, 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. With an ordinary share of
Common sense which I hope I enjoy, at least in America I can live
_independent_ and _free_; and rather than live otherwise I would wish to
die before the time when I shall be left at my own discretion. I have
before me a striking example of the distressing and humiliating
situation a person is reduced to by adopting a different line of
conduct, and I am d