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nothing published here, since I came, of extraordinary merit. The Encyclopedie methodique, which is coming out, from time to time, must be excepted from this. It is to be had at two guineas less than the subscription price. I shall be happy to send you any thing in this way which you may desire. French books are to be bought here, for two thirds of what they can in England. Eng lish and Greek and Latin "authors, cost from twenty-five to fifty per cent, more here than in England.
I received, some time ago, a letter from Messrs. Hay and Bu chanan, as Directors of the public buildings, desiring I would have plans drawn for our public buildings, and in the first place, for the capitol. I did not receive their letter till within about six weeks of the time they had fixed on, for receiving the drawings. Never theless, I engaged an excellent architect to comply with their de sire. It has taken much time to accommodate the external adopt ed, to the internal arrangement necessary for the three branches of government. However, it is effected on a plan, which, with a great deal of beauty and convenience within, unites an external form on the most perfect model of antiquity now existing. This is the Maison quarree of Nismes, built by Caius and Lucius Caesar, and repaired by Louis XIV., which, in the opinion of all who have seen it yields, in beauty, to no piece of architecture on earth. The gentlemen enclosed me a plan of which they had thought. The one preparing here, will be more convenient, give more room, and cost but two thirds of that : and as a piece of architecture, doing honor to our country, will leave nothing to be desired. The plans will be ready soon. But, two days ago, I received a letter from Virginia, informing me the first brick of the capitol would be laid within a few days. This .mortifies me extremely. The de lay of this summer, would have been amply repaid by the supe riority and economy of the plan preparing here. Is it impossible to stop the work where it is? You will gain money by losing what is done, and general approbation, instead of occasioning a regret, which will endure as long as your building does. How is a taste for a chaste and good style of building to be formed in our coun trymen, unless we seize all occasions which the erection of public buildings offers, of presenting to them models for their imitation ? Do, my Dear Sir, exert your influence to stay the further progress of the work, till you can receive these plans. You will only lose the price of laying what bricks are already laid, and of taking part of them asunder. They will do again for the inner walls. A plan for a prison will be sent at the same time.
Mazzei is here, and in pressing distress for money. I have helped him as far as I have been able, but particular circurristan-
