courted, than those who have no settled principles, or one ever ready to
support the successful candidate for power.

Except the short and occasional engagements in political concerns, just
above related, Lafayette, after his return to France in the year 1800,
generally remained at his estate, about thirty miles from Paris. But though
retired from the more active scenes of public life, he enjoyed the
friendship of several eminent characters in his own country; and was
visited by all distinguished Americans, and many British statesmen and
scholars, whose business or amusement led them to travel through France. He
was always particularly desirous to learn the affairs of America, his
adopted country; and was careful to procure all the publications from the
United States. Besides literary pursuits, he was occasionally occupied in
attending to the cultivation and improvement of his family estate. Such has
frequently been the employment and solace of eminent men, when they have
retired from high public stations, in which their services and exactions
have met the mistaken censure or the neglect of the world. During several
of the first years of this retirement, he was blessed with the society of
an amiable and affectionate wife. And after her much lamented death, which
has been before noticed, he still enjoyed the pleasure of being surrounded
by his children and grand children, in whose education and improvement he
always took a truly paternal interest.

At the time the federal constitution was in discussion by conventions in
the several states, and when it first went into operation, Alexander
Hamilton, who was its zealous advocate, corresponded with Lafayette on the
subject. The letters have not been published; but it is probable they would
be highly interesting to the politician and statesman, and serve fully to
develop the views of both these eminent men on the science of civil
government. This was about the period of the commencement of the French