ttle even yet.

Mr. Adams's later years were spent at home, where he was always
interested in public affairs and sometimes much too free in comments on
them; where he read immensely and wrote somewhat. He heartily approved
his son's break with the Federalists on the Embargo. He died on the same
day as Jefferson, both on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence.

As a writer, Mr. Adams's powers show best in the work which can hardly
be classed as literature,--his forcible and bitter political letters,
diatribes, and polemics. As in his life, his merits and defects not only
lie side by side, but spring from the same source,--his vehemence,
self-confidence, and impatience of obstruction. He writes impetuously
because he feels impetuously. With little literary grace, he possesses
the charm that belongs to clear and energetic thought and sense
transfused with hot emotion. John Fiske goes so far as to say that "as a
writer of English, John Adams in many respects surpassed all his
American contemporaries." He was by no means without humor,--a
characteristic which shows in some of his portraits,--and sometimes
realized the humorous aspects of his own intense and exaggerative
temperament. His remark about Timothy Pickering, that "under the simple
appearance of a bald head and straight hair, he conceals the most
ambitious designs," is perfectly self-conscious in its quaint naivete.

His 'Life and Works,' edited by his grandson, Charles Francis Adams,
Sr., in ten volumes, is the great storehouse of his writings. The best
popular account of his life is by John T. Morse, Jr., in the 'American
Statesmen' series.

AT THE FRENCH COURT

From his Diary, June 7th, 1778, with his later comments in brackets.

Went to Versailles, in company with Mr. Lee, Mr. Izard and his lady, Mr.
Lloyd and his lady, and Mr. Francois. Saw the grand procession of the
Knights _du Saint-Esprit_, or _du Cordon Bleu_. At nine o'clock at
night, went to the _grand convert_, and saw the king, queen, and royal
family, at supper; had a fine seat and situation close by the royal
family, and had a distinct and full view of the royal pair.

[Our objects were to see the ceremonies of the knights, and in the
evening the public supper of the royal family. The kneelings, the bows,
and the courtesies of the knights, the dresses and decorations, the king
seated on his throne, his investiture of a new created knight with the
badges and ornament