John Quincy Adams to Abigail (daughter of JA and AA) Adams, April 25, 1786

Braintree, April 15 1 [ , Start insertion, i.e. 25 , End, ]th, 1786

This is the eighth day it has rained and stormed without intermission, the weather is worse than that of England commonly is.

The parson 2 has been here to-day. Smoked some pipes, was sometimes witty, and always ready to laugh at his own flashes. The vacancy expires tomorrow. The weather has been such that we could not stir out of doors. I have employed my time in reading, writing and taking lessons on the flute, for you must know we are all turning musicians. I never had before an opportunity of paying any steady attention to any musical instrument, now I am settled, in one place for fifteen months, vacancies excepted, and shall be glad for a relaxation from study, to amuse myself with a little music, which you know

When the soul is press’d with cares

Awakes it with enlivening airs. 3