John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

4. Fine day, though cool and windy. Went to dine with Mr: W. Willink at Bosch en Hooven, his Country seat near Haerlem.— Mr: Hubbard, and another Gentleman with his Lady there, whom I did not know.— We had strawberry’s, grapes, and a musk melon at table, all the produce of the garden. The mice had eaten all the peaches, or we should have had some of them.— This is the Dutchman’s magnificence.— The measure of the Lands is by Morgens equal to two of our Acres. Mr: Willink has 34 of them here, and tells me that his meadows would yield him 50 guilders per morgen yearly rent. The value of the Land is more than 1000 guilders a morgen.— Returned to town in the Evening. Called on Mr: & Mrs: Marshall— Our conversation almost learned. Young Marshall takes singularity for genius, and seems to consider ability as consisting in the disclaimer of all authority.— I have seen such men before.— They always have a certain depth; because they exert their faculties of reason, reflection and observation. But they are never very deep, because they depend too much upon themselves. A total disregard of authority, and a servile submission to it are alike unfriendly to all philosophy, and all science.