“I suppose, my lord,” said Mr. Adams, “you have not been here sufficiently long to form an opinion in regard to the Colonies.”
“Everything is so new and strange,” Lord Upperton replied, “I hardly know what to make of it. I had an idea that I should find your people quite rude and uncultivated. I understand you haven’t any theatre or anything of that sort; but, really, your ladies charm me by their conversation. Mrs. Adams informs me she has studied Latin and Greek.”
“I am happy to say my wife can read Cicero and Homer in the originals,” Mr. Adams replied.
“You astonish me,” his lordship exclaimed.
“We are somewhat primitive, but the Colonies in time will make amends for whatever they maybe lacking now,” Mr. Adams responded, sipping his wine. “The people who came to this Western world did so mainly for conscience sake, and the time will come when this country will be the seat of empire. Society here is established on enduring foundations. One hundred years hence the chances are the people in the Colonies will outnumber those of England. We are loyal to the king, but we are a liberty-loving people and jealous of our rights. In time we shall be so strong that the united force of Europe will not be able to subdue us.”[48]
“You have a great extent of country, but as a people you are widely scattered. You have only a little fringe of settlements along the seacoast. It will be an easy matter to divide you. England is rich, and has a great navy; she controls the sea. Her armies have been victors on many fields; she has wrested Canada from France,” said his lordship.
“With the aid of the Colonies,” interrupted Mr. Adams.
“Perhaps we had better give politics the go-by and join the ladies,” said his lordship, rising and moving towards the parlor.
Pompey brought in the tea-urn, cups and saucers, sugar and cream.
“Shall I pass you a cup, Miss Newville?” Lord Upperton asked.