DEAR SIR,—­I love to receive letters very well; much better than I love to write them.  I make but a poor figure at composition, my head is too fickle, my thoughts are running after birds eggs play and trifles, till I get vexed with myself.  Mamma has a troublesome task to keep me steady, and I own I am ashamed of myself.  I have but just entered the third volume of Smollett, tho’ I had designed to have got it half through by this time.  I have determined this week to be more diligent, as Mr. Thaxter will be absent at Court, and I cannot pursue my other studies.  I have Set myself a Stent and determine to read the 3rd volume Half out.  If I can but keep my resolution, I will write again at the end of the week and give a better account of myself.  I wish, Sir, you would give me some instructions, with regard to my time, and advise me how to proportion my Studies and my Play, in writing, and I will keep them by me, and endeavor to follow them.  I am, dear Sir, with a present determination of growing better, yours.

P.S.—­Sir, if you will be so good as to favor me with a Blank Book, I will transcribe the most remarkable occurances I meet with in my reading, which will serve to fix them upon my mind.

FROM THE MEMOIRS

(At the Age of Eighteen)

April 26th, 1785.—­A letter from Mr. Gerry of Feb. 25th Says that Mr. Adams is appointed Minister to the Court of London.

I believe he will promote the interests of the United States, as much as any man, but I fear his duty will induce him to make exertions which may be detrimental to his health.  I wish however it may be otherwise.  Were I now to go with him, probably my immediate satisfaction might be greater than it will be in returning to America.  After having been traveling for these seven years almost all over Europe, and having been in the World, and among company, for three; to return to spend one or two years in the pale of a College, subjected to all the rules which I have so long been freed from; then to plunge into the dry and tedious study of the Law for three years; and afterwards not expect (however good an opinion I may have of myself) to bring myself into notice under three or four years more; if ever!  It is really a prospect somewhat discouraging for a youth of my ambition (for I have ambition, though I hope its object is laudable).  But still

     “Oh! how wretched
     Is that poor Man, that hangs on Princes’ favors”

or on those of anybody else.  I am determined that so long as I shall be able to get my own living in an honorable manner, I will depend upon no one.  My Father has been so much taken up all his lifetime with the interests of the public, that his own fortune has suffered by it; so that his children will have to provide for themselves, which I shall never be able to do, if I loiter away my precious time in Europe and shun going home until I am forced to it.