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 the castle of Leydon; and in agreement with a stipulation between himself and her husband, she was sent to England, and placed under the protection of King John. In 1207, William of Friesland being then victorious, Ada was suffered to return to Holland on her husband's stipulating to ackowledge [sic] the British King as his liege lord, whom he was bound to serve and obey. The countess took up her residence in the bishoprick of Liege, where she is supposed to have died in 1218; on the 29th. of July of which year, her husband, by whose side she was buried at Herkenrode, also died.

ADAMS, ABIGAIL, of John Adams, second President of the United States, was daughter of the Rev. William Smith, minister of a Congregational church at Weymouth, Massachusetts, and of Elizabeth Quincy. She was born November 11th. 1744, and, in October 1764, married John Adams, then a lawyer, residing at Weymouth. Mr. Adams was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Great Britain, and, in 1784, Mrs. Adams sailed from Boston to join him. She returned in 1788, having passed one year in France and three in England. On her husband's being appointed Vice-President, in 1789, she went to reside at Philadelphia, then the seat of government, with him; as she also did when he was chosen President, in 1797. After Mr. Adams' defeat, in 1800, they retired to Quincy, where Mrs. Adams died, October 28th., 1818. Her letters to her son, John Quincy Adams, were very much admired. She was a woman of time greatness and elevation of mind, and, whether in public or private life, she always preserved the same dignified and tranquil demeanor. As the mistress of a household, she united the prudence of a rigid economist with the generous spirit of a liberal hospitality; faithful and affectionate in her friendships, bountiful to the poor, kind and courteous to her dependents, cheerful and charitable in the intercourse of social life with her neighbours and acquaintances; she lived in the habitual practice of benevolence, and sincere unaffected piety. In her family relations, few women have left a pattern more worthy of imitation by her sex. Her letters have been collected, and, with a Biographical Sketch by her grandson, Charles F. Adams, were published some years since.

Many women fill important stations with the most splendid display of virtues; but few are equally great in retirement; there they want the animating influence of a thousand eyes, and the inspiration of homage and flattery. This is human nature in its common form; and though female nature is often beautifully displayed in retirement, yet to change high station for a quiet home is a trial few women would have borne with such sweet serenity as did Mrs. Adams. She was, in retirement at Quincy, the same dignified, sensible, and happy woman, as when at the capitol, surrounded by fashion, wit, and intellect. This serenity arose from a settled and perfect, but philosophical and Christian contentment, which great minds only can feel. Such purity and elevation of soul preserve the faculties of the mind, and keep them vigorous even in old age. Thus lived this genuine daughter of America, leaving at her peaceful death a rich legacy of the loftiest virtues, made manifest by her example, as the inheritance of the women of her beloved country.