and desolate aspect, It was, I think, the most agreeable town to reside In for any length of time. The opportunity of collecting Information from Senators and Representatives from all parts of the country—the hospitality of the heads of the Government and the Corps Diplomatique—of Itself supplied resources such as could nowhere else be looked for."
In Mr. Jefferson's time, the population numbered about five thousand persons, and their residences were scattered over an Immense space. Society presented a novel aspect; unconnected by similarity of habits, by established fashions, by the ties of acquaintance or consanguinity, the motley throng became united into one close and Intimate circle by a feeling common to all; they were strangers in a strange land, and felt the necessity of mutual aid and accommodation, and might be compared to a beautiful piece of mosaic, in which an Infinity of separate pieces of diversified colors are blended Into one harmonious whole. Mr, Jefferson, many years after his retirement from public life, recurring to that time, remarked to a friend that the peculiar felicity of his administration was the unanimity that prevailed In his Cabinet; "we were," said he, "like one family." The same spirit of union and kindness pervaded the whole circle of society—a circle at that time very limited in Its extent and very simple In its habits. The most friendly and social Intercourse prevailed through all Its parts, unshackled by that etiquette and ceremony which have since been Introduced, to the no
