tween the remarkable days in the calendar, with proverbial sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality as the means of procuring wealth, and thereby securing virtue; it being more difficult for a man in want to act always honestly, as, to use here one of those proverbs, It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright.

These proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I assembled and formed into a connected discourse prefixed to the Almanac of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people attending an auction. The bringing all these scattered counsels thus into a focus enabled them to make greater impression. The piece, being universally approved, was copied in all the newspapers of the American Continent, reprinted in Britain on a large sheet of paper, to be stuck up in houses; two translations were made of it in France, and great numbers bought by the clergy and gentry to distribute gratis among their poor parishioners and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless expense in foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share of influence in producing that growing plenty of money, which was observable for several years after its publication.

After ten years' absence from Boston, and having become easy in my circumstances, I made a journey thither to visit my relations, which I could not sooner afford. In returning I called at Newport to see my brother James, then settled there with his printinghouse. Our former differences were forgotten, and our meeting was very cordial and affectionate. He was

fast declining in health, and requested me, that, in case of his death, which he apprehended not far distant, I would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him up to the printing business. This I accordingly performed, sending him a few years to school before I took him into the office. His mother carried on the business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an assortment of new types, those of his father being in a manner worn out. Thus it was that I made my brother ample amends for the service I had deprived him of by leaving him so early.

FAMILIAR LETTERS

OF

JOHN AND ABIGAIL ADAMS.

(Published with the permission of Hon. Charles Francis Adams.)

JOHN and ABIGAIL ADAMS were married October 25, 1764. They lived partly in Boston, partly in Braintree, now Quincy. He left home August 10, 1774, as delegate to the Continental Congress, which met at Philadelphia, September 5. He left again April 14, 1775, to attend the second meeting of Congress in Philadelphia, May 10, and there remained, with the exception of two short visits at home, until after the Declaration of Independence. These are a part of his and his wife's letters during their separation.