At dinner, the ladies and gentlemen are mixed, and you converse with him who sits next you, rarely speaking to two persons across the table, unless to ask if they will be served with any thing from your side. Conversation is never general as with us; for, when the company quit the table, they fall into _tête-à-tête_ of two and two, when the conversation is in a low voice, and a stranger unacquainted with the customs of the country, would think that every body had private business to transact. Mrs. Adams writes to her sister: We see as much company in a formal way as our revenues will admit; and Mr. Jefferson, with one or two Americans, visits us in the social, friendly way. I shall really regret to leave Mr. Jefferson; he is one of the choice ones of the earth. On Thursday, I dine with him at his house. On Sunday he is to dine here. On Monday we all dine with the Marquis. The intimate and friendly relations which existed between Mr. Jefferson and Mrs. Adams's family is seen from the following playful note from him to her daughter, Mrs. Smith: Mr. Jefferson has the honor to present his compliments to Mrs. Smith and to send her the two pair of corsets she desired. He wishes they may be suitable, as Mrs. Smith omitted to send her measure. Times are altered since Mademoiselle de Sanson had the honor of knowing her; should they be too small, however, she will be so good as to lay them by a while. There are ebbs as well as flows in this world. When the mountain refused to come to Mahomet, he went to the mountain. Mr. Jefferson wishes Mrs. Smith a happy new-year, and abundance of happier ones still to follow it. He begs leave to assure her of his esteem and respect, and that he shall always be happy to be rendered useful to her by being charged with her Commands. Paris, Jan. 15, 1787. CHAPTER V. Jefferson's first Impressions of Europe.--Letter to Mrs. Trist.--To Baron De Geismer.--He visits England.--Letter to his Daughter.--To his Sister.--Extract from his Journal kept when in England.--Letter to John Page.--Presents a Bust of Lafayette to chief Functionaries of Paris.--Breaks his Wrist.-- Letter to Mrs. Trist.--Mr. and Mrs. Cosway.--Correspondence with Mrs. Cosway.--Letter to Colonel Carrington.--To Mr. Madison.--To Mrs. Bingham.--Her Reply. Jefferson's first impressions of Europe and of the French are found in the following extracts from his letters written to America at that time: _Extract from a Letter to Mrs. Trist._ Paris, August 18th, 1785.