332 
ambitious every moment of his life. He 
was a canting dog: I hate him for his hy- 
pocrisy ; but I think he had more sense 
than his friends. He saw the necessity of 
three branches, as I suspect. If he did, 
he was perfectly right in wishing to bea 
king. I do not agree with those -who im- 
pute, to him the whole blame of an uncon- 
ditional restoration. They were the most 
responsible for it who obstinately insisted 
on the abolition of monarchy. If they 
would have concurred in a rational reform 
of the Constitution, Cromwell would have 
joined them. 
The following letter was addressed to 
the same ccrrespondent, after he had 
crossed the Atlantic, and re-visited the 
country that had given him birth. 
Brainirce, near Boston, Dec. 3, 1788. 
My dear Friend,—If I had been told, at 
my first arrival, that five months would 
pass before [ should write a line to Mr. 
Brand Hollis, I should not have believed 
it. I found my estate, in consequence of 
a total neglect and inattention on my part 
for fourteen years, was falling into decay, 
and in so much disorder, as to require my 
whole attention to repair it. I have a 
great mind to essay a description of it. It 
is not large, in the first place: it is but 
the farm ofa patriot. But there are in it 
two or three spots from whence are to be 
seen some of the most beautiful prospects 
in the world. I wish that the Hyde was 
within ten miles, or that Mr. Brand Hollis 
would come and build a Hyde near us. [ 
have a fine meadow, that I would christen 
by the name of Hollis Mead, if it were 
not too small. The hill where I now live 
is worthy to be called Hollis-hill: but, as 
only asmall part of the top belongs to me, 
itis doubtful whether it would succeed. 
There is a fine brook runs throngh a mea- 
dow by my house; shall I call it Hollis- 
brook? 
What shall I say to you of public affairs? 
The increase of population is wonderful. 
The plenty of provisions of all kinds 
amazing ; and cheap in proportion to their 
abundance, and the scarcity of money, 
which certainly is very great. 
» “« * 
* * * 
The elections for the new government 
lave been determined very well, hitherto, 
in general. You may have the curiosity 
to ask what your friend is to have? I 
really am at a loss to guess. The proba- 
bility, at present, seems to be, that I shall 
have no lot init. I amin the habit of ba- 
lancing every thing: in one scale is vanity, 
in the other comfort. Can you doubt 
which will preponderate? In public life, 
I have found rothing but the former; in 
private life, I have enjoyed much of the 
latter, 
I regret the loss of the booksellers’ 
shops, and. tlie society of the few men of 
letters that I knew in London, In all 
Stephensiana, No. XXIL. 
other respects, I am happier, and better 
accommodated here. 
In 1789, Mr. Adams was elected 
vice-president; soon after which, he 
wrote a letter to Mr. B. Hollis, dated 
“‘ Boston, October 28, 1789,” in which 
he states that— 
This town has been wholly employed in 
civilities to the President for some days, 
and greater demonstrations of confidence 
and affection (adds he) are not, cannot be, 
given, in your quarter of the globe to their 
adored crowned heads. My country has 
assigned to me a station, which requires 
constant attention and painfal labor; but 
I shall go through it with cheerfulness, ‘ 
provided my health can be preserved in it. 
There is a satisfaction in living with our 
beloved chief, and so many of onr vener- 
able patriots, that no other country, and 
no other office in this country, could 
afford me. 
What is your opinion of the struggle in 
France? Will it terminate happily? Will 
they be able to form a constitution? You 
know tliat, in my political creed, the word 
liberty is not the thing ; nor is resentment, 
revenge, and rage, 2 constitution, nor the 
means of obtaining one. Revolution, 
perhaps, can never be effected without 
them ; but men should always be careful 
to distingnish an unfortunate concomitant 
of the means from the means themselves, 
and especially not to mistake the means 
for the end. 
In his next, dated New York, June 
1, 1790, he observes,— 
L am situated on the majestic banks of 
the Hudson,—in comparison with which 
-your Thames is but a rivulet,—and sur- 
rounded byall the beauties and sublimities 
of nature. Never did Llive on so delight- 
ful a spot. I would give,—what would I 
not give, to see you here? 
Your library, and your cabinets of ele- 
gant and costly curiosities, would be an 
addition to such a situation, which would 
in this country attract the curiosity of all. 
In Europe they are lost in the crowd. 
Come over, and purchase a paradise here ; 
and be the delight and admiration of a new 
world. Marry. one of our fine girls, and 
leave a family to do honour to human na- 
ture, when you can no longer do it in per- 
son. Franklin is no more; and we have 
lately trembled for Washington. Thank 
God, he is recovered from a dangerous 
sickness, and is likely now to continue 
many years. His life is of vast importance 
to us. ; 
Is there any probability of England’s 
being able to carry off her distempers? I 
wish her well and prosperous, but I wish 
she would adopt the old maxim, “ live and 
let live.” 
Will there be a complete revolution in 
Europe, both in religion and government? 
Where will the foremost passions and 
principles 
[Nov. L, 
— 
