From John, to Abigail

"May 12th, 1780", while in Paris on a diplomatic mission.

My dear Portia:

...I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Painting and Poetry Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.
Adieu.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

Today I visited the Birmingham Museum of Art to view the Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness exhibit which is in Birmingham until January 10th on special leave from Yale University. There is a fantastic story of while it's able to leave Yale, but i'll let you visit the museum and hear a lecture from the curator to hear it. And I would suggest hearing a lecture before you view the exhibit if you decide to go. It makes the pieces much more interesting to someone who knows nothing about art history.

The museum is using this quote as the model by which they present the pieces in the exhibit. John Adam new that our country would slowly progress culturally, but that progress could happen with education and passion. The exhibit starts out artifacts depitcting war and cultural strife, continues with westward expansion and racial issues, and ends with progress in the arts of furniture, pottery and china. It made me again meditate on the fact that in today's world of instant communication, we no longer need to write hand writen leters to our loved ones, but instead send texts or emails. We, for the most part, arnt artisans learning crafts and trades, thus creative creations are done less with ours hands, but with computers. Sure, life is more convienant now, and we certainly have the opportunity to study music, poetry, porcelin, and statuary. Thanks John. But, i cant help but wish life were simplier, and Ive felt that way since returning to Ireland. Today also made me remember that part of me that is passionate about history. I sometimes wonder what would have gone a different route with my career and followed that passion instead of that of finance. I dont have regrets because I love what I do (on most days) but I do have ideas that someday I want to explore. So when, who knows....if only life were that simple.