consider these as frivolous inquiries. But till further encouraged I will check the laudable curiosity of my sex: yet not deny that a full share thereof occupies the bosom of your sincere Friend and very Humble servant,

M. WARREN

Of Genl. Warren's compliments and best wishes General Knox and Lady may ever be assured.

ABIGAIL ADAMS TO MERCY WARREN

LONDON, May 14, 1787

MY DEAR MADAM, I have lately been reading Mrs. Montague's essays upon the Genious and writings of Shakspear,1 and I am so well pleased with them; that I take the Liberty of presenting them to you. the Lady is still living, a widow,2 and possessd of an ample fortune, without any children. She has a Nephew who bears the same name and has lately been returnd a Member to Parliament. I should have wished to have formed an acquaintance with her, if I had not learnt that she was a violent Anti American, tho a sister of a Mr. Robinson who has written some things in favour of our Country, and who has always been Friendly

to our cause.

3

I have resided in this Country near two years and in that time, I have made some few acquaintance whom I esteem and shall leave with regret, but the customs and manners of a Metropolis are unfriendly to that social intercourse which I have ever been accustomed to. Amusement and diversion may always be purchased at the Theatres and places of public resort, so that little pains is taken to cultivate that benevolence and interchange of kindness which sweetens life, in lieu of which mere visits of form are substituted to keep up the union; not only the wrinkled brow 1 Mrs. Elizabeth (Robinson) Montague (1720-1800). Her volume on Shakespeare, which reached a third edition in England and was translated into French and Italian, was in answer to some contemptuous allusions to Shakespeare by Voltaire.

2 Her husband was Edward Montague, a grandson of Edward Montague, first Earl of Sandwich (1625-1672). He died May 12, 1775.

3 Matthew Robinson (1713-1800).

of age is grasping at the card table and even tricking with mean avarice, but the virgin bloom of innocence and beauty is withered at the same vigils. I do not think I should draw a false picture of the Nobility and Gentry of this Metropolis, if I was to assert, that Money and pleasure are the sole objects of their ardent persuit, publick virtue, and indeed all virtue is exposed to sale, and as to principle, where is it to be found, either in the present administration, or opposition? Luxury, dissapation and vice, have a natural tendency to extirpate every generous principle, and leave the Heart susceptable of the most malignant vices, to the total absence of principle must be asscribed the conduct of the Heir apparant to the British Throne, which is the Subject of much speculation at this Moment. the World have supposed that a Marriage had taken place between the prince, and a Lady known by the Name of Fitzherbert,' whom for three years he persued, driving her for more than half that time out of her country to avoid him, as she was in independent circumstances, of an ancient and respectable family; of a Fair Character and honorable connections every person presumed her married to him, tho contrary to the established Laws of the Land, and this not only by a Catholick priest, but a protestant one too, every step for more than a Year has confirmed this Idea, as the Lady has attended him; not only to the Watering places, but into all publick, and private parties, and at the prince's request has been countananced by the first persons in the Kingdom, and the publick papers have announced the report and given credit to it uncontradicted throughout Europe. but now at a time when he wishes to be relieved from the load of debt he has contracted, and finds that this affair is like to become a subject of parlimentary discussion, he authorizes Charles Fox (A Man as unprincipald as the prince) to declare the whole story a Malicious falsehood, and in the most explicit terms to deny even the Shadow of a Marriage. yet not a person whom I have heard mention the subject since believes; a syllable of mr Fox's assertion thus does this young Man set both Law and Decency at defiance; his Friends are even so barefaced

I Maria Anne Fitzherbert (1756-1837), wife of George IV, was daughter of Walter Smythe of Brambridge, Hampshire.

as to pretend that no connextion but of the platonick kind has ever subsisted between them, he a mere Scipio and she a vestal. what a prospect for this Country! what a prostration of Honour and virtue! the Heir Apparant, frequenting the Haunts of intemperance and vice, his greatest intimates sycophants and knaves, appearing in company so disguised as to lose himself, and commit the greatest rudeness, which was the case not a Month since, yet when sober really possessing the outward appearance of a well bred Gentleman. by some he is held up as a Man of Learning and abilities, but of this I cannot learn any Specimens; not even a refinement in his vices, since he is branded with a taste, for the lowest and most vulgar.

but I will quit him, since I shall never owe him; either honour or Allegence, and will turn my attention to my own Country, which tho not terrified with the prospect of a proffligate prince to govern it, appears to be in an untranquilized state, embarressed in its Finances, distrest in its commerce and unbalanced in its Governments, but I have Faith that will remove Mountains, and as distress and difficulties in private life, are frequently spurs to dilligence, so have we seen publick industry excited in the same manner, during the late War. Success crowned our efforts and gave us Independance. our misfortune is that there we became indolent and intoxicated; Luxury with ten thousand evils in her train, exiled the humble virtues, Industry and frugality, were swallowed up in dissipation.

"but it is not upon Record," says a late writer, "that any state was ever yet so exhausted, but that whilst it enjoyed Liberty it might draw new resources from its own vitals, Though the tree is lopped, yet so long as the root remains unhurt, it will through out a greater Luxuriancy of Branches, produce fruits of better flavour and derive fresh vigor from the ax."

Why, my Dear Madam, may we not console ourselves with Ideas of this kind, instead of giving way to despondency? I was very happy to learn that my young Friend Harry distinguishd himself with the ardour of a patriot, and the zeal of a good Citizen in accompanying General Lincoln in his late expedition. had Pericles lived in the present day, he could not have made the

boast, which he does in his funeral oration over the Athenians, saying that they were the only people, who thought those who did not lend their assistance in State affairs, not indolent, but good for Nothing. it is indeed a pleasing presage of future good, when the most promising youth, shrink not from danger, through a fondness for those delights, which a peaceful affluent Life bestows "but bare their bold breast, and pour their generous Blood" esteeming it a dishonour that their Country should stand in need of any thing which their valour can acchive.

I long, my dear Madam, to return to my native land. My little Cottage encompassed with my Friends has more charms for me than the Drawing Room of St. James, where studied civility, and disguised coldness cover malignant Hearts.

I will not close this letter without informing you that I am — a grand - o no! that would be confesing myself old, which would be quite unfashionable and vulgar; but true it is, I have a fine grandson.1 I regret a little that it was not a Daughter, for then I would have claimd the little one for the great one. Mrs. Smith desires me to present her respectfull compliments to you, with thanks for your kind and Friendly Letter, which she will notice as soon as she is able. be so good as to present my regards to the Genll, and all your worthy family. I must acquit myself of a promise made to a Young Gentleman, who requested me when I wrote to you, to lay him respectfully at your feet, by which I presume he meant that I should express, the high esteem and profound veneration, which he always professes towards you, and I knew not how to do it better: than by giving you his own words. I dare say you will be at no loss to recollect this Gentleman by the Name of Shipping; who is as genteel well Bred a Youth as any one from our Country, and who is quite at home with us as well as his companion Mr. Cutting, who I think will make a figure in Life, as he has both abilities and application.

I know not what to say for my companion that he has not written a single Letter by this opportunity, but that he is so much engaged in travelling through the Itallian Republicks that I cannot draw of his attention, except only to official Letters.

I William Steuben Smith.

he says his Friends must accept his printed letters. I will not apoligize for the length of my Letter, concious as I am of all my Sins of omission, but be assured dear Madam, that neither a want of affection or Regard are in the number, for those my Heart shall not reproach Your assured Friend,

ABIGAIL ADAMS

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS ADAMS MSS.

MILTON, N. E., May 18th, 1787

DEAR SIR, I Thank you for your favour of Jany. 9th and for the very valuable Present which accompanied it. I have read your Book with great pleasure as well as Information. The Avidity of the rest of the Family to read it has prevented a second perusal, which I enjoy in prospect. I do not recollect a single Sentiment different from my own, except we might differ a little with respect to the first Magistrate, and perhaps not very essentially. I do not wish to see him surrounded with the Pomp, Parade and Magnificence of an European Prince; but I should be willing he should have an Addition of some real powers he is not now possessed of; but I think I should hardly agree that an Unqualified Negative upon the Law should be among them, because I think a Limited one like ours more agreable to reason and quite adequate to all the purposes of a Check and a Ballance. if I should say there are no faults to be found in your Book, you would consider it as flattery. if I say there are very few, and those not very Essential, you will think me honest. but at the same time that I make a Compliment to the whole performance, if I mention one of the greatest, you will Consider it as the dictate of Friendship. You say there are as yet no Appearances of Artificial Inequalities of Condition, etc. That may be true, because the Barefaced and Arrogant System of the Cincinnati Association is not fully matured, but it is rapidly progressing. The People, who have no Stability, who equally forget Benefits and Injuries, have almost forgot this Insolent Attempt at distinction and are Introducing the Members into the Legislature,