Perhaps, in that super-mundane region, we may
be amused with seeing the fallacy of our own guesses, and even the
nothingness of those labors which have filled and agitated our own time
here.
_En attendant_, with sincere affections to Mrs. Adams and yourself, I
salute you both cordially.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXLIV.--TO JOHN ADAMS, November 13, 1818
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Monticello, November 13, 1818.
The public papers, my dear friend, announce the fatal event of which
your letter of October the 20th had given me ominous foreboding.
Tried myself in the school of affliction, by the loss of every form of
connection which can rive the human heart, I know well, and feel what
you have lost, what you have suffered, are suffering, and have yet to
endure. The same trials have taught me that, for ills so immeasurable,
time and silence are the only medicine. I will not, therefore, by
useless condolences, open afresh the sluices of your grief, nor,
although mingling sincerely my tears with yours, will I say a word more
where words are vain, but that it is of some comfort to us both, that
the term is not very distant, at which we are to deposit in the same
cerement our sorrows and suffering bodies, and to ascend in essence to
an ecstatic meeting with the friends we have loved and lost, and whom we
shall still love, and never lose again. God bless you, and support you
under your heavy affliction.
Pages:
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525