"While President of the United States, he was probably the first man up in Washington, lighted his own fire, and was hard at work in his library, while sleep yet held in its obliviousness the great mass of his fellow-citizens." He was an expert swimmer, and was in the constant habit of bathing, whenever circumstances would permit.

Not unfrequently the first beams of the rising sun, as they fell upon the beautiful Potomac, would find Mr.Adams buffeting its waves with all the sportiveness and dexterity of boyhood, while a single attendant watched upon the shore.

When in the Presidency, he sometimes made a journey from Washington to Quincy on horseback, as a simple citizen, accompanied only by a servant.
More than four score years had sprinkled their frosts upon his brow, and still he was in the midst of his usefulness.

Promptly at his post in the Hall of Representatives stood the veteran sentinel, watching vigilantly over the interests of his country.

With an eye undimmed by age, a quick ear, a ready hand, an intellect unimpaired, he guarded the citadel of liberty, ever on the alert to detect, and mighty to repel, the approach of the foe, however covert or however open his attacks.