Difference between revisions of "Wythe to Adams, 5 December 1783"
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==Letter text== | ==Letter text== | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
| − | <div align="center">G. Wythe to J. Adams.</div> | + | <div align="center">[[George Wythe|G. Wythe]] to [[J. Adams|John Adams]].</div> |
Often had I almost resolved to write to you, to supply, in some measure, by an epistolary correspondence, the want of that conversation which I had no other cause to regret than the interruption of it by the distance between us; and had more reasons than I can enumerate to covet. But uncertainty of communication, and a doubt whether the merit of any thing I could say would be an apology for diverting your <s>from</s> attention from affairs incomparably more momentous hitherto kept me reluctantly silent. Your letter, therefore, by mr Mazzei, delivered to me <s>today,</s> this day, by which I learn your wish to receive a line from me, and that too wherever you be, was received with joy. I accept the invitation with a pleasure one feels in renewing an acquaintance with an old friend whose company was entertaining and improving. O were our habitations so neighbouring, that | Often had I almost resolved to write to you, to supply, in some measure, by an epistolary correspondence, the want of that conversation which I had no other cause to regret than the interruption of it by the distance between us; and had more reasons than I can enumerate to covet. But uncertainty of communication, and a doubt whether the merit of any thing I could say would be an apology for diverting your <s>from</s> attention from affairs incomparably more momentous hitherto kept me reluctantly silent. Your letter, therefore, by mr Mazzei, delivered to me <s>today,</s> this day, by which I learn your wish to receive a line from me, and that too wherever you be, was received with joy. I accept the invitation with a pleasure one feels in renewing an acquaintance with an old friend whose company was entertaining and improving. O were our habitations so neighbouring, that | ||
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nor could anything have separated us, loving and taking pleasure in each other, <br /> | nor could anything have separated us, loving and taking pleasure in each other, <br /> | ||
until the black cloud of death shrouded us<br /> | until the black cloud of death shrouded us<br /> | ||
| − | ::::(Homer, ''The Odyssey,'' Book IV, lines 178-180)</ref> | + | ::::(Homer, ''[[Odyssey|The Odyssey]],'' Book IV, lines 178-180)</ref> |
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 15:17, 3 July 2015
Letter text
G. Wythe to John Adams.Often had I almost resolved to write to you, to supply, in some measure, by an epistolary correspondence, the want of that conversation which I had no other cause to regret than the interruption of it by the distance between us; and had more reasons than I can enumerate to covet. But uncertainty of communication, and a doubt whether the merit of any thing I could say would be an apology for diverting your
fromattention from affairs incomparably more momentous hitherto kept me reluctantly silent. Your letter, therefore, by mr Mazzei, delivered to metoday,this day, by which I learn your wish to receive a line from me, and that too wherever you be, was received with joy. I accept the invitation with a pleasure one feels in renewing an acquaintance with an old friend whose company was entertaining and improving. O were our habitations so neighbouring, thatοδύσύ.
Δ. 180— θάμ᾽ ἐνθάδ᾽ ἐόντες ἐμισγόμεθ᾽: οὐδέ κεν ἡμέας
ἄλλο διέκρινεν φιλέοντέ τε τερπομένω τε,
πρίν γ᾽ ὅτε δὴ θανάτοιο μέλαν νέφος ἀμφεκάλυψεν! [1]A letter will meet with me in Williamsburg where I have again settled, assisting, as professor of law and police in the university there, to form such characters as may be fit to succede those which have been ornamental and useful in the national councils of America. Adieu.
5 Dec. 1783.
References
- ↑ Living here we should frequently have met with each other,
nor could anything have separated us, loving and taking pleasure in each other,
until the black cloud of death shrouded us
- (Homer, The Odyssey, Book IV, lines 178-180)
