whence are to be seen some of the most beautiful prospects in the world. I wish the Hyde was within ten miles, or that Mr. Brand-Hollis would come and build an Hyde near us. I have a fine meadow that I would christen by the name of Hollis-Mead, if it were not too small. The hill where I now live is worthy to be called Hollis-Hill: but as only a small part of the top of it belongs to me, it is doubtful whether it would succeed. There is a fine brook runs through a meadow by my house, shall I call it Hollis-brook? What shall I say to you of our public affairs? The increase of population is wonderful. The plenty of provisions of all kind, amazing and cheap in proportion to their abundance, and the scarcity of money, which certainly is very great. The agriculture, fisheries, manufactures and commerce of the country are very well, much better than I expected to find them. * * * * * The elections for the new government have been determined very well hitherto in general. You may have the curiosity to ask what share your friend is to have? I really am at a loss to guess. The probability, at present, seems to be that I shall have no lot in it. I am in the habit of balancing every thing. In one scale is vanity; in the other comfort. Can you doubt which will preponderate? In public life I have found nothing but the former; in private life, I have enjoyed much of the latter. I regret the loss of the booksellers' shops, and the society of the few men of letters that I knew in London. In all other respects I am much happier and better accommodated here. Shall I hope to hear from you, as you have leisure? A letter left at the New England coffee-house, will be brought me by some of our Boston captains. With great esteem and much affection, I am, dear sir, your sincere friend, your It was not till the last evening that I had the pleasure of favour, with the pamphlets. They were sent to New-York, but had not arrived when I left it. Mrs. A. has sent the letter back to me. Accept of my thanks for the kindness. This town has been wholly employed in civilities to the pre sident for some days, and greater demonstrations of confidence and affection are not, cannot be given, in your quarter of the globe to their adored crowned heads. I wrote to you, my dear friend, a year ago, by a vessel which was lost at sea, and have been much mortified that I have not been able to write to you oftener. But we are men of business here, whether we will or no; and so many things that give us only trouble crowd in upon us, that we have little time left for those which would afford us pleasure. My country has assigned me a station, which requires constant attention and painful labour: but I shall go through it with cheerfulness, provided my health can be preserved in it. There is a satisfaction in living with our beloved chief, and so many of our venerable patriots, that no other country, and no other office in this country, could afford me. What is your opinion of the struggle in France? Will it terminate happily? Will they be able to form a consitution? You know that in my political creed, the word liberty is not the thing; nor is resentment, revenge, and rage, a constitution, nor the means of obtaining one. Revolutions perhaps can never be effected without them: but men should always be careful to distinguish an unfortunate concomitant of the means from the means themselves: and especially not to mistake the means for the end. My most cordial regards to all our friends, and believe me to be ever yours, Thomas Brand-Hollis, esq. JOHN ADAMS. ORIGINAL POETRY. MESSRS, EDITORS, FOR THE MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY. Commentators have been extremely sagacious in their interpretation of the 14th Ode, in the first book of Horace. By the ship, say they, is meant the republick; waves intend discord and civil commotions; the harbour, peace; the mast, Pompey; the yards, senators; the keel, the treasury, &c. Every word, indeed, according to them, is a figure. While, among the multitude, gazing at the mimick ship, in the republican procession, on the last 4th of July, this ode occurred to memory; and your learned board will determine, whether it be not a much more simple and satisfactory explanation to conceive the poet as merely indulging an effusion, on a similar exhibition, în the streets of Rome. That the unlearned reader, as well as yourselves, may judge of the correctness of this explication, a version is subjoined. It is not exactly a translation, but more faithful than an imitation; and the quotations, annexed, will shew a careful regard to the original. The word Navis, I have ventured to render July-boat. It would be tedious to set down all the authorities in support of this translation. It is indeed a free one; but the learned reader will find it is admissible. On one of the coins of Augustus there is a figure of a ship with oars, with this motto, FELICITATI AUG. Among the many spectacles and processions, with which Rome abounded, we have only to suppose a ship, thus appropriated to the Julian family, to be borne through the streets of the city. It would obtain the name, among the multitude, of the Julian-ship. Horace did not choose thus to designate it, because, it is obvious, that he indulges a degree of pleasantry on the occasion, which might not be altogether agreeable to his imperial master. Hence the obscurity, which involves this celebrated ode, and which has so long divided criticks and commentators. By a happy coincidence, this appellation becomes applicable to the exhibition on our 4th of July. The writer will be fortunate, if the printer do not attempt to shew his superiour correctness, by substituting, for this classical appellation, the vulgar term Jolly-Boat. It is easy to perceive, that this is only a corruption of that ancient expression. July 8, 1809. LUCILIUS. HORACE, LIB. I, ODE XIV. O JULY-BOAT, what do'st thou here? Thy keel scarce stands the shock; No oars equip thy labouring side, No sails thy useless yards display, 66 O'er pavements rough, in crowded throng, And watch'd your tide of flood. Through winding streets, and darkened lanes, SUMMER EVENING. How sweet the summer gales of night, Swept silent through the blue profound. How sweet at midnight to recline, Where flows their cool and fragrant stream; Or idly mark the volumed clouds, Their broad, deep mass of darkness throw, Or see where from that depth of shade, Or gaze on heav'ns unnumber'd fires, What various beings there reside, Or life's uncertain scenes revolve, Feel some high wish, some proud resolve Meanwhile may reason's light, whose beam, Then oft in this still hour be mine HORACE, ODE 30, LIB. I. TO VENUS. 1. Oh lovely Venus, beauteous queen 2. Within her temple, where she bends, And breathes before thy shrine her prayer, While high the fragrant cloud ascends, 3. And bring with thee thy wanton boy, 4. With thee let winged Mercury come, * Et parum comis sinę te juventas. C |