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ceeds shall be solely and sacredly applied as a sinking fund, to dis charge the capiial only of the debt.
It is true that the tobaccos of Virginia go almost entirely to England. The reason is, the people of that State owe a great debt there, which they are paying as fast they can. I think I have now answered your several queries, and shall be happy to receive your reflections on the same subjects, and at all times to hear of your welfare, and to give you assurances of the esteem, with which 1 have the honor to be, Dear Sir,
your most obedient
and most humble servant,
TH : JEFFERSON.
LETTER CXX VIII.
TO J. BANNISTER, JUNIOR.
Paris, October 15, 1785.
DEAR SIR,
I should sooner have answered the paragraph in your letter, of September the 19th, respecting the best seminary for the educa tion of youth, in Europe, but that it was necessary for me to make inquiries on the subject. The result of these has been, to consi der the competition as resting between Geneva and Rome. They are equally cheap, and probably are equal in the course of educa tion pursued. The advantage of Geneva, is, that students acquire there the habit of speaking French. The advantages of Rome, are, the acquiring a local knowledge of a spot so classical and so celebrated ; the acquiring the true pronunciation of the Latin language ; a just taste in the fine arts, more particularly those of painting, sculpture, architecture, and music ; a familiarity with those objects and processes of agriculture, which experience has shewn best adapted to a climate like ours; and lastly, the ad vantage of a fine climate for health. It is probable, too, that by being boarded in a French family, the habit of speaking that language may be obtained. I do not count on arty advantage to be derived in Geneva, from a familiar acquaintance with the principles of that government. The late revolution has rendered it a tyrannical aristocracy, more likely to give ill, than good ideas to an American. I think the balance in favor of Rome. Pisa is sometimes spoken of, as a place of education. But it does not VOL. i. 44
