The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
EDUCATION / READING
A kind note at the foot of Mr. Adams' letter of July 15 reminds me of
the duty of saluting you with friendship and respect, a duty long
suspended by the unremitting labors of public engagement and which
ought to have been sooner revived, since I am the proprietor of my own
time. And yet so it is, that in no course of life have I been ever
more closely pressed by business than in the present. Much of this
proceeds from my own affairs, much from the calls of others; leaving
little time for indulgence in my greatest of all amusements, reading.
Dr. Franklin used to say that when he was young and had time to read
he had not books; and now when he has become old and had books, he had
no time. Perhaps it is that when habit has strengthened our sense of
duties, they leave us no time for other things; but when young we
neglect them and this gives us time for anything.
However, I will now take time to ask you how you do, how you have
done? and to express the interest I take in whatever affects your
happiness.
I have compared notes with Mr. Adams on the score of progeny and find
I am ahead of him and think I am in a fair way to keep so. I have ten
and one-half grandchildren, and two and three-fourths
great-grandchildren, and these fractions will ere long become units.
I was glad to learn from Mr. Adams that you have a grandson far
enough advanced in age and acquirements to be reading Greek. These
young scions give us comfortable cares, when we cease to care about
ourselves. Under all circumstances of health or sickness, of blessing
or affliction, I tender you assurances of my sincere affection and
respect.
to Abigail Adams, 22 August 1813
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