Page:Republican Court by Rufus Griswold.djvu/102

and has the reputation of being witty and sharp: I am sure she does not look méchante." After a passage of more than twelve weeks, from Amsterdam, the daughter of Mr. Van Berckel arrived in Philadelphia, and the minister set out to meet her. Young Adams had seen her in Holland, and does not appear to have formed a very high estimate of her beauty. "The young ladies here," he remarks, "are very impatient to see her, and I dare say that when she comes reflections will not be spared on either side. The beauties of New York will triumph, but, I hope, with moderation."

Colonel William. S. Smith, a native of New York, who had served with considerable credit during the war, and was afterward appointed Secretary of Legation at the Court of London, was at this time engaged to Miss Adams. On the last day of July her brother went with a Mr. Jarvis to visit the family, at Jamaica, Long Island.

"The colonel's mother," he writes, "appeared to miss him very much. All the family are in mourning for the old gentleman, who died about nine months ago. There is one son here now, and, if I mistake not, six daughters. Sally strikes most at first sight: she is tall, has a very fine shape, and a vast deal of vivacity in her eyes, which are a light blue. She has the ease and elegance of the French ladies, without their loquacity. Her conversation, I am told, is as pleasing as her figure." This young lady was married in a few years to Charles Adams, the writer's brother. He also mentions a "celebrated beauty by the name of Miss Ogden," who then lived on the Island. He thought she resembled the handsome Mrs. Bingham, of Philadelphia, whom he had encountered abroad.

On Sunday, the seventh of August, he writes, "I attended church this morning at St. Paul's: for we have a St. Paul's here as well as you in London, though it is something like Alexander the