Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/87

 Journal of Jolui Mair, lygi Jj fore combine a certain extent of reading in the graver sciences. How- ever I scarcely expect to enter her on this till she returns to me. Her time in Philadelphia will be chiefly occupied in acquiring a little taste and execution in such of the fine arts as she could not prosecute to equal advantage in a more retired situation.' We have yet but four states in Congress. I think when we are assembled we shall propose to dispatch the most urging and important business, and, putting by what may wait, separate and return to our respective states, leaving only a Committee of the States." The constant session of Congress cannot be necessary in time of peace, and their separation will destroy the strange idea of their being a permanent body, which has unaccountably taken possession of the heads of their consti- tuents, and occasions jealousies injurious to the public good. I have the honour of being with very perfect esteem and respect Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servt Th : Jefferson 2. Journal of John Mair, ijgi John M.ir, Esquire, of Iron Acton, father of Mary Charlotte, wife of Xassau W. Senior, was born in 1744. His friends bought him a commission as cornet of dragoons and he immediately sailed for India in 1761. After much active service he retired from the army and sailed from India in the same ship with Lord Clive in 1767. Elaborate journals of his stay in India and subsequent travels are in the possession of his granddaughter. He visited Paris on his way home, and lived there with John Wilkes and his daughter. In 1770 he again visited Paris to be present at the marriage of Louis X'I. to Marie Antoinette, whom he ardently admired. He was an inveterate traveller, visiting all parts of England and the Continent, the Unittd States, Canada, and the West Indies, where he was so much charmed with Dominica that he bought an estate and lived there several years. During the short time he lived in England he spent the winters at Bath. In his old age he bought the little estate of Iron Acton in Gloucestershire and took his son and two daughters to live with him. John Raven Senior was then parson of the parish, hence the marriage of Nassau Senior and ]Iary Mair. Mr. Mair died in London at his son-in-law's house, 13 Hyde Park, in 1830, of fatigue brought on by a hasty visit to Paris to see the results of the Revolution of 1830. His journals, in the possession of Mrs. M. Simpson, of Milmead House, Guildford, Sur- ' Jefferson's letter of November 28, 1783, to his daughter (Miss Randolph's Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson, 69 ; Ford, III. 344) shows her programme to consist mostly of music, dancing, and drawing, but from three to four o'clock each day she was to read French.
 * Congress did not adjourn till June 3, 1784.