John Adams to John Quincy Adams, December 15, 1781

Amsterdam Decr. 15. 1781

My dear Child

This day Mr. Sayre arrived, 1 with your Letter of
the 12/23 of October. Yours of August I answered, Yesterday.

You have not informed me whether the Houses are built of Brick, Stone or Wood. Whether they
are seven stories high or only one. How they are glazed, whether they have chimneys as in
Spain. What publick Buildings, what Maison de Ville or state house. What Churches? What
Palaces? What Statuary, what Paintings, Musick, Spectacles, &c. You have said nothing of
the Religion of the Country, whether it is Catholick or Protestant. What is the national
Church. Whether there are many Sectaries. Whether there is a Toleration of various Religions
&c.

I think the Price for a Master is intolerable. If there is no Academy, nor School, nor a
Master to be had, I really dont know what to say to your staying in Russia. You had better be
at Leyden where you might be in a regular course of Education. You might come in the Spring in
a Russian, Sweedish or Prussian Vessell, to Embden perhaps or Hamborough, and from thence
here, in a neutral Bottom still. I am afraid of your being too troublesome to Mr.
D [ana] .

However, I rely upon it that you follow your Studies with your wonted Assiduity. It is
strange if no Dictionary can be found in French nor English.

I dont perceive that you take Pains enough with your Hand Writing. Believe me, from
Experience, if you now in your Youth resolutely conquer your impatience, and resolve never to
write the most familiar Letter or trifling Card, with 2 Attention and care, it will save you a vast deal of Time and Trouble
too, every day of your whole Life. When the habit is got, it is easier to write well than ill,
but this Habit is only to be acquired, in early life.

God bless my dear Son, and preserve his Health and his Manners, from the numberless dangers,
that surround Us, wherever We go in this World. So prays your affectionate Father,

J. Adams