CHAPTER VIII. Jefferson asks for leave of Absence.--Character of the Prince of Wales.--Letters to Madame de Brehan.--Fondness for Natural History.--Anecdote told by Webster.--Jefferson's Opinion of Chemistry.--Letter to Professor Willard.--Martha Jefferson.-- She wishes to enter a Convent.--Her Father takes her Home.--He is impatient to return to Virginia.--Letter to Washington.--To Mrs. Eppes.--Receives leave of Absence.--Farewell to France.-- Jefferson as an Ambassador.--He leaves Paris.--His Daughter's Account of the Voyage, and Arrival at Home.--His Reception by his Slaves. In November, 1788, Mr. Jefferson wrote to Mr. Jay to petition Congress for a leave of absence of five or six months. He earnestly desired this leave, that he might return to America to look after his own private affairs, which sadly needed his personal attention, and that he might carry his daughters back to Virginia and leave them with their relations there, as he thought they were now at an age when they should be associating with those among whom they were to live. During the months which elapsed before he received leave to return home, his correspondence with his friends in America continued to be interesting. In a letter written to Mr. Jay early in January, 1789, we find the following sketch of a character then notorious in Europe: _To John Jay._ As the character of the Prince of Wales is becoming interesting, I have endeavored to learn what it truly is. This is less difficult in his case than it is in other persons of his rank, because he has taken no pains to hide himself from the world. The information I most rely on is from a person here, with whom I am intimate, who divides his time between Paris and London--an Englishman by birth, of truth, sagacity, and science. He is of a circle, when in London, which has had good opportunities of knowing the Prince; but he has also, himself, had special occasions of verifying their information by his own personal observations. He happened, when last in London, to be invited to a dinner of three persons. The Prince came by chance, and made the fourth. He ate half a leg of mutton; did not taste of small dishes, because small; drank Champagne and Burgundy as small beer during dinner, and Bourdeaux after dinner, as the rest of the company. Upon the whole, he ate as much as the other three, and drank about two bottles of wine without seeming to feel it.