1[September 1783] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Auteuil. French Comedy: le Joueur et le Retour imprévu. Jean François Regnard, Le joueur, Paris, 1697, and Le retour imprévu, Paris, 1700 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ; Cioranescu, Bibliographic du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature...
24. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Hartley’s.
3John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I should deserve, all the reproaches which my friends in America have made me if I neglected writing, by so good an Opportunity as the one that presents itself at this time. Mr. Thaxter who will deliver you this expects to sail for New-York in the course of this Month. He will probably carry the Definitive Treaty, (which was at last signed yesterday,) to Congress. So you will not receive this...
47. (Adams Papers)
C. Ital: Blaise et Babet, a la Clochette. See entry for 25 Aug., note 1 (above). La clochette , Paris, 1766, by Louis Anseaume, with music by Egide Romuald Duni ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
59. (Adams Papers)
Diné à Passi. C. Ital: Jeannot et Colin, l’heureuse Erreur et les Vendangeurs. Florian, Jeannot et Colin , Paris, 1780; Joseph Patrat, L’heureuse erreur, Paris, 1783; Pierre Antoine Augustin de Piis and Pierre Yves Barré, Les vendangeurs, ou, les deux baillis, Paris, 1780 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 ,...
610. (Adams Papers)
Diné à Auteuil. Eclipse totale de la Lune.
7John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
As you have ordered me in a Letter which I have Lately receiv’d to give you my own Observations on the Countries thro’ which I have travelled, the following are some upon Russia; but I must previously beg you will remember, that you Say in your Letter that you expect neither the precision of a Robertson, nor the Elegance of a Voltaire, therefore you must take them as they are. The government...
811. (Adams Papers)
C. Ital: Blaise et Babet et Isabelle et Gertrude. This was the third time JQA had seen this musical comedy in less than three weeks. Isabelle et Gertrude, ou, les sylphes supposés , Paris, 1765, by Charles Simon Favart, with music by Adolphe Blaise ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
913. (Adams Papers)
C. Fr: Mercure galant et Partie de Chasse de Henri 4. Edme Boursault, Le mercure galant, ou, la comédie sans titre , Paris, 1679; Charles Collé, La partie de chasse de Henri IV , Paris, 1766 ( Cioranescu, Bibliographie du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature française du dix-huitième siècle , Paris, 1965. ; Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz...
1014. (Adams Papers)
Fete de S: Cloud. Diné entre là et Auteuil. M: T——r parti. An annual festival held on the grounds of the royal palace of St. Cloud ( Journal de Paris , 4 Sept. 1785). John Thaxter left for Philadelphia, carrying with him the Definitive Treaty with Great Britain, and the original Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands, the latter signed at The Hague on 8 Oct. 1782 ( JA to Benjamin...
1116. (Adams Papers)
Varietés Amusantes Foire St. Laurent. An annual fair held from July to September (Jacques Antoine Dulaure, Histoire civile, physique et morale de Paris . . . , 10 vols., rev. and corr., Paris, 1825, 8:199–203; Almanach royal, 1783 Almanach royal, année M.DCCLXXVHI [8cc.]. Présenté à sa majesté pour la première fois en 1699 , Paris, no date. , p. 628).
12Saturday Septr. 20th. (Adams Papers)
The enthusiasm of the People of Paris for the flying Globes is very great, several Propositions have been made from Persons, who to enjoy the honour of having been the first Travellers through the air, are willing to go up in them and run ten risques to one of breaking their necks: one of the queerest propositions, is the following one taken from the Journal de Paris of Yesterday. Je partage...
13Monday Septr. 22th. (Adams Papers)
This morning (as my Father has been for some days very ill and the Country air being thought necessary for him) we removed from Paris to Auteuil at Mr. Barclay’s. The flying Globes are still much in Vogue: they have advertised a small one of eight inches diameter, at 6 livres a piece without air and 8 livres with it, but it has been carried so far that several accidents have happened to...
1424. (Adams Papers)
Mme. Ridley accouchée. Ann Richardson, whom Matthew Ridley married in England in 1775, gave birth to a son, Lucius, on this day. They were also living in the house of the Comte de Rouault at Auteuil to which they had moved for the sake of Mrs. Ridley’s health (Herbert E. Klingelhofer, “Matthew Ridley’s Diary during the Peace Negotiations of 1782,” WMQ William and Mary Quarterly. , 3d ser.,...
1526. (Adams Papers)
Diné chés M: Franklin.
1630. (Adams Papers)
Départ de M. Barclay.
17[October 1783] (Adams Papers)
Diné chéz M: l’Abbé de Chalut. Left Auteuil, with my Father, for London, at about 9 o’clock in the morning; rode 9 ½ posts as far as St. Just and stopp’d for the night. We dined at Chantilly. First entry in D/JQA/9, which covers the period 20 Oct.–6 Dec., but lacks entries for 27 Oct.; 5, 19, 22, 27–28 Nov.; and 3–4 Dec. This Diary booklet, measuring approximately 4½″ × 7¼″, consists of nine...
18October. 17. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Diné chéz M: l’Abbé de Chalut.
19Monday October 20th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Left Auteuil, with my Father, for London, at about 9 o’clock in the morning; rode 9 ½ posts as far as St. Just and stopp’d for the night. We dined at Chantilly. First entry in D/JQA/9, which covers the period 20 Oct.–6 Dec., but lacks entries for 27 Oct.; 5, 19, 22, 27–28 Nov.; and 3–4 Dec. This Diary booklet, measuring approximately 4½″ × 7¼″, consists of nine sheets of folded paper to create...
20Tuesday. 21st. (Adams Papers)
Set away from St. Just at about 7 ½ o’clock; dined at Amiens; the Capital of the Province of Picardy: stopp’d at Abbeville; after having rode 11. posts.
21Wednesday 22d. (Adams Papers)
In our Carriage at 6 o’clock, went 9 posts before dinner. Dined at Boulogne. Arrived at Calais at about 7 ½ o’clock having rode 13. posts. Lodged at Monsr. Dessein’s: Hotel d’Angleterre. Pierre Quillacq, or M. Dessein (or Dessin) as he was called, gained a great reputation from Laurence Sterne’s allusions to him and his hotel in A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy ( AA2, Jour. and...
22Thursday 23d [–Friday. Octr. 24th.]. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 10 o’clock we went on board the Packet Boat; for Dover. We got out of the harbour with a great deal of difficulty as the wind was quite Contrary, but as soon as we were out a Calm came on which lasted till about 11. o’clock at night. Some wind then arose which brought us near the Port of Dover: at about 2 in the morning; but the wind being very strong; we were obliged to go on...
23Saturday. Octr. 25. (Adams Papers)
We set away from Dover in a post chaise and pair; went through Canterbury; the chief see of all England. We were told there was a curious Cathedral there but had not time to go to see it. We dined at Rochester: a considerable city: 43 miles distant from Dover. We arrived at Dartford at about 4 ½ and stopp’d there for the Night. JQA ’s probable connotation here is “interesting” or “noteworthy”...
24Sunday Octr. 26th. (Adams Papers)
We came away from Dartford at about 8. o’clock; and arrived at London at about 11: the distance from Dover is. 72, miles: we took up Lodgings at Osborn’s Adelphi Hotel John Street; in the Strand. Osborne’s Hotel was in the Adelphi Buildings, extending from the Strand to the Thames, which were constructed in 1768 by the Adam brothers and used as dwellings and warehouses; John Street, off the...
25Tuesday. 28th. (Adams Papers)
The forenoon we went to see the Monuments in Westminster Abbey: we saw a great Collection of tombs of Kings, Heroes, Statesmen, and Poets. There are some very ancient monuments: a number of figures in wax and the chairs in which the kings and Queens of England are crowned: they are said to be more than 1400. years old: we had not time to examine very attentively this building: and shall...
26Wednesday 29th. (Adams Papers)
Took private lodgings; at Mr. Stockdale’s, opposite Burlington House Piccadilly. John Stockdale , London publisher and bookseller, became a long-time friend and correspondent of JA and later of JQA . He began shortly hereafter to publish works of American authors, including a reprint of John Almon’s edition of JA ’s Novanglus letters, History of the Dispute with America . . ., in London, 1784...
27Thursday 30th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went with some Gentlemen and Ladies to dine out of town. We pass’d over Westminster Bridge and Black Friars, and went through Islington, over High gate hill, to Ham p ste a d; where we dined. The appearance of the Land on this road is extremely rich, and at this time of year, the verdure is nearly as great, as it is in France in the Month of May. The Prospect is said to be the...
28Friday Octr. 31st. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Vaughan’s: in the evening we went to the Drury Lane Theatre, where Isabella, or the Fatal marriage and the Irish Widow, were represented. Mrs. Siddons; supposed to be the first Tragick performer in Europe, play’d the part of Isabella. A young Lady, in the next Box to where we were, was so much affected by it as to be near fainting and was carried out. I am told that every Night...
29[November 1783] (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with Mr. W. Vaughan to see the Paintings of Mr. Pine, and Mr. Copley, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Death of the Earl of Chatham, by Mr. Copley, is the most Remarkable of the Paintings We saw; it is very Beautiful. We went also to see Mrs. Wright’s waxwork. Dined at Mr. Bingham’s. Robert Edge Pine was born in London and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1784 with the intention of...
30Saturday November 1. 1783. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with Mr. W. Vaughan to see the Paintings of Mr. Pine, and Mr. Copley, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Death of the Earl of Chatham, by Mr. Copley, is the most Remarkable of the Paintings We saw; it is very Beautiful. We went also to see Mrs. Wright’s waxwork. Dined at Mr. Bingham’s. Robert Edge Pine was born in London and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1784 with the intention of...
31Sunday Novr. 2. 1783. (Adams Papers)
I went this forenoon to take a view of St. Paul’s Church, which is the largest, and most magnificent Protestant church now standing and excepting St. Peter’s at Rome the largest in the World. But we could not get into it, because on Sundays it is open only in Service time; and we were there between services, so we saw only the outside of it. It was built of a whitish stone, but the lower Parts...
32Monday Novr. 3. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went in the Evening to the theatre, Drury Lane where Measure for Measure, with the Apprentice were represented. Mrs. Siddons play’d the part of Isabella in measure for measure, because it had been said, she could not speak Shakespeare’s lines; and that she could not play in Comedy; for the first part she prov’d the contrary; as she play’d extremely well, but the critics say she has not yet...
33Tuesday Novr. 4th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon we went with Messrs. Jay, Bingham, and W. Vaughan, to see the Holophusicon, or Sir Ashton Lever’s Museum; there is an immense Collection, of all sorts of Natural History; But the most Compleat part is that of the birds, of which he has between three and four thousand; they are extremely Curious; and worth more examination than we had time to give to them. But besides this he has...
34Thursday Novr. 6th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
This day, being Term day, we went, with Mr. Jennings, and saw the procession of the Lawyers, and Judges to Westminster Hall; and we saw the four Courts; the Kings Bench, Common Pleas, Chancery, and Exchequer, all sitting. Dined at M: W. Vaughan’s. That is, the beginning of Michaelmas Term, one of four yearly sessions of English courts of law.
35Friday Novr. 7th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I went with M: W. Vaughan; and saw the Pantheon; a place of public entertainment; it is only remarkable for one Room which is very large and elegant. We went also to see the Cathedral of St Paul’s; the largest Protestant Church, extant. It is very magnificent on the outside; but the inside is by no means extraordinary; there is one thing which they say is to be met with no...
36Saturday Novr. 8. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went with Mr. West to see the Queen’s Palace called Buckingham House; from its having been built by Villiers: Duke of Buckingham; in the first Chamber, are the famous Cartoons of Raphael; which were Painted on Paper to be taken on Tapestry; at Brussels; there are 7. of them; they represented several of the Acts of the apostles; the name of the Painter makes it unnecessary to say, in what...
37Sunday [9th.] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Jebbs. John Jebb , doctor of medicine, encyclopedic scholar, and a thoroughgoing supporter of America from the outset of the quarrel between England and her colonies. JA described him as a man “for whom I have the highest Esteem; as one of the best Citizens of the little Commonwealth of the just upon Earth” (Caroline Robbins, The Eighteenth-Century Commonwealthman ..., Cambridge,...
38Monday Novr. 10th. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Covent Garden Theatre. King Henry VIII. and the Lord Mayor’s day, or a flight to Lapland; with the Grand Procession. Lord Mayor’s day. The day of the lord mayor of London’s inauguration, held usually every 9 Nov., is marked with a pageant known as the Lord Mayor’s Show. JQA saw Lord Mayor’s Day; or, A Flight from Lapland, a speaking pantomime, originally produced in 1782,...
39Tuesday Novr. 11th. (Adams Papers)
This day the Parliament met for the first Time; the Prince of Wales took his seat in the House of Peers, as duke of Cornwall, the King also made his most gracious speech from the Throne: All the Peers were in their Robes which are scarlet and white; the Kings, and the Prince of Wales’s were of purple velvet. George Augustus Frederick (1762–1830) , Prince Regent, 1811–1820, and afterward King...
40Wednesday Novr. 12th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Drury Lane Theatre; the pieces represented were, the West Indian and Fortunatus. The West Indian , London, 1771, by Richard Cumberland; Fortunatus, an unpublished pantomime, by Henry Woodward, originally produced in 1753 ( Biographia Dramatica David Erskine Baker and others, eds., Biographia Dramatica; Or, A Companion to the Play House ... , London, 1764-1812; 3 vols, in 4. ).
41Thursday Novr. 13th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. J. Johnson. In the evening we went to see the Transactions of the Royal Society; but unluckily we happened to come on a very barren Night: nothing was read, except a dry, unphilosophical account of the late Earthquake in Calabria: after which we went and supp’d with the Club at the London Coffee House. Joshua Johnson (1742–1802) , Maryland merchant, who undertook various...
42Friday Novr. 14th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Grierson. In the evening; we went to see Hughes’s Royal Circus, or exercises of equitation, which are not equal to those performed by Astley at Paris which I saw some time agone. Both Charles Hughes and Philip Astley were English equestrian performers who set up rival shows (Raymond Toole-Scott, Circus and Allied Arts: A World Bibliography, 1500–1970, 4 vols., Derby, England,...
43Saturday Novr. 15th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. West’s. In the evening I went to the Covent Garden Theatre, and saw Douglas, and the Poor Soldier: Mrs. Crawford appeared in the Character of Lady Randolph in Douglas. Douglas , London, 1757, by John Home; The Poor Soldier, a comic opera by John O’Keeffe, first produced on 4 Nov. ( Biographia Dramatica David Erskine Baker and others, eds., Biographia Dramatica; Or, A Companion to...
44Sunday Novr. 16th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Hartley’s.
45Monday Novr. 17th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. W. Vaughan’s: spent the evening at Mr. Fitch’s.
46Tuesday Novr. 18th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Oswald’s. Richard Oswald , the British peace commissioner who negotiated and signed the preliminary articles of peace with the United States on 30 Nov. 1782 ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 3:81–82 ).
47Thursday Novr. 20th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Rogers’s.
48Friday Novr. 21st. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Fitch at the St. Albans Tavern. The Tavern, on St. Albans Street, Pall Mall, was renowned for political and fashionable dinners and meetings ( Wheatley, London Past and Present Henry B. Wheatley, London Past and Present: Its History, Associations, and Traditions , London, 1891; 3 vols. , 1:12).
49Sunday. Novr. 23d. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Champion. Probably Richard Champion , a Bristol ceramist and close friend of American Commissioner Henry Laurens after his release from the Tower. In 1782 Burke had Champion appointed to government office, in which capacity he established contact with other Americans. In 1784 he anonymously published Considerations on the Present Situation of Great Britain and the United States...
50Monday Novr. 24th. (Adams Papers)
Genl. Roberdeau, and his Son dined with us. In the Evening, we went with Mr. West to the Academy of Painting sculpture and Architecture: we first went into a Room where there was a naked man standing and about 25 or 30 students taking his figure, either in drawing, or in plaister: afterwards we went and heard a very good Lecture upon Anatomy: these Lectures are Read every monday evening. After...