Abigail (daughter of JA and AA) Adams to Elizabeth Palmer Cranch, April 1, 1782

Saturday
[ , Start insertion, April 1782 , End, ]

Knowing your benevolent heart is ever gratified by hearing of the wellfare of your friends,
and feeling a disposition to scrible, you Eliza first claim my attention. I hope ere this your
health and spirits are perfectly restored and every one of the family to their usual
chearfulness. Do not my Dear Girl dwell too long on the dark side of affairs, it impairs your
health and sinks your spirits. Was it in the power of your friend to remove the causes of your
anxiety it would be the happiest moment of my Life but alas I feel my inability even to offer
that consolation that a sweet but feble friend requires. I will attempt to give you some idea of the manner my time has past hear. I arrived
late in the afternoon, we were received in the usual manner, some sociable, others reserved.
Mamma drank tea and returned home. Some retired for a short time. We chatted and as Yorick
somewhere expresses himself in his letters to Eliza (thou was the star that conducted our
discourse) for some time, the evening passed in a reserved manner, at ten I retired to my
room. Then my friend I more preticularly wished for your company. I was soon lost in sleep and
not one idea presented to my imagination till seven in the morning. To day Miss H O and my
friend Polly Otis dined here, some other company. Mr. S. Otis and Lady passed the afternoon,
our good Cousin O. appears to have obtained as great a share of happiness as I think
consistent with the Lot of mortals, may she long continue as pleased as at present she appears
to be with her new partner. I must confess I can have no idea that a heart wounded by grief
should be healed by aney one event in so short a space of time, perhaps my ideas may be
romantick. 1