 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO MRS. SHAW.
I have been situated here for nearly six weeks. It
is one of the finest squares in London. The air is
as pure as it can be so near a great city. It is but
a small distance from Hyde Park, round which I
sometimes walk, but oftener ride. It resembles
Boston Common, much larger, and more beautified
with trees. On one side of it is a fine river. St.
James's Park and Kensington Gardens are two other
fashionable walks, which I am very sensible I ought
to improve oftener than I do. One wants society in
these places. Mrs. Temple is the only person near
me with whom I can use the freedom of calling
small regret, I am going to lose. Mrs. Hay resides
out at Hampstead, about four miles from London.
We visit, but they have such a paltry custom of
dining here at night, that it ruins that true American
sociability which only I delight in. Polite circles
are much alike throughout Europe. Swift's "Journal
of a Modern Lady," though written sixty years
ago, is perfectly applicable to the present day; and,
though noted as the changeable sex, in this scene of
dissipation they have been steady. I shall never
have much society with this kind of people, for
they would not like me any more than I do them.
They think much more of their titles here than in
France. It is not unusual to find people of the
highest rank there, the best bred and the politest
people. If they have an equal share of pride, they
know better how to hide it. Until I came here, I
had no idea what a national and illiberal inveteracy
the English have against their better behaved neighbours,
and I feel a much greater partiality for them
than I did whilst I resided among them. I would
recommend to this nation a little more liberality and
discernment; their contracted sentiments lead them
to despise all other nations. Perhaps I should be
chargeable with the same narrow sentiments, if I
give America the preference over these old European
nations. In the cultivation of the arts and improvement
in manufactures, they greatly excel us; but
we have native genius, capacity, and ingenuity,
equal to all their improvements, and much more
scarcely form an idea how much superior our common
people, as they are termed, are to those of the
same rank in this country. Neither have we that
servility of manners, which the distinction between
nobility and citizens gives to the people of this
country. We tremble not, either at the sight or
name of majesty. I own that I never felt myself
in a more contemptible situation, than when
I stood four hours together for a gracious smile
from majesty, a witness to the anxious solicitude of
those around me for the same mighty boon. I however
had a more dignified honor, as his Majesty
deigned to salute me. I have not been since to the
drawing-room, but propose going to the next. As
the company are chiefly out of town, the ceremony
will not be so tedious.
As to politics, the English continue to publish the
most abusive, barefaced falsehoods against America
that you can conceive of; yet, glaring as they are,
they gain credit here, and they shut their eyes
against a friendly and liberal intercourse. Yet
their very existence depends upon a friendly union
with us. How the pulse of the ministry beats,
time will unfold; but I do not promise or wish to
myself a long continuance here. Such is the temper
of the two nations towards each other, that, if
we have not peace, we must have war. We cannot
resign the intercourse, and quit each other. I hope,
however, that it will not come to that alternative.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |