295126th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I went to take a ride with Mr. Artaud. In the afternoon Mr. D. went to take a walk. I went to the post office to see about some newspapers.
2952Aug. 20th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Passy with the Abbé de Chalut.
29537th. (Adams Papers)
Sacrament day. Mr. Hilliard, preach’d in the morning from 1st. of Corinthians. I. 30. But of him are ye, in Christ Jesus, who of God, is made unto us, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption. I do not remember all his arguments; What I did remember , was not so pleasing to me, as his afternoon, discourse, which was from Acts. XI. 26. And the disciples, were called...
29544th. (Adams Papers)
We had after prayers a class-meeting, upon the subject of a private commencement. Freeman read the Petition, which he was desired by the class to draw up; it was voted that it should be carried up this week. I went with Sever, and pass’d the evening at Mr. Gerry’s. Just before we went it began to snow, but when we return’d, we had a violent storm, with the wind in our faces all the way. Sat...
295516th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. Mr. Artaud went on hunting. In the forenoon Mr. D. went and took a walk; and in the afternoon to Mr. Wolff’s. Thermometer 19 degrees. heat. Thunder shower in the afternoon. Cleared up afterwards.
295621st. (Adams Papers)
Same Story over again. Chilly, and misty. This is but a poor way of dragging out an existence; I want much to be doing something: here, every minute something turns up to prevent me, from writing. I could do more in two days at Cambridge, than I have in the whole vacation here. Next Wednesday we shall again return to our Business.
2957[July 1788] (Adams Papers)
It was nine o’clock before I could get away from Braintree this morning, and I arrived at the Colleges just before the exhibition began. A Latin Oration was spoken by Kirkland and was very well. The Forensic between Palmer and Waterman was tolerable, but I forget the subject. The english Dialogue between Thacher and Gray was well spoken, but rather stiff. The greek Dialogue between the...
29584th. (Adams Papers)
The british Packet sailed at about 10, in the morning. The weather was rainy, so I did not go out till almost noon. I then went with Mr. Harrison, and was by him introduced to Mrs. Swift and Miss Riché, from Philadelphia. Dined at Mr. Osgood in a pretty large Company. Young Mr. van Berkel said his Sister had arrived, somewhat sooner than he expected she would. The minister is gone to...
295930th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon I went with Mr. Artaud to the Post office to see about the news papers. Went to take a walk. Mr. D took a ride. Fine weather.
29606th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Peyron was brought to bed of a girl this day. Mr. D. took a walk before dinner. Mr. Montréal dined here. After dinner I went and took a walk in the garden. Fine weather. Mr. Hoogwerst came to see us in the evening.
296111th. (Adams Papers)
There has been no reciting this day. Cranch, went to Boston, in the morning, and will not probably return this Night. I have been employ’d almost all day in writing off, Mr. Williams’s yesterday Lecture; perhaps I spend too much time, at this, but I think it may be of considerable advantage, for the Study of S’Gravesande’s; and the whole must be over before the 21st. of June; on that day, the...
296229th. (Adams Papers)
It is a most unhappy Circumstance, for a Man to be very ambitious, without those Qualities which are necessary to insure him Success in his Attempts. Such is my Situation, If it be a Sin to covet Honour I am the most offending Soul alive. But I have not the faculty of convincing the persons that compose the small Circle in which I move, that my deserts are equal to my pretentions and...
296320th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at home all day. Mr. D. went out in the forenoon. Cloudy weather.
2964[November 1788] (Adams Papers)
Rode as usual; and read Gibbon &c. General Knox dined with us. P. M. After “P.M.” follows in shorthand “no meeting.” Cicero de Senectute. Getting well. Cicero’s Cato Major de Senectute , or Essay on Old Age. Went to Boston with Mrs. Cranch. Returned. W. Cranch came from Boston. Fine weather. Evening at Mrs. Quincy’s. Parson Wiberd. The entry concludes with shorthand for “no feeling.” Mr. and...
2965Thursday June 1st. 1786. (Adams Papers)
We had this forenoon a Lecture from Mr. Williams. Upon the reflection and the refraction of light. It is not usual for him to give Lectures on Thursdays, as many of both the Classes, are always absent on that day; as was the Case to day, not above half being present. But he has been so long prevented, by the weather, from giving any, that he is obliged to take the first fair day that happened:...
296619th. (Adams Papers)
Spent the day, in alternately reading, writing, walking, and playing. This is dull life, and convinces me, how grossly the whole herd of novel and romance writers, err, in trumping up, a Country life. Let them say what they will: the most proper situation for man, is that which calls forth the exertion of faculties, and gives play to his passions. A negative kind of happiness, like that of the...
296710th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon Mr. D. went and took a walk. In the afternoon he rode out. Went to the concert in the evening with Mr. Artaud. Fine weather.
2968January 1st. 1785. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Compliments to the Royal family at Versailles. My father carried twenty Guineas to distribute among the servants of the great folks, a tribute every minister is obliged to pay annually.
296923d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch went this morning to Boston. His Son, went with him, and will proceed to Haverhill, for his Sister Lucy. Leonard and Peggy White, return’d to Boston. Thayer one of Charles’s classmates, dined here, and after dinner they both set off to go to Scituate. Thus from a numerous company, we are all at once reduced to a very small party; I went down in the afternoon to the library. Miss...
2970Sunday July 17th. 1785. (Adams Papers)
At four in the morning we came to anchor, and weigh’d it again at eight o’clock: we sailed up the North River, and pass’d by the ruins of the forts built by the British while they were in possession of New York. Upon Staten Island they are numerous. The Entrance of this river furnishes a number of very beautiful prospects; and the Situation of a number of country Seats upon Long Island is...
297117. (Adams Papers)
Fine weather. Gunning with Tom. Townsend.
297221st. (Adams Papers)
At 7 o’clock in the morning I left Cape’s tavern, and went to carry one of my trunks, to Water Street N: 7. where Mr. Fontfreyde lives, as I intend to send the trunk by the first opportunity to Boston, and I preferr’d leaving it with a friend, to taking it with me. Dr. A. Lee, arrived last night; and lodges with the president, his brother. I went and delivered a letter to Governor Clinton, who...
29737. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. A went to Boston. Dined at Mr. Cranch’s.
2974Sunday August 8th. [1784]. (Adams Papers)
Left London, travelled to Sittingbourne. 43. miles. In the latter part of Dec. 1783, JA and JQA traveled from London to Bath via Oxford, but were unable to remain long at the famous spa because of the unsettling news that the Dutch loan which JA had obtained the previous summer had been overdrawn. Although JA ’s health had improved little during his short stay in England, he and JQA left...
297524th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Carey is still very sick, and we had no divine service this day at his meeting. I again pass’d the whole day at home; I was tired in the evening, and took a walk as far as Deacon Thompson’s; and desired Tom, to come, and pass an hour with me which he did. I called at Putnam’s, but he was not at home.... I wrote diligently in the course of the day, and acquired some little credit. JQA ’s...
297621. (Adams Papers)
Variable weather. Gibbon’s history.
2977Sunday 30th. (Adams Papers)
This Morning Pappa went out and at about half after one came home with Mr. Jennings who dined here. After dinner we went to the parc. We walked there some time after which we went to the cathedral. We met Mr. Jennings’s Nephew whose name is Bordly. We heard part of a sermon spoke in Flemish. We saw an alter the banisters of which were of Solid silver and cost 30000 Pound sterling. We heard...
297814th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons return’d this afternoon from Boston, where the supreme judicial Court, and the general assembly are now sitting. I called with Pickman, to see Townsend, who is now confined to the house; and pass’d an hour or two with him: And for this day I have nothing more to say.
297911. (Adams Papers)
Rain all day. Cleared up in the evening.
29804th. (Adams Papers)
The weather has been rather disagreeable this day. In the evening I went with Thompson and Putnam, to Mr. Bradbury’s, where we found a large company. Mr. W. Parsons and his wife; Mr. Sigourney, and his enamorata and an innumerable quantity of Miss Greenleafs’. We pass’d the evening as usual: singing, playing cards &c. Mr. Sigourney, has a very good voice, and entertained the company much more...
2981December 1. 1788. (Adams Papers)
Charles return’d to Cambridge.
2982Monday Novr. 17th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. W. Vaughan’s: spent the evening at Mr. Fitch’s.
298326. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Thaxter. Genl. Lincoln.
2984Mond 15th. (Adams Papers)
This morning a brig and a schooner went out I suppose after wood to the eastward. About 8 o clock the Gentlemen went to breakfast. Sammy Charles and I dont breakfast with them. About ten o clock we set sail in company with a brig which is to carry back the Pilot and the Courier De L’Europe who came from France with us. About half after three the Pilot went away from us; he told us he would...
298514th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard preach’d all day. It is a long time since he has given us any variety: but on the other hand he writes short Ser mons, which is very much in his favour, in cold weather. Dined at Mr. Dana’s. Forbes came up from Boston this afternoon, and lodg’d here. I pass’d the evening at Mr. Wigglesworth’s. Miss Jones, has recovered from the sour fit which she has been in for several days, and...
2986Sunday. 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...
29874th. (Adams Papers)
The wind was very high all the forenoon; and although the sky was clear, the drifting of the snow, has made it very disagreeable walking. We dined at the President’s: he was more sociable than I have seen him before. Mrs. Willard and Mrs. Miller, are both very agreeable. The weather in the evening being fine, we walk’d down to Mr. Dana’s, and pass’d two or three hours with them; Mrs. Dana,...
2988Monday October 1st. 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...
2989Tuesday September 30th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was not very favourable, but, as the court of common pleas was to sit this week in Newbury-Port, I concluded to return there. When I got home, I found Bridge unwell. Nothing done at court but preparatory business this day. I retired early to bed.
2990Sunday 21st. (Adams Papers)
Nothing remarkable to day except calm all day. 6 o clock. It begins to freshen. We go about 3 knots an hour.
29914th. (Adams Papers)
It has not yet cleared up, but no Snow fell this day. In the Evening I went down to Mr. White’s to see Leonard, who arrived from Cambridge this afternoon. The Winter Vacation, at the University began this day, and will last, five Weeks. There was Company at Mr. White’s. Mr. White from Boston, a person exceeding tall, but of easy manners. Mr. Bil: Blodget, the study of whose life is, to be...
299216th. (Adams Papers)
Spent the evening and supp’d at Mr. Rimbert’s. Rainy weather all day. Mr. Artaud dined out.
299326th. (Adams Papers)
Employ’d myself the whole day in writing. Dr. Tufts was here in the forenoon. I am now waiting here, and preparing for a tour of three or four weeks, before I take up my final abode at Newbury.
29949th. (Adams Papers)
Staid at Home all day.
29956th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This day I din’d and supp’d at Mr. Rimberts.
299620th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon Mr. D went and took a ride. In the evening walk’d in the summer garden. Cloudy Weather.
299715th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I went to see Mr. Parsons, and inform’d him that I should probably attend at his office in about three weeks: Stedman and Thomson are there now, but the former of these will leave the office, by the latter end of next month. My classmate Putnam has applied for admission, and intends, I am told to enter the office in November. Two at once would be full sufficient, but if there...
299829th. (Adams Papers)
Paid a visit this morning to Mr. Tracey, but he was not at home. At about eleven in the morning I received a billet from my Cousin Betsey, telling me I must be in Boston before dinner, as Mr. Peabody, would certainly leave town this afternoon, for Haverhill. That she could not go with me, as we had intended, another woman, having engaged a place in the Chaise. I immediately hastened to Boston;...
299930th. (Adams Papers)
Writing all day. Dr. Tufts was over here in the afternoon. Weather very cold; a fire in dog-days seems quite unnatural; but is very comfortable at present.
300013th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Thermometer in the morning at 25 degrees below 0. Went in the forenoon to Mr. Rimbert’s. In the afternoon, I went with Mr. Artaud to the Shops, and bought some things. Thermometer at night at 26 ½ degrees. below.0. Fine clear weather all day.