THE SECRET LOVES OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS

More than one book has sold well on the basis of an intriguing title. This ne, with its implication that the Founding Fathers were Founding Bounders, may move this off the shelves. However, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Gouverneur Morris and Hamilton represent such well-worked territory that these ""secrets"" have been around for a long time and will surprise few steady readers. George Washington's unconsummated rush on the married Sally Fairfax spawned one historical novel only last season. Franklin's libidinous youth and randy old age were a matter of pride in his own life time. Jefferson had a typically cerebral affair with a married painter in Paris after he had been widowed. Bachelor Gouverneur Morris also succumbed to the Parisian pastime while he was there and his diary entries are waggishly coy but hardly a revelation. Hamilton was blackmailed after his marriage, and, according to Mrs. John Adams, had "" eyes."" The author is Emeritus Professor of Diplomatic History at Georgetown University and he brings a breathlessly, non-academic prose style to these moments of small amour in the lives of great men--- Ibid---- ""he knew instinctively that beauty such as hers had evoked from many warm hearts the same songs of love that the skylark forth each morning to greet the miracle of the dawn."" Awww Perfesser!