 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
I have little time for writing now, I have so
many visiters. I hardly know how to think myself
out of my own country, I see so many Americans
about me. The first persons who called to see me
Warren, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Ward Boylston, Mrs.
Atkinson, and yesterday morning before I had breakfasted,
(for the fashionable hours of the city had
taken hold of me, not out of choice but necessity;
Miss A. having a hairdresser. I had directed breakfast
at nine o'clock; it was ten, however, but those
were early visiting hours for this fine city, yet,) whilst
I was breakfasting, who should be announced to me
but Parson Walter and Mrs. Hallowell?[5] both appeared
very glad to see me. Mrs. Hallowell treated
me with her old affability and engaged me to dine
with her to-day; "not," says she, "to a feast, for
we make none; but to an unceremonious family
dinner. Luxury," says she, "is the mode, but we
know, too, how to practise frugality and economy."
I am not a little surprised to find dress, unless
upon public occasions, so little regarded here. The
gentlemen are very plainly dressed, and the ladies
much less so than with us. 'T is true, you must put
a hoop on and have your hair dressed, but a common
straw hat, no cap, with only a ribbon upon the crown,
is thought dress sufficient to go into company. Muslins
are much in taste; no silks but lutestrings worn;
but send not to London for any article you want;
you may purchase any thing you can name much
lower in Boston. I went yesterday into Cheapside
to purchase a few articles, but found every thing
manner so; they say, when they are exported, there
is a drawback upon them which makes them lower
with us. Our country, alas, our country! they are
extravagant to astonishment in entertainments compared
with what Mr. Smith and Mr. Storer tell me
of this. You will not find at a gentleman's table
more than two dishes of meat, though invited
several days beforehand. Mrs. Atkinson went out
with me yesterday, and Mrs. Hay, to the shops. I
returned and dined with Mrs. Atkinson, by her invitation
the evening before, in company with Mr.
Smith, Mrs. Hay, Mr. Appleton. We had a turbot,
a soup, and a roast leg of lamb, with a cherry pie.
I was more gratified by the social, friendly style in
which I was treated, than if a sumptuous feast had
been set before me. Mr. Gorham, a Dr. Parker, Mr.
Bromfield, and a Mr. Murray from the Hague, came
to see me yesterday morning; and, when I returned
last evening, I found cards left by a number of gentlemen,
some of whom I knew, others I did not; but,
knowing Mr. Adams, and being Americans, they
called to make their compliments. Prentice Cushing
I met with yesterday at Mr. A.'s. I am going to-day
to see Mr. Copley's pictures. I am told he has an excellent
likeness of Mr. Adams. Mr. Murray informed
me, that he left Mr. Adams last Friday excessively
anxious for my arrival. He had removed Mr. Dumas
and family in expectation of my coming. He
says, John, with whom he went to the Hague, was
melancholy when Callaghan arrived without me, and
to acquaint him with my being here, but hope every
hour to see him or Master John.
The wind has prevented the arrival of the post.
The city of London is pleasanter than I expected;
the buildings more regular, the streets much wider,
and more sunshine than I thought to have found;
but this, they tell me, is the pleasantest season to
be in the city. At my lodgings I am as quiet as at
any place in Boston; nor do I feel as if it could be
any other place than Boston. Dr. Clark visits us
every day; says he cannot feel at home anywhere
else; declares he has not seen a handsome woman
since he came into the city; that every old woman
looks like Mrs. H—, and every young one like—
like the D—l. They paint here nearly as much
as in France, but with more art. The head-dress
disfigures them in the eye of an American. I have
seen many ladies, but not one elegant one since I
came; there is not to me that neatness in their appearance,
which you see in our ladies.
The American ladies are much admired here by
the gentlemen, I am told, and in truth I wonder not
at it. O, my country, my country! preserve, preserve
the little purity and simplicity of manners you
yet possess. Believe me, they are jewels of inestimable
value; the softness, peculiarly characteristic
of our sex, and which is so pleasing to the gentlemen,
is wholly laid aside here for the masculine
attire and manners of Amazonians.
This moment a very polite card is delivered me
lodgings to her house whilst I continue in London;
to which I have replied, with thanks, excusing myself,
that I am very well accommodated, and in
hourly expectation of my son; not the less obliged,
however, by her politeness. Mr. Elworthy I have
not yet seen, though I have had several messages
from him. This is not owing to inattention in him,
but to being informed that every thing was done for
me before my arrival, which I stood in need of. Our
ship is not yet got up the Channel; what a time we
should have had of it, if we had not landed. Mr.
Smith expects to sail on Monday or Tuesday; I shall
keep open this letter until he goes; let sister Shaw
see it, and read such parts as you think proper to
the rest of our friends; but do not let it go out of
your hands. I shall not have time to write to the
rest of my friends; they must not think hardly of
me; I could only repeat what I have here written,
and I think it is best to have the whole budget together;
besides, Abby writes to all her acquaintance,
which must answer for me. Remember me
to them all; first, to my dear and aged parent,[6] to
whom present my duty; to Dr. Tufts, to my aunt,
to uncle Quincy, to Mr. Wibird, to all my friends
and neighbours.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |