First Page:
L I F E
AND
PUBLIC SERVICES
of
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.WITH
THE EULOGY
DELIVERED BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK.
BY WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
[Transcriber's Notes:]
This text is an accurate reproduction of the original book with the
following exceptions. Obvious misspellings and typos have been corrected
but contemporary usage is unchanged, e.g. "centre". Sentences spanning
pages have been joined to facilitate searches and analysis.
I encourage you to forgive the verbose style that suggests authors were
paid by the word. The gems of character description and contemporary
viewpoints are worth the effort.
The book supports the observation "The news never changes, just the
names." I am encouraged that the tone of politics is not much different
today than it was at Adams' time. Things are no worse. In spite of
continual bickering, a few persons with good will, careful planning, hard
work and a thick skin can achieve wonderful results.
The following glossary contains unfamiliar (to me) terms.
abjuration
Renounce under oath; forswear. Recant solemnly; repudiate. Give up.
Abstain from.
abstemious
Eating and drinking in moderation. Sparingly used. Restricted to bare
necessities.
Aceldama
A place with dreadful associations.
animadversion
Strong criticism.
approbate
Sanction officially; authorize.
arbitrament
Arbitrating; arbitration. Judgment of an arbitrator or arbiter.
assiduity
Persistent application or diligence; unflagging effort. Constant
personal attention.
(a)thymy
(Not) abounding with thyme; fragrant.
barouche
Four wheeled carriage with a collapsible top, two double seats inside
opposite each other, and a box seat outside in front for the driver.
barque
Sailing ship with three to five square rigged masts, except the after
mast, which is fore and aft rigged. Small vessel propelled by oars or
sails.
benison
Blessing; a benediction.
cesural
Pause in a line of verse dictated by sense or natural speech rhythm
rather than by metrics. Pause in conversation.
chaplet
Wreath or garland for the head.
Circean (Circe)
A Greek goddess who turned Odysseus's men temporarily into swine but
later gave him directions for their journey home.
coeval
Originating or existing during the same period; lasting through the same
era. One of the same era or period; a contemporary.
condign
Deserved; adequate.
contemned
Viewed with contempt; despised.
contumelies
Rudeness or contempt arising from arrogance. Insolent or arrogant
remarks or acts.
cortege
Train of attendants of a distinguished person; a retinue. Ceremonial
procession. Funeral procession.
demurrage
Detention of a cargo conveyance during loading or unloading beyond the
scheduled time of departure. Compensation paid for such detention.
deputed
Appoint or authorize as a representative. Assign (authority or duties)
to another; delegate.
descant
Ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme. Highest
part sung in part music. Discussion or discourse on a theme.
descried
Catch sight of (something difficult to discern). Discover by careful
observation or scrutiny; detect:
didactic
Intended to instruct. Morally instructive.
dilatory
Intended to delay. Tending to postpone or delay.
discomfited
Make uneasy or perplexed; disconcert. Thwart plans; frustrate.
disquisitions
Formal discourse, often in writing.
doit
Dutch coin, worth about half a farthing. A thing of small value.
effulgence
Brilliant radiance.
elegiac
Mourning for that which is irrecoverably past.
emoluments
Payment for an office or employment; compensation.
encomiums
Warm, glowing praise. Formal expression of praise; a tribute.
enervate
Weaken or destroy strength or vitality.
ephemeral
Lasting for a brief time. Living or lasting only for a day, as some
plants or insects.
Episcopal
Church governed by a bishop.
epithet
Term to characterize a person or thing or as a descriptive substitute
for the name or title of a person... Continue reading book >>