Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, April 16, 1800

April 16th [ 1800 ]

my Dear sister

I have received two Charming Letters from my much loved
sister since my last to her. 1 they demand from me a More minute reply than my time will allow, being
unwilling to leave a visitor who has been with me for a week past, Mrs
Johnson & Son from Georgetown, the Mother and Brother of My Dear absent
Sons Louissa, tho formerly known to me as , Start deletion, a
visitor , End, an acquaintance , Start deletion, merly , End, , without any particuliar interest , Start deletion, in , End, more than an agreable person &
pleasing manners excite. I find since the familis are united by marriage
much greater and more powerfull attractions towards it. add to this mrs
Johnson is a sensible well bred discreet woman, with polite and affable
manners: I expect her to remain with me a week longer—

The season my dear sister is delightfull. the grass &
grain have spread over the late barren plains & feilds, a verdure which
invigorates the spirits, and gives pleasure to the Eye, raising which you
behold the Trees all corresponding with their parent Earth, streching forth
their luxurient Branches drest in natures most pleasing livery. the weeping
Willow, which is a favorite tree with Me, from the gracefullness of its
slender branches, , Start deletion, and , End, which float and
wave to every breaze, intermixt with tall strait & Elegant poplar, form
a most Charming assembledge planted and intermixt as they are throughout
every street in this large & populus city— as they are of quick growth
thousands of them have been planted out and grown to a Surprizing height
Since I first a resident in this city and contribute greatly to the Beauty
of it, releiving the Eye from the dead and flat appearence of the brick
walls of the Houses— the streets here are all upon strait lines crossd like
a checker board, the Width of them add greatly to the Elegance convenience
& beauty of the city—and admit of trees upon each side of them, paved
with , Start deletion, larg , End, brick upon each side upon
which foot passengers always walk, so that you never see a person in the
middle of the street but with waggons or carriages— since Congress first sit
here, the city has grown one third— most of the Elegant Houses have been
built within the last ten years— 2

I have past one of the pleasentest winters which I have
experienced for many Years. thanks to the Giver of every good gift, my
Health has been firmer, and I have experienced less indisposition than for
many Years past. Some Sleepless night I have had, but they have been few in
Number compared with the last winter. I propose returning to , Start deletion, Boston , End, Quincy in the next Month.
Congress talk of rising then, but I rather fear they will Sit into June.
Your son is some afflicted with what I may properly stile our Family
infirmity, the Rhumatism. Thomas is equally So, but neither of them have
been confined with it.—

I am persuaded Your Abbes feverish habit proceeds from
worms. try the wafers which I gave you for her, they are safe. I have used
them for caroline smith. use the cold Bath for her, and by gentle excercise
and Air strengthen her Habit; a change of Air may also prove salubrious to
her I shall hope for a visit from you my dear sister as soon after my return
as you can make it convenient. the kind of Lawn which you request to have,
is not be had here. I shall attend to the Linnen but from the confusions in
Ireland, they come out much higher than formerly. 3 we Made a peice up for your son,
the beginning of the Winter.

My Love to Miss Palmer. do not blame Nature, by which she
is endowed with strong passions & a Warm Heart; I never was an advocate,
“for logs of Green wood which quench the coals” 4 nor do I believe that in this
matures age of Reason and reflection I should find any attractions in a
stoic Soul— the kind and friendly admonitions of Parental experience, should , Start deletion, not be disregarded, nor the , End, check
the , Start deletion, too , End, enthusiasm of youth, and teach
them to view the world as it really is, and humane nature as it will be
found, full of imperfections, much to forgive & much to be forgiven—
Youth is the season for joy, for hope, for pleasure & for improvement; , Start deletion, made , End, it is excess alone which
renders these blessings hurtfull— but I Must hasten to close my Letter with
/ assureing my Dear sister that / I am her truly affectionate

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