 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN ADAMS.[1]
I think I write to you every day. Shall not I make
my letters very cheap? Don't you light your pipe
with them? I care not if you do. 'T is a pleasure
to me to write. Yet I wonder I write to you with
so little restraint, for as a critic I fear you more than
any other person on earth, and 't is the only character
in which I ever did or ever will fear you. What
say you? Do you approve of that speech? Don't
you think me a courageous being? Courage is a
laudable, a glorious virtue in your sex, why not in
mine? For my part, I think you ought to applaud
me for mine.
And now, pray tell me, how you do? Do you
feel any venom working in your veins? Did you
ever before experience such a feeling? (This letter
will be made up with questions, I fancy, not set in
order before you, neither.) How do you employ
yourself? Do you go abroad yet? Is it not cruel
to bestow those favors upon others, which I should
rejoice to receive, yet must be deprived of?
I have lately been thinking whether my mamma
—when I write again I will tell you something.
Did not you receive a letter to-day by Hannes?
This is a right girl's letter,—but I will turn to
the other side and be sober, if I can.
But what is bred in the bone will never be out of
the flesh, (as Lord M. would have said.)
As I have a good opportunity to send some milk,
I have not waited for your orders, lest, if I should
miss this, I should not catch such another. If you
want more balm, I can supply you.
Adieu;—evermore remember me with the tenderest
affection, which is also borne unto you by
your
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |