John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

6. Rose between eight and nine this morning— This irregularity proves the difficulty which I shall experience in settling a steady rising hour— I now attribute the varieties which continually occur to the severe Cold, under which I am still labouring— I took however my six miles walk, before Breakfast— As I was returning I met Mr Bezerra, upon the Square— He told me the Turkish Peace was to be signed the 15th.— I had a morning visit from Mr Montreal; and in the Evening, we had visits from Madam Bezerra, and Captain Guédiz— I read the 16th: Oration of Isocrates—on the Chariot Horses— It is in the person of a Son of Alcibiades, upon a suit of Tisias to recover the horses, as having been extorted from him by Alcibiades— The Son, (whose name does not appear in the Speech) says that his father bought the horses of the Argives; and that this suit was brought against him, only to increase the odium against his father who had been banished, and had perished— The whole Oration is a defence of the Character of Alcibiades.— It seems to be an address to the People, and against a public accusation— But why was the Cause tried before the people? and what is meant by the pretence that Alcibiades had extorted the horses?— The English Translator tells us nothing about this. The Oration is peculiarly interesting, as it exhibits a man obviously innocent, struggling against the oppression of popular Odium brought upon him by his father; yet exerting his best faculties to extricate his fathers fame, from that Odium— It contains many particulars about Alcibiades, and sets out with filial affection and piety all the fair parts of his character— I also finished reading the fourth Book of Manilius which contains an account of the influence of each sign of the Zodiac, upon the character of those born under it, and also upon the different parts of the Earth— There is a tolerably minute geographical description of the world then known— But as none of the Signs are reserved for the superintendence of the Terrae incognitae, the American Hemisphere has no patrons or foes among the Constellations— In the Evening I read a little in the Appendix to the Itinéraire, and began d’Anville’s dissertation upon antient Jerusalem.— This was the festival of St Catherine— A day upon which it has been customary for a diplomatic Circle to be held at Court— This day however there was none.