DITCHING V. LATIN.
The house in which John Adams, the second President of the United States, was born is still standing in Q.uincy, near tho foot of Perm's Hill. Near it is a meadow of some extent, with which the following pleasant incident is associated : — ' When I was a boy,' said he, ' I had to study the Latin grammar ; but it was dull, and I hated it. My father was anxiou3_ to send me to college ; and therefore I studied the grammar till I could bear with it no longer ; and, going to my father, I told him I did not like study, and asked for some other employment. It was opposing his wishes, and he was quick in his answer. * Well, John,' said he, 'if Latin grammar does not suit you, you may try ditching — perhaps that will. My meadow yonder needs a ditch, and you may put by Latin and try that.' This seemed a delightful change, and to the meadow I went. But I soon found ditching harder than Latin, and the first forenoon was the longest I ever experienced.
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Bibliographic details
Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3186, 14 September 1881, Page 4
Word Count
183DITCHING V. LATIN. Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3186, 14 September 1881, Page 4
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