The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-02-18

great pyramid to dlvinciy instructed nrchi-
tects. presents The builders in more favorable
light they all lea?e unexplained the most inn
pressive features Of the colossal monument.
Josiah Qmiaey's Recoliections.
The late Josiah Quincy, who for more than
half century was conspicuous figure in the
social and political life Of Massachusetts, un-
dertook some years before his death to write
for the press series OF papers embodying his
"reminiscences OF men and things. These
papers are now republished in book form by the
Messrs Roberts. The writer had not and did
not profess to have. much literary skill. but his
recollections. many OF which are intrinsi-
cally entertaining. are set forth in clear.
STRAIGHTFORWARD. and agreeable way. I'm
like the great majority OF autobiography
cal sketches. whose readers sometimes divine
and continually suspect that the facts re-
counted were derived not from observation.
but from report. the present volume is n
record for the most part OF eontemporaneous
Impressions made on the author himself by the
persons and events described. Whenever. in
deed. an incident Is related Of which MIR.
Quincy was not an eyewitness he is careful to
note the henrsay character OF the evidence.
and usually specifies his authority. We need
not say that tho conviction OF authenticity i'm
planted in the reader by such methods OF auto
biographical WElllHs uuuS slkHdHy W tuo
joyment as well rs tho profit derivabe from
Mr.. Quincys "reminiscences.
Among the distinguished persons with whom
we are brought into close contact in this
book we have been specially Interested in
what MIR. Quincy has to tell us about John
Adams Lafayette and Daniel Webster. OF the
elder Adams the writer Of these sketches saw n
good deal when he was u boy attending school
in the town OF Quincy. There was not we are
assured. the smallest chip OF an iceberg in
tho composition" OF the second President.
There was on the other hand. "a shade more
formality" and "a SAVIOR Of patronage in the
demeanor of Mrs Adams. who, humorously
enough. seemed to pride herself more on
her parentage and descent from colonial
worthless than on her relation to the
man who had been Chief Magistrate OF
an independent nation. Mr.. Quincy could well
remember tho modest dinners ut the Presi
dents to which he brought a schooboy's appe-
title. In conformity with the custom OF the
time in Yankee land. a pudding composed OF
boiled corn meal always constituted the first
course. 1t being thought desirable TO iako tho
edge of Of ones hunger before reaching the
Joint. We are told. indeed. that in New Eng
land households 1t was considered wise to
stimulate the young to fill themselves with
pudding by the assurance that the boy who
most abundantly to the meat which was to
follow. Inasmuch as tho victor in such a con-
test would have but little relish fer the prize.
the economical results are evident.
Among the geanngs from the conversation
OF John Adams collected in Mr. Quincy's
journals are two or three which deserve pnr-
ticular attention. In 1920 some gentlemen
from the South. who had called upon the Presi-
dent. asked him his opinion Of Patrick Henry
and whothor the Virginian was not the greatest
orator he had ever heard The reply was: NO
gentlemen. Much Of Wirt's life of him is Il
romance. Why. have heard that eentleman's
father tponting to one who present. speak
in strain of coquence to which Patrick Henry
could never pretend" He paused and then
added: You know Virginian geese are always
swans" There is no doubt that this was Mr.
Adams's deliberate opinion for in q letter to
Henry's biographer he wrote: James Otis
electrified the town Of Boston the province Of
Massachusetts, Bay. and the whole continent
more than Patrick Henry ever did in tho whole
course Of his life"
Speaking of himself on one occasion. John
Adams said: They say l am vain. Thank
God am so. Vanity Is the cordial drop which
makes the bitter cup OF life 90 down. agree
with Mrs. Elizabeth Montague. who wrote to
her uncle. the Bishop. to inquire whether the
not wrongly translated. She thought 1t ought
to be All is vanity or vexation Of spirit She
implied that what was not vanity was sure to
be vexation and there am with her." Allud-
ing In 1922 to his son John Quincy Adams
the father said: He has very hard
laborious. and unh Apply life. though he
is envied by half tho people In the
United States for his talents and situation"
Whom subsequently tho news was brought to
him OF his sons election to the Presidency he
was greatly moved by the remark Of one OF the
persons present. who compared him to the
aged and famous athlete who was pronounced
by Scion the happiest OF men whom no expired
on hearing Of his sons victory at the Olympic
games. Yet. Notwithstanding the tears OF joy
which rolled down the old mans check. he said
presently: mo man who ever held the ONCE Of
President would congratulate friend on OBJ
tanning 1t. He will mako one man ungrateful
and hundred men his enemies for every office
no can bestow."
Mr.. Adams was once asked why we heard so
little OF Mr.. Dickinson. the author OF the
Farmers Letters " and one OF the signers Of
the Declaration. He became discouraged"
explained Mr.. Adams. and for some time was
one OF the most violent opposers OF the Declara-
ton Of Independence. He had wife and q
mother who we're both Quakers. and they tor
mented him exceedingly. telling him that he
was running himself and his country by the
course he was pursuing. II I had had such a
mother and such u wife. I believe should have
shot myself" Speaking Of Washington. Mr..
Adams said that his character stood upon a
Arm basis Of integrity. and must always re-
main unassailable. He doubted. however.
whether Washington was SO great statesman
as was popularity supposed He said: "Wssh-
ington died very rich. but gained his/prop-
erty In . fair way-by inheritance from