert’s opinion; & when he hesitates, I ask him what he thinks would be his Father’s sentiments upon such occasions, to which he generally replys very justly; & I remark to him the certainty of his acting with propriety while he imitates so worthy an example.— Tommy (who is likewise a fine boy) told me that his last letters mention’d Hetty’s & Maria’s illness—1 I hope they are now quite recovered as well as my dr. Kitty—2 will you embrace them for me?—

If during my stay in Paris it is in my power to serve you, nothing my dr. Mrs. Morris can give me greater pleasure than receiving yr. commands—at present the prevailing fashions are very decent & very plain; the gowns most worne are the robes à l’Angloise which are exactly like the Italian habits that were in fashion in America at the time I left it—3 The Sultana, resembling the long polinese is also à la mode, but as it is not expected that ^it^ will long remain so, every body makes them of slight silk—4 There is so great a variety of hats, Caps, cuffs &c. that it is impossible to describe them.— I forgot to mention that the robe ^à^ l’Angloise if trimm’d either with the same or with gauze is dress, but if intirely untrimm’d must be worn with an apron & is undress: negligees are very little in vougue: fans of 8 or 10 sous are almost the only ones in use.—

At the Marquis de la Fayette’s table I had the pleasure of hearing you my dear Mrs. Morris mention’d the other day as well as Mr. Morris in terms to me the most grateful imaginable— The Marchioness is a most amiable woman—she express’d her inclination to see America in very flattering terms, & I could not forbear assuring her that if she ever honor’d us by a visit, she would find that her Character there had already prepar’d the Americans to receive her in a manner, that would convince ^her^ that the Marquis, tho’ much esteem’d, was not the only one ^of^ his Family that they respected—

The Queen has lately return’d to Versailles after a residence of 8 or 10 weeks at Passey—while there I used sometimes to have the pleasure of seeing ^her^ at the Plays— She is so handsome & her manners are so engaging, that almost forgetful of republican principles, I was ever ready while in her presence to declare her born to be a Queen.— There are however many traits in her character worthy of imitation even by republicans, & I cannot but admire her resolution to superintend the education of Madame Royale her daughter,5 to whom she has alotted chambers adjoining her own, & persists in refusing to name a Governatnte for her— The Duchess of Polniac is nam’d for that office to the Dauphin.—6

I have just been interrupted by a visit from the Princess Mazarin, who inform’d me that the Count d’Artois would be here in 8 or 10 days hence, & the Prince her husband soon after. [So]7 I conjecture the seige of Gibralter is to be abandon’d—

I have had so many interruptions since I’ve been writing this short letter that I must entreat you will impute some of the blunders with which it is fill’d to that cause—

Please to present Mr. Jay’s and my Compts. to Mr. & Mrs. White,8 Mr. Morris, the Chevalier la Luzerne, Mr. Marboir9 & Mr. Holker.—10 Mr. Jay likewise desires me to assure you that his esteem for you is not less than that with which I have the honor to be my dr. madam yours sincerely,