51Elizabeth Cranch to Abigail Adams, 9 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
You will percieve by the date of this that I am at H——: last thursday I arrived here. My Visit is to Miss White. She has spent the Summer in Boston, and has been attempting to learn Musick, like myself. She has brought her instrument to H—— and sent me an invitation to come and pass a few months with her, and learn of her Master, who is a Man acquaintd with Musick, but not with much beside. He...
52John Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
Being much ignorant of the republican distinctions of preeminency in title, as well as of American etiquette in general, I must anticipate your pardon for any errors in that kind, while I acknowledge the honor of your Excellency’s obliging letter and present of books: Both have afforded me great satisfaction; only the latter moving now and then, to some untempered gusts of resentment against...
53John Cranch to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1787 (Adams Papers)
I should have addressed your excellency sooner, but that my mind, which is the weakest —(or, as I had rather settle your excellency’s idea of it, the most delicate )—thing in the world, has been for sometime suspended between the contrary fears—of trespassing upon your more important attentions, on the one hand, or against the obligations of gratitude & decorum, on the other: The last has,...
54John Cranch to Abigail Adams, [ca. 23 June 1787] (Adams Papers)
Substance of miss Palmer’s account of the University exhibition at Cambridge, the 10 th. of April: To J.C. “—— preceded by a band of Music, consisting of such of the pupils as had a taste for Music—among whom were John and Charles Adams and William Cranch: When the president and governors arrived, the exercises began in the following order: 1 st. Forensic dispute in english:—subject—’whether...
55John Cranch to Abigail Adams, 11 April 1788 (Adams Papers)
Understanding by my sister Elworthy, that your Excellency complains of having read yourself out of books, I am tempted to send you down the latest publication that I can find promises amusement enough to justify me; and accordingly I have to intreat your excellency’s acceptance of “Costigan’s view of society and manners in Portugal.” I was just now in hopes to have gratified your excellency...
56Lucy Cranch to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1786 (Adams Papers)
Your obligeing Letter of July th’ 20, was duly recieved—those repeated attentions to me deserve my earliest acknowledgments. Grateful indeed to my heart are those sentiments of affection which you so kindly express for me. Tho in some things I may appear indifferent, yet in this I feel, that I am not. Smith says “that the cheif part of human happiness, consists in the consciousness of being...
57Lucy Cranch to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I last week recieved your invaluable favour of August 27. by Mr. Storer. I wish it was in my power to return you any thing that would be any way equivelent to it, if there are any of your Letters Madam, (which I am very sure there is not) that will bear to be ranked with Whiped Sulububs Flumery &c. in what rank must mine be placed. Far very far below them. Believe me Madam your Letter to me...
58Lucy Cranch to Abigail Adams, 18 August 1787 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few hasty lines, from Boston the Monday before Commencement, inclosing two news-papers which Mr Jinks was to carry, I went to Cambridge that afternoon: I heard in the evening that Calahan had arrived. I never hear of a ships arrival from London, but what I feel a mixture of pain with the pleasure, ’till we have got the Letters— I always tremble when they are opened. I never felt...
59Lucy Cranch to Abigail Adams, 19 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
Indeed my ever honoured Aunt I should have been much disapointed if my Cousin had not brought me a letter from you. Your pen Madam is never so far exhausted that every sentence that falls from it does not yeild pleasure or instruction. In your letters indeed those qualities are so happily blended that we cannot take from the one without distroying the other. I hope before this you have heard...
60Lucy Cranch to Abigail Adams, 24 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
How good you are my dear Aunt, to favour me so often with your charming Letters, you cannot think how proud I am of them. I read them very often. I hope I shall even be the better for the instructions contained in them, and catch some of that warm regard for honour and virtue which shows itself in every sentence. What an idea do you give us of high life in Europe. Is it possible that beings...