John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, September 15, 1801

Quincy September 15. 1801

Dear Thomas

Have a care, that you do not let Captain Duane know, that I am
reading Cicero de Senectute again: because he will immediately insert in his Aurora
Borealis, that I recollected, those Words in the 17 th Chapter “nihil ei tam regale videri, quam Studium agri colendi.” 1 He will Say that there is nothing in building
Stone Wall, or in collecting Heaps of Compost, but the tang of Royalty and Monarchy,
which Socrates and Xenophon and Cicero perceived, which attracts my Esteem and
affection: and all the Germans and all the Irish and all the Quakers and Anabaptists
will Say they believe him: and the Presbyterians will shake their heads and say it is
too true.— The Captain will quote the Words “Nun quam terra recusat imperium,” as
mathematical demonstration that my taste for Agriculture is only a fruit of my arbitrary
Disposition and despotic Principles.

I wonder how the Captain, will announce the Arrival of your
Brother? 2 What Ingenuity of Malignity
and what Impudence of Mendecity, his Genius and his forehead will furnish upon this
Occasion excites my Curiosity.

I dont recollect to have seen an Aurora since I became Monarch of
stony field, Count of Gull Island, Earl of Mount Arrarat, Marquis of Candlewood Hill,
and Baron of Rocky Run.— But I confess I now wish to see all that the Aurora, shall say
on the Arrival of J. Q. A. Send them to your affectionate Father