John Quincy Adams to John Adams, December 21, 1780

Leyden December 21st 1780

Honoured Sir

Mr. Thaxter and brother Charles wrote both to you the day before yesterday and as I had no
subject to write upon, I did not write But I can now give you an account of our journey.

We dined on Monday at Haerlem and arrived at Leyden at Six oclock. We lodged at the Cour de
Hollande and saw Mr. Waterhouse that evening. The next day we went to hear a Medicinal lecture
by Professor Horn , we saw several experiments there. In the
afternoon we went to Hear a Law lecture by Professor Pessel. 1 Each lecture lasts an hour.

Yesterday Afternoon we moved from the Cour de Hollande to private lodgings in the same house
in which Mr. Waterhouse boards our address is Mr. &c. by de Heer Welters, op de lange
Burg, tegen over t Mantel Huis. Leyden. 2

I was to day in company with the parson of the brownist Church Who seems to be a clever man,
he is a scotch-man but does not pray for the king of England. 3

I should be glad to have a pair of Scates they are of various prices from 3 Guilders to 3
Ducats those of a Ducat are as good as need to be but I should like to know whether you would
chuse to have me give so much.

Mr. Waterhouse says that for riding I must have a pair leather breeches and a pair of boots.
I should be glad if you would answer me upon that as soon as you receive this for there is a
vacancy here which begins to morrow and in the vacancy is the
best time to begin to learn to ride.

In the vacancy there will be no lectures at all but our Master will attend us all the while
as much as when there is no vacancy.

I continue writing in Homer, the Greek Grammar and Greek testament every day.

I am your most dutiful Son,

John Quincy Adams