1[January 1787] (Adams Papers)
I received, two letters, and a couple of Packets of newspapers, from Europe, they were the more acceptable, as it is almost three months, since I have had any direct news from thence, before. After playing a few tunes to the young Ladies, In the evening, I went with Bridge, and paid a visit to Mr. Hilliard; a sensible man although his Sermons are rather cold. AA2 to JQA , 1 Sept.–12 Oct. 1786...
2[February 1787] (Adams Papers)
It snow’d, the greatest part of the day; but gently, and without wind. Miss Jones, this forenoon, quite suddenly, resolved to go to Boston and went in the midst of the Snow. She proposes passing a fortnight there, and as our vacation is to close, next Wednesday, I shall probably not have an opportunity of seeing her frequently again. I went to tea to Mr. Pearson’s, and in the evening...
3[March 1787] (Adams Papers)
Charles went to Boston this morning: in the afternoon, I was at Foster’s chamber; he introduced me to his father and to Mr. Bissi, a young french gentleman, who lives with the french Consul. He had been three years at a school at Passi, which I left in 1780, so that we had a fund of conversation, ready to our hands. We accompanied the gentlemen, into the library, the museum, and the philosophy...
4[April 1787] (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting the whole day, to hear Mr. Hilliard; and had moreover the supreme felicity of waiting on the amiable Miss Williams to her home. After meeting, at night, I wrote part of my forensic, for next Tuesday. Attended the meeting of the A B. in the evening: not many of the members present. Two or three pieces however were read, and a forensic dispute between Abbot 3d. and Dodge, upon...
5[May 1787] (Adams Papers)
It thundered this morning from seven to nine, with some rain. I went with Barron to Mr. Hilliard’s, and gave him the petition, which we desired him to deliver to the board of overseers. He told us we should not be so likely to succeed as we might if the Senate were to attend; they are detained by Boston by public affairs, as this is the last day on which the general Court propose to sit....
6[June 1787] (Adams Papers)
At 11, we had another lecture upon the optical instruments; the solar microscope, the telescope, the cylindric mirror, and the magic lantern came under consideration; we should have seen likewise the camera obscura, but the Clouds overshadowed the Sun so much, that the effect could not take place. I carried down my part to the president, for approbation: was not quite so indolent the whole...
7[July 1787] (Adams Papers)
Attended Mr. Wibird all day: in the afternoon, four children were baptised. We remain’d after meeting to hear the singing. Read some of Bolingbroke’s metaphysical speculation in the evening. Dull times. Miss Betsey and her brother pass’d the afternoon at Mrs. Quincy’s. I was quite indolent and idle almost all day. I was walking alone in the church-yard, rambling through the grass which waves...
8[August 1787] (Adams Papers)
A cold north-east storm. Reading and writing all day. Wrote a letter to my mother, and one to my Sister. Read some pages in Bolingbroke’s philosophical works: the stile and matter both inferior to his political writings. JQA to AA , 1 Aug. ( Adams Papers ); his letter to AA2 has not been found. Tom set out this morning for Haverhill. I expected to be there before now; but one thing and another...
9[September 1787] (Adams Papers)
Between 9 and 10 o’clock this morning I departed from Braintree with Mrs. Cranch: we got to Mr. Foster’s at about 12. I went to Mr. Dawes’s office, where I found Cranch and Forbes. Dined with the former at Mr. Foster’s. Stroll’d about town all the afternoon and just before Sun-set: I took a walk to Cambridge: where I arrived at about 8 o’clock. Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d;...
10[October 1787] (Adams Papers)
I have not yet got over the consequences of our frolick on Saturday evening. Three whole evenings I have by this means entirely lost, for I cannot yet write with any comfort. How inseparably in all cases of intemperance, is the punishment allied to the fault! Stedman went this day for Portsmouth, will return here to-morrow, and take his final leave on Wednesday. He is going to open an office...