Memoirs of Anne C.L. Botta,: written by her friends. With selections from her correspondence and from her writings in prose and poetry.

;elections from lbe~r 1rittn~s
appears to know. Our legislators do not apparently remember
that it is the arts, not less than the arms, the laws, and the institutions of a country, that make it illustrious. Phidias and
Praxiteles have added a luster to the glory of Greece not less than
Solon, Lycurgus, and Aristotle, and the creations of Da Vinci,
Michelangelo, and Raphael would, of themselves, make Italy
immortal, had she no other remembrances of the past. Take
from her the splendor that the arts shed upon her, and her
glory would be departed. The discomforts of the White House
at that period are described in the following extracts from letters
written by Mrs. John Adams, the wife of the President of that
name:
MRS. ADAMS TO MRS. SMITH.
WASHINGTON, November 2d, z800.
In the city are buildings enough, if they were compact and finished,
to accommodate Congress and those attached to it; but as they are, I
see no great comfort for them. The river, which runs up to Alexandria,
is in full view of my window, and I see the vessels as they pass and repass. The house is upon a grand and superb scale, requiring about
thirty servants to attend and keep the apartments in proper order, and
perform the ordinary business of the house and stables; an establishment very well proportioned to the President's salary. The lighting of
the apartments, from the kitchen to the parlors and chambers, is a tax
indeed; and the fires we are obliged to keep, to secure us from daily
agues, is another very cheering comfort. To assist us in this great
castle, and render less attendance necessary, bells are wholly wanting,
not one single one being hung through the whole house, and promises
are all you can obtain. This is so great an inconvenience, that I know
not what to do or how to do. The ladies from Georgetown and in the
city have many of them visited me. Yesterday I returned fifteen visits;
but such a place as Georgetown appears! Why, our Milton is beautiful.
But no comparisons; -if they will put me up some bells, and let me
have wood enough to keep fires, I design to be pleased. I could content
myself almost anywhere three months; but surrounded with forests,
can you believe that wood is not to be had, because people cannot be
found to cut and cart it! Briesler entered into a contract with a man to
supply him with wood. A small part, a few cords only, has he been able
to get. Most of that was expended to dry the walls of the house before
we came in, and yesterday the old man told him it was impossible for
him to procure more cut and carted. He has had recourse to coals; but
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