Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams

Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life and Public Services of John Quincy
Adams, by William H. Seward This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
Title: Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams Sixth President of the Unied States
Author: William H. Seward
Release Date: April 18, 2006 [EBook #18196]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ***

Produced by Don Kostuch

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. Abusive or contemptuous word or phrase.
erudition Deep, extensive learning.
escutcheon Shield-shaped emblem bearing a coat of arms. Plate inscribed with a ship's name.
eternize Make eternal. Protract for an indefinite period. Make perpetually famous; immortalize.
eulogium Formal eulogy.
evanescent Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor.
execration The act of cursing. A curse. Something cursed or loathed.
exigency Requiring much effort or immediate action. Pressing or urgent situation.
extirpate Pull up by the roots. Destroy totally; exterminate. Remove by surgery.
fain Happily; gladly.
garniture Garnish; embellishment.
gratulation To congratulate.
green withes Cords or bowstrings used to bind Samson; Judges 16:8.
habiliments Special dress or garb associated with an occasion or office.
hecatomb Large-scale sacrifice; sacrifice to the ancient Greek and Roman gods of 100 oxen.
importunity Importunate request; an insistent or pressing demand.
indefeasible Cannot be annulled or made void.
ineffably Incapable of being expressed; indescribable, unutterable, unspeakable, taboo.
ingenuously Lacking in cunning, guile, or worldliness; artless. Openly straightforward or frank; candid.
importunate Troublesomely urgent or persistent in requesting.
intendant Administrative official