New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
DIARY OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

DIARY OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
MEMOIRS OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMs C0 COY FIX siS
Edited Ivy CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS Vol. VII o'o
PIP. 547 j. b. Lippneot u CO.
The interest of this installment OF Dir. Adamss
diary which embraces the first three years of his
Presidency is almost entirely of personal eharac-
ter. II records few political incidents discussions
of great moment, although it is not without COM
mcnts on some of the prominent public men of that
day. which are no less remarkable for their pun
eency than their frankness Mr. Adams was GER
tany good hater, and he takes pains to express
his antipathies in cautious or softened language.
MANY of his judgments have doubtless stood the
test of time while others may perhaps be ascribcd
to superficial impressions, the influence of tran
silent irritation and prejudice AT all events, he
was thoroughly honest in the utterance of his con-
vctions and exhibits no evidence of cowardce or
time serving. His of duty was no less con-
spcuOus than his love of country. lie was quick
vehement, impetuOus, irascibe, In spite oil n Ger
tain GOODNESS of exterior but see no proof that
he cherished his wrath at the expense OF sincerity,
nor can either his cOnscicntiousness or his patriotism
be fairly called in question. The volume throws
good deal of light on his private opinions and ms
personal habits. In matters of faith he was averse
to extremes and would not give his allegiance TO
any of the prevailing religious parties. Although
his father was one of the most earnest professors he
avowed himself as little satisfied with its prominent
tenets as with the traditional orthodoxy. In the ar
rangement of his studies and the care of his health
he was martinez although he was never able to
fully carry out his plans in practice. The principles
of hygiene found no more Jealous votary. lie ha-
bitually rose before the SuD and took his daily eXef
Csc in the open air by the light Of the stars or the
morning dawn. No weather prevented his early
plunge into the cooling waters OF the Potomac, and
as a swimmer he was prodigy for president
Mr.. Adams was often annoyed by the details OF
etiquette incident to his official position and did not
fail TO manifest his WEAKNESS in the records OF ms
Journal On one occasion he was invited to attend
cattleshow in the neighborhood of Baltimore. After
some hesitation he decided not to accept he ex-
presses his disgust with the whole affair in explicit
terms, 1t is apparent that the Society wish to
make the President of the United States part OF
their exhibition. To crafty this wish, must give
four days of my time no trifie OF expense and set
precedent for being claimed as an article of exhb
ton at all the cattle-shows throughout the UnlOn
From cattle-shows to other public meetings for pr-
poses Of utility exposures Of public sentiment the
transition is natural and easy. Invitations to them
would multiply from week to week. and every COM
plance would breed the necessity for numerous ex-
cuses and apologies Finally, this is no part of my
duties and duty must be neglected to attend to
st. Seest thou man diligent in has business p"
Soon after his entrance upon the presidency, ne
makes the following entry Entering upon a new
course of life momentous not alone TO myself, and
specially responsible to God to my country, and to
mankind. have intensely felt my obligation to de-
vote all my time and all my faculties to the discharge
of my duties. To this end have endeavored to
make regular distribution of time-which l have
ii ls..&. ,.t,,,No flty 70 nNA
cute. The ordinary day during the month has been
generally like that of April. My rising hour between
four and six. But the bathing season has come and
the heat of Summer which renders it necessary to
franspOse my hours of exercise from the afternoon,
before dinner, TO the morning, before breakfast.
This have done for the last three days. taking two
morning hours for bathing and swimming IN the
Potomac. NY diary has been more steadily kept up,
yet not without negligent interruption. lncesSant
Gnd distractingly various occupation continues to
ill the space between breakfast and dinner, and
most of the evenings wasted in deness OF at the
tillarl-tabe, q resource both for exercise and
amusement" His love of the water was not without
occasional danger Here is a description OF one OF
ms adventures i'll that kind
ATTEMPTED TO cross the river with Antoine III small
canoe with a view 10 across II to come back lie
took boat which had crossed last summer WIN
out accident The boat at the shore near an Ness
John who was with us thought the boat DANGEROUS and
Instead going with went and dressed III the ro9S
10 swim and meet in midway of the rveraS we sh0ud
be returning thought the boat safe enough OF Rather
persisted caTeessy in going without paving que atIe
hon IL its condition my watch u my son MADE
bundle of my ana waistcoat 10 take IN the boat WIN
ne PUT Oh my s"S i G T' sEed Before We had got
half across the the boat had leaked itself hall fui
then found there was nothing ON board 10 scoop
az the water and throw 1t just at that critical mo-
ncnt flesh breeze from the northwest blew down the
Ilycr a. from the Oi bellows. III I'VE minutes
time il made little tempest and set the boat 10 dancing
ull the came in al the sides | jumped overheard
nnd Antoine did the same, ana iosl hoiu W tme poa,
winch filled with water ana d1lted away we Welc az
near possible 10 the middle OF the RIVER ana swain 70
The Opposite shore. Antoine who was naked reached III
with little difficulty mad much more and WINE stuS-
Cling for life and gasPns Tor breath Ma mmpT ic 6
Guilty IN the loose sleeves o my Shir when nllcl
with water and hung like two 5d-pound weights upon
ever 10 Antoine After reaching the shore took on my
Antoine 70 20 and look out for clothes, OF for per
con the house for others and Tor the carriage
John Joined me- having wholly across the river,
expecting To returning with the boat Antoine
rrs,ed bridge sent man To my house Tor inc car
fiage made some saTch for the drfted boat and bun
pes, and found his own hat with lbs shrt ana braces III
H. and one of NV shoes. lie also BROUGHT over the bridge
my sons clothes, with my watch ana umbrella winch
Willie Antoine was gone John and were wadng and
swimming up and down on the other siOle or sitting ma
ted baskg on the bank at the margin OF the river JONI
Walked over bridge home. the carriage came, ana
Nook me and Antoine nome. half dressed lost an Ola
summer coat white wastcoat two napkins, TWO wme
bandkerchiefs. and shoe Antoine lost his
xatcn. Jacket waistcoat, pantaOons and shoes Inc
BOAT was also lost. BY the mercy OF Coo our
lives were spared, and no injury befe our per-
IONS We reached hOme about quarter before nlue,
having been ont nearly five hours. ktd been about
three the water but suffered no inconvenience
from IT, This incident gave Illuminating lesson ana
,olcmn warning not 10 rife with danger The reasons
upOn which Justify myself my daily swimming Ill the
rver did apply to this adventure Is neither nee
tss ry health for pleasure, tnat should
Iw across river, and having once sWuin across H.
could not want IL experiment OF practlcd-
bilty motives for swimming that or SHOW
Ing what must be discarded as spurious, ana
must strictly condne myself to the purposes oi heat
exercise, and sautary labor.