Thomas Jefferson to René Anacharsis Barba, 23 October [1821]
To René Anacharsis Barba
P.F. Oct. 23.
I recieve at an occnal residence very distant from Monticello your favor of the 11th and shall recieve that of my friend Lafayette when it comes to hand, with the pleasure which every thing from him gives me.
No country on earth perhaps is so overstocked with Physicians as that which you have happened to chuse for the exercise of1 your profession. in Medecine too there is a great deal of fashion, & it is as different in different countries as their other fashions.
Your other object of becoming teacher in a private family admits a better chance of employment. I do not however know at this moment of any particular position which offers itself, should such an one come to my knolege I shall inform you of it with pleasure. in most of our great cities the teaching the Fr. language to private pupils by occasional attendance2 on them at their own houses is often a tolerable resource. with an assurance of my attention to your request accept that of my best wishes for your success & of my great respect
Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 221:39429); on address leaf of RC of Barba to TJ, 11 Oct. 1821; partially dated. Recorded in SJL as written 23 Oct. 1821.
TJ had in fact already received on 27 Sept. the 1 July 1821 letter from his friend lafayette.
1. Preceding three words interlined.
2. Word interlined in place of “calls.”
Index Entries
- Barba, René Anacharsis; letter to search
- Barba, René Anacharsis; seeks employment search
- education; tutors, private search
- French language; TJ studies search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; doctors search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; medicine search
- Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, marquis de; introduces R. A. Barba search
- medicine; and physicians search
- Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); TJ visits search