1851From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 22 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Graüs Ingenium dedit Musa. the Greeks refined and polished every thing. The Competition between Apelles and Protogenes, and its termination in Unchangeable Friendship is one of the most amiable Tales of Antiquity. Yet these keen Greeks must always have something marvellous; Something Supernatural. The Spunge, after all, wrought the miracle. The froth of the exhausted hound could not be hit,...
1852To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
What a gratification again have you bestowed upon me in your Letter of Febr. 7th. not never to mention ing the cadeau of which I disposed directly with the next mail, as you intended—and which Shall I doubt not, be highly acceptable to Monticello’s Philosopher. It Seems—I see you in all your grandeur in your Superb castle—and yet the most admirable part was its owner—I Should Saÿ so, as once...
1853From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 26 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Where the Fine Arts are Studied or practiced there Should be a Trybunal of Criticism always in Session, before which every new production Should be arraigned and tried; by no other laws however than Truth or Nature, and no other penalty than Reputation in the public Opinion. “Are We not in too great a hurry, in our Zeal for the fine Arts”? This is as noble and beautiful a question, as that of...
1854From John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, 27 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
I have been So much gratified with the Specimen of your Register, which you were So kind as to Send me and I recollect So many Extracts from it, that I had Seen in the Newspapers, that I wish to possess the whole. If you will get the thirteen Volumes, including the Index, decently and Solidly bound, without Elegance and transmitted to me, I will find means to transmit You your own Price. There...
1855From John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 27 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
Are the works of Apuileus in Harvard College Library or in any other collection in America Have you read his Metamorphosis which he calls his Ass of Gold, his Assinus Aureus, or Asinus Runi.” Among these novels, fables, tales or whatever you please to call them, is his Amours of Cupid and Psyche. Have you read Molier’s Psyche? Have read La Fontaines Psyche? Have you seen a splendid translation...
1856To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 28 February 1817 (Adams Papers)
My son was particularly gratified with your account of Governor Pownal. His Impressions towards his Character from reading his Work on the Administration of the colonies, were favourable, though vague. He remarked to me, strongly, how valuable your Letters were, as in this Instance you had given several facts which probably no other Person now living was acquainted with, and which at some...
1857To John Adams from John Trumbull, 3 March 1817 (Adams Papers)
You will forgive my having so long delay’d to reply to your very kind letter of January 1st., when you know that I have waited until I could write with certainty: and I did not feel that I could do this, until I knew the decision of the house of Representatives on the agreement made with me by the President:—the passing of the Appropriation bill by that house, including a Sum on account of...