Litchfield enquirer., 1837-10-26
ANRcDoTE oR IoHM ADAaas.

Behind the house of John Adams lies meadow of some extent, with which .waa connected an anecdOte he himself vas wont
 10 relate. to the last days of his fife. We
 extract its narration from the History of Slulncy, the author of which had heard it
 from his Own lips. 1t is interesting, as
 showing from what accidental c;rcumstan., ces often spring the most important chan
 ges in the lives and fortunes of distinguished
 men. We only premise, that when young. l Presiden: Adams senior was but little at. tached to books. Study was to him an irksohlc task.
 When l was a boy, had to study the Latin Grammar, but it was dull and ! ha- ted it. My father was anxious to send me to college, and thereforeII studied Cram mar till could bear with it no longer, and going to my father, | told him I did not like to study, and asked for somO other employment. It was opposing his wishes, and he was quick in his answer. Well, John,' said he, if Latin Grammar does not suit you, you may try diiching- perhaps that will. My meadow yonder needs d ditch, aud you may put by Latin and cry that sai3 a'l >6# 4a 3ifn,
 'This seemed delightful change, and td the meadow l went. z But I soon found dltchng harder than. Latin; and the first forenoon was the longest ! ever experiA renced. That day | eat the bread of labor, and glad was | when night came on.-- That night l made some comparison bes l tween Latin Grammar and ditching, but said not word about it. \ dug tho next forenoon, and wanted to return to Latin at dinner, but it was humiliating and could not do it. Al night toll conquered pride, and told my falher-one of the seyerest trials of my life--ihat if he chose, would go back to Latin Grammar. He was glad oft; and if I have since gained any dis tinction. it has been owing to the two days labor iu that abominable di.ch.'
 77e Depressed Condition ef Fsmales.-. Miss Sarah M. Grimke is publishing a se- ries of letters in the Boston Spectator, in vindica,ion of the rights of woman who, she appears to think, are suffering very grievons disabilities in this country. Her ideas of what women ought to be, may be- intered from the examples she has given, of few who have snrmo1nted the obsta4 cles which impede the progress of woman towards that high state of mental cnltiva-r ton for which her Creator prepared her. She says haa at a5
 As the ago of knight-errantry declined, men began to take pride in learning, and women shared the advansages which this change produced. Women preached in public, supported controversies, published and defended theses, filled the chairs of phi- losophy and law, harangued the Popes in Latin, wrote Greek and read Hebrew.- Nuns wrote poetry, women of rank became divines, and young girls publicly exhorted Christian princes to take up arms for the recovery of the holy sepulchre. Hypa.ia, daughter of Theron of Alexandria, suc- ceeded her father in the government of the Platonic school, and filled with reputation sea. where many celebrated philosop phors had taught. The people regarded her as an oracle, and magistrates consulted her in ali important eases. No reproach was ev- CT uttered against the perfect purity of her manners. She was unembarrassed in large assemblies of men because their admiration was tempered with the most scrupulous re- spect. In the 18th century, . young lady of Bologna, pronounced Latin oration at the age figs. At 25, she took the degree of doctor of laws. and began publicly to expound Justinian. At 90, she was eieva- ted to professors chair, and taught the law to crowd of scholars from all nations. Italy produced many learned and gifted women. among whom perhaps mono was more celebrated thau Victoria Colonis. Marchioncss of Pescara. In Spain, Isa- bella of Rosera, converted Jews by her el- oquent preachiDg.' '.t
 Early Fruit.-There is one thing morS than usually vexations in this world of ours. and that is, to be at considerable pains in collecting early and choice varieties fruit. and befofe they can approach maturity, or yourself have touch of their real quality, to find them disappearing in tic maws of your idle neighbours sons, or in the pack of some yagabondizing commonsr. These things, however, must be expected bue there are many farmers who in the article of early fruit are as negligent IS those who expect to live on others orchards and gar- dens. Now there is no necessity for this. Any man who owns few rods of ground. can have, and should have, a supply of fruit for himself and family fruit of most varie< lies, and such as is adapted to all seasons. There is no propric.y in my pessering my heighbor for his early cherries, pears, or apples, when ! nny just as well have them of my own. Yet how many farmers shers are, and mechanics sRd professional men too, who havc orchards of their own, that go without the Junetings, Yellow Harvest. Sine qua non and Rough apples. and rich summer pears. or beg them of their neigh-