In 1784, the recently widowed Thomas Jefferson set sail for Paris. As the new nation's minister to France he was expected to deal with the politicians in the court of King Louis XVI, but he was not prepared for the likes of Maria Cosway. Enchantingly beautiful, sophisticated, and witty, this Italian-born woman captured the handsome Virginian's heart. Their romance—lasting more than three years—is recorded in these private billets-doux between the shy American minister and his precocious bonne femme. Presented here for the first time in an accessible and attractive edition are over forty letters that reveal the innermost Jefferson.
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Part 3 The Jefferson-Cosway Letters Chapter 4 A Day of Contradiction Chapter 5 A Painful Night Chapter 6 Remembering the Charming Days Chapter 7 Hoping for News Chapter 8 The Head and the Heart Converse Chapter 9 Better a Little Than None Chapter 10 One of My First Pleasures Chapter 11 No Patience to Wait Chapter 12 Transported in a Pocket Chapter 13 Anxiously Awaiting Chapter 14 Food For My Soul Chapter 15 Wishing Myself With You Chapter 16 Melancholy By Nature Chapter 17 An Enfant Gatée Chapter 18 Miserable at Losing You Chapter 19 It Seems a Dream Chapter 20 Feeling the Loss with Displeasure Chapter 21 Avoiding Second Good-Byes Chapter 22 The Pain of Leaving Paris Chapter 23 A Little Corner of Your Heart Chapter 24 Think of Me Often and Warmly, As I Do of You Chapter 25 Still Angry Chapter 26 In Affection, You Are Greatly My Debtor Chapter 27 Addressing a Stranger—Longing to Return Chapter 28 A Spontaneous Inclination Chapter 29 Maria In Waiting Chapter 30 Love Me Much and Love Me Always Chapter 31 Be to Me What You Have Been Chapter 32 A Little Journey for So Much Pleasure Chapter 33 The Way Will Ever Be Wrong Which Leads Us Farther Apart Chapter 34 Envious of Those Who Converse With You Chapter 35 A Little Corner in Your Affection Chapter 36 You Say So Much in Few Words Chapter 37 Your Bosom Calm and Soft to Me Chapter 38 Feeding on Your Friendship Chapter 39 Longing for a Letter Chapter 40 A Sad Scrawl, Answering Your Charming Letters Chapter 41 Comfort Me in Going; Encourage Me Returning Chapter 42 Think of Me Sometimes Chapter 43 We Think Last of Those We Love Most Chapter 44 The Privation of Your Letters Chapter 45 Divided By a Wide Sea Part 46 Locations of the Jefferson-Cosway Letters Part 47 Bibliography
Overview
In 1784, the recently widowed Thomas Jefferson set sail for Paris. As the new nation's minister to France he was expected to deal with the politicians in the court of King Louis XVI, but he was not prepared for the likes of Maria Cosway. Enchantingly beautiful, sophisticated, and witty, this Italian-born woman captured the handsome Virginian's heart. Their romance—lasting more than three years—is recorded in these private billets-doux between the shy American minister and his precocious bonne femme. Presented ...