Adams Family Correspondence, volume 7

Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch

Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr.

John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 7 April 1786 JQA Cranch, Elizabeth Norton, Elizabeth Cranch

1786-04-07

John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch, 7 April 1786 Adams, John Quincy Cranch, Elizabeth Norton, Elizabeth Cranch
John Quincy Adams to Elizabeth Cranch
Cambrige April 7th: 1786

My things, are yet pretty much in Confusion, and I do not expect to get well settled till the next Quarter. I find much more, to do here than I expected; it is true that every persons who chooses, may be idle 3 days in the 6; but every one may also, find full sufficient employment if he chooses. Mr: Williams's Philosophical Lectures, began, Tuesday the 28th: of last month; we have already, had four, and shall have another this day. This alone takes up, between 3 and 4 hours of my time, each day, that he gives us a Lecture. I am contented with my Situation, as indeed I almost always am, and if I was 135not obliged to lose so much of my time, in attending to the mere ceremonies here, I should be still more happy. I have computed that between 5 and 6 hours are taken up, every day, at Prayers and recitations; but we can't have all things to our will. So much for myself; now let me assume a better subject. We do not know yet whether your brother will go immediately to Haverhill, at the beginning of the Vacation, or wait till the week after;1 to speak as an egoist, I say, the sooner the better; though others would doubtless have as good a right to say the contrary. I want very much to see Haverhill, but suppose I shall not till the Summer Vacation.2

In your Last3 you promised, to raise a smile, and I have been expecting it ever since: but there was one part of your Letter which I could not understand: you talk about raising a frown, which you cannot do; and as I know you have too much Sense, to pretend to perform impossibilities, I suppose, that from some mistake, or absence of mind, you put that word instead of some other.

RC (MHi: Jacob Norton Papers); addressed: “Miss E Cranch. Haverhill.”

1.

William Cranch went home to Braintree at the beginning of the college vacation (Richard Cranch to AA, 13 April, below).

2.

JQA went to Haverhill on 26 July and stayed until 5 Aug. ( Diary , 2:71–75).

3.

Not found.