Adams Family Values

Astral Facts, October 2012

Astral: (Theosophy) Consisting of, belonging to, or designating, a kind of supersensible substance alleged to be next above the tangible world in refinement; as, astral spirits; astral bodies of persons; astral current.

Adams Family Values

At our house we often read something for inspiration or insight between the evening meal and dessert.  Sometimes we pick a short selection from one of the “Chicken Soup” type sources.  Other times we read from collections of writings from famous figures from the past.  Not only is this a way to expose our children to such materials, but my wife grew up in Austria, so she enjoys hearing some of the short fiction selections that I cover in my classes in order to fill in gaps her background of American culture. 

In this way, we have been able to discuss ideas expressed by people such as Jonathan Swift, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Abraham Lincoln, Plato, Ernest Hemmingway, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, John Steinbeck, Confucius, Machiavelli, Mark Twain, Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, James Joyce, etc. during dessert and before the children scatter to watch episodes of The Office, face challenges in World of Warcraft, update their Facebook pages, etc. 

Recently we read a selection from The Spirit of America, a collection of early American writings edited by William Bennett.  The selection was quite short – just excerpts from a couple of short newsy letters between John and Abigail Adams in 1776 and 1780 regarding the choice of the national seal for the new republic.  Such short selections are usually chosen by one of the children, based on length rather than content, but often these short pithy bits offer a lot to chew on for the Humanities Scientist within us all.  This is especially true in times like this when we are bombarded by the campaign ads and ethical choices they draw upon (or contradict).

In the initial letter, dated August 14, 1776, barely a month after the Declaration of Independence, Adams writes to his wife about the choices put forth by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, followed by his own more secular choice:

Dr. F. [Benjamin Franklin] proposes a Device for a Seal. Moses lifting up his Wand, and dividing the Red Sea, and Pharaoh, in his Chariot overwhelmed with the Waters.—This Motto. Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.

Mr. Jefferson proposed. The Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by day, and a Pillar of Fire by night, and on the other Side Hengist and Horsa, the Saxon Chiefs, from whom We claim the Honour of being descended and whose Political Principles and Form of Government We have assumed.

I proposed the Choice of Hercules, as engraved by Gribeline in some Editions of Lord Shaftsburys Works. The Hero resting on his Clubb. Virtue pointing to her rugged Mountain, on one Hand, and perswading him to ascend. Sloth, glancing at her flowery Paths of Pleasure, wantonly reclining on the Ground, displaying the Charms both of her Eloquence and Person, to seduce him into Vice. But this is too complicated a Group for a Seal or Medal, and it is not original. http://www.masshist.org/publications/apde/portia.php?&id=AFC02d060

Here is a view of the concept: 

http://jaffro.net/files/Gribelin_Shaftesbury_Characteristics_Hercules.htm

A more colorful rendering is used in this YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idm2HxgUTpM&feature=related

When in Paris during the spring of 1780, Adams makes a further reference to this image in another letter to his wife with elaboration on its significance to him:

There is every Thing here that can inform the Understanding, or refine the Taste, and indeed one would think that could purify the Heart. Yet it must be remembered there is every thing here too, which can seduce, betray, deceive, deprave, corrupt and debauch it. Hercules marches here in full View of the Steeps of Virtue on one hand, and the flowery Paths of Pleasure on the other—and there are few who make the Choice of Hercules. That my Children may follow his Example, is my earnest Prayer: but I sometimes tremble, when I hear the syren songs of sloth, least they should be captivated with her bewitching Charms and her soft, insinuating Musick.

http://www.masshist.org/publications/apde/portia.php?id=AFC03d254

 In his preface to the selection, William Bennett notes that  at this fork in the road, the woman to Hecules’ left (Sloth) suggests taking the smooth path for an easy life of pleasure, while the other woman (Virtue) points to a more rugged upward path that will offer nothing except what he can make of it with his own work and strength. 

Bennett notes, “I have often told this story to audiences asking them which road they would choose.  Some simply disbelieve that anyone would choose the second road, but it is surprising how many choose it, still.  One young person has told me it sounded like the choice between television and homework” (225).

Perhaps this weekend I will sign up to referee some soccer matches in spite of the rain.  I might even  take a walk with my wife and enjoy the fall colors together with her before this season ends rather than being tied down by cable watching yet another game of another season. 

Walter Lowe
Astral Facts is a somewhat regular presentation of Humanities Science, produced in the bowels of the Humanities Science offices during the academic year.