350117th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Peyron and two of Mr. Rimbert’s Nephews came to pay us a visit. Mr. D. went to Mr. Wolff’s. We dined with Mr. Rimbert, Mr. Peyron and several other gentlemen, at Mr. Colombi’s. Wrote a letter for America. To Elizabeth Cranch ( Adams Family Correspondence, Adams Family Correspondence , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1963- . 4:297–299 ).
350216th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about 10 o’clock we left Åbo at the same time with the Prince Galitzin, but Mr. Gummer intends to stay there about a week because he has all his family here and has been a long time absent. We went this day 7 ½ Miles as far as the first passage at Helsings.
3503[September 1786] (Adams Papers)
Studied Algebra all the forenoon. Took books from the Library, Brydone’s Tour vol: 2d. Ossian’s Poems, and Boswell’s Corsica. The weather begins to grow quite cold. This morning I shivered, almost all prayer Time. It is however to be hoped it will not set in, so soon. Patrick Brydone, A Tour Through Sicily and Malta..., 2 vols., London, 1774; The Works of Ossian, The Son of Fingal, Transl....
3504[TitlePage] (Adams Papers)
Titlepage of D/JQA/8, on the cover of a leather-bound 7¼″ × 4⅜″ writing book with the inscription in an unknown hand. The Diary book covers the period 6 – 29 Aug. (with no entries for 13–14, 17–19, and 24–26 Aug.) and 20 – 22 Sept. 1783, only, taking up 34 of the book’s 104 pages. These entries are printed with those remaining from D/JQA/7; but see entry for Januarius 1783, note 1 (post 31...
350524th. (Adams Papers)
Townsend went to Topsfield to hear a cause tried before a justice. Stedman has been hunting all over the neighbourhood for his horse, who disappeared on Saturday. Thomson has an whole week respite from his school; but did not come to the office in the afternoon: I was there alone: Amory return’d from Boston between 4 and 5, and at about 6 set off for Exeter. Tomorrow he goes to Portsmouth and...
35067th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Esther day a great holiday for the Russians. They present eggs, this day. Mr. Artaud dined out, in the forenoon. In the afternoon I went and took a walk upon the quay. Very Fine weather. Finished the first volume of Robertson’s history of Charles V. 394 pages.
350726th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Patten, a young Clergyman from Rhode Island, preach’d in the forenoon, from Proverbs III. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are Peace. I never felt so disagreeably, in hearing any Preacher. He look’d as if he had already, one foot in the grave, and appeared plainly, to suffer while he spoke. His diction was flowery, but he spoke, in a whining manner, lowering his...
350821st. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This morning our German master came to give us a lesson for the first time; Mr. Rimbert came to pay a visit to Mr. D. Dined at Mr. Rimbert’s with Mr. D. and Mr. Artaud. After dinner we went to see Mr. Colombi. Mr. Artaud supped out. The extent of JQA ’s German language instruction while he lived in St. Petersburg was limited, and the name of his master is unknown. Believing that JA would...
35092d. (Adams Papers)
The storm continued all night with unabated violence, and it blew so hard that one of our Windows was burst in. While we were fixing it up again, the bell, rang and toll’d for prayers though neither of us heard it. It continued snowing as much as ever till about noon, and there was no meeting all day. After dinner, I went and spent a couple of hours at Sever’s chamber, after which I returned...
351027th. (Adams Papers)
The forenoon discourse was upon Revelations, III. 15 and 16. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art luke-warm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. A very good Sermon was delivered, to inculcate a proper Zeal for Religion, and to show, the evil Consequences, of a lukewarm disposition. In the...
351111th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went with Mr. Artaud to the Shops. Dined at Mr. Rimberts. Mr. Colombi dined there also. Borrowed of Mr. Peyron the first volume of Dryden’s Virgil. In the afternoon we went to see the Katchells . Mr. Artaud supped out. The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Aeneis. Translated into English Verse; by Mr. Dryden, London, 1697. Later editions contained 3...
3512[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...
3513Tuesday July 17th 1781. (Adams Papers)
Stay’d at Francfort all day, nothing remarkable happen’d.
351417th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter return’d from his journey this Evening. He had a very disagreeable time to-day; as the greatest part of it, has been very Rainy. But with such special calls as he has here the Weather must be no impediment to travelling: he brought a number of Letters from Braintree, and some books for me. Letters to JQA , if any, have not been found.
3515N.(1782)S. May.: 1st. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon Mr. Artaud and Mr. D. went and took a walk upon the Neva. After dinner the youngest Mr. Montréal came here, and I went with him and Mr. Artaud to the Shops. Mr. D went and took a ride. Fine weather.
3516Letters of administration for estate of John Adams, 1 August 1826 (Adams Papers)
Edward H Robbins Esquire Judge of the Probate of Wills, and for granting Letters of Administration on the Estates of Persons deceased, having goods, chattels, rights or credits in the County of Norfolk within the Commonwealth aforesaid. To all unto whom these Presents shall come greeting. Know Ye, That upon the day of the date hereof, before Me at a Court of Probate, held at Dedham, in the...
351724th. (Adams Papers)
Went down to the President’s, for an order to take a book from the Library, but he did not know whether he could give it me without leave from the Corporation. Mr. Thaxter was here a few minutes; but was on his return to Haverhill. Mr. and Mrs. Cranch, Dr. Tufts, Mr. Isaac Smith, and his Sister Betsey were here at Tea. Was at Bridge’s chamber in the Evening. For Harvard’s numerous and detailed...
351830th. (Adams Papers)
I went into Paris in the morning, and called upon Mr. d’Asp the secretary of the Sweedish Embassy, and we went together, to the Abbé Grenet’s, a professer of the College of St. Jean de Beauvais, who has invented a curious sort of Sphere, with brass circles round it, by which he shows the motion of the Sun, and moon, and by means of which he has made some, astronomical observations, unknown...
3519Saturday 21st 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning at five o’clock we set of f from Gotha and arriv’d at Naumburg (distant 60 Miles) at about 6 o’clock. Pretty good roads the ground wholly cultivated; flat level country till we get about 10 Miles from Naumburg and then it begins to be a little mountainous.
352021st. (Adams Papers)
All day at home. I am often at a great loss, what to say at the End of a day, in this Journal, of mine: I would place my thoughts upon Persons and things: but Persons I do not often see, and when I am in Company with a new Character, and recollect my Observations upon it, they are for the most part either such as I am afraid I should in future consider as partial and ill natured, or wholly...
352114th. (Adams Papers)
White went to Haverhill. I determined with Little upon two Pieces, to publish in the next Magazine for the A B. Concluded my Forensic, for the exhibition. Weather begins to be quite cold.
352214th. (Adams Papers)
At 5 in the morning I was in my Cabriolet, and never stopp’d anywhere untill I arrived at Rennes, which was at 11. at night. By coming through a cross road I shortened the Journey 3 posts; so that I came only 13 ½ or 81. miles. The roads were so bad that I could not ride more speedily. I trembled whenever I saw a town before me: for they are all paved in such a manner, that it seems done on...
35234th. (Adams Papers)
We had this morning a forensic given out, to be read next week, on the Question whether the diversities in national characters arise chiefly from Physical Causes. I am to support the affirmative, and think upon the whole it is the best side of the Question. Our musical Society met in the evening at Vose’s chamber.
352411th. (Adams Papers)
This day being Captain Fournier’s, jour de fête, he gave us an excellent entertainment on board: and when his health was drank at the desert, 5 guns were fir’d in his Honour. As there was a more considerable space of time between the fourth and fifth than between the others Mr. Le Bel was very much irritated: fearing that the fifth would not be fired; a salute in an even number is English, and...
3525Friday 7th. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set away from Manzilla with good weather and roads but very cold. We stopt and dined at a little village the name of which I donot know and at 5 o clock P M arrived at St. Juan le Segun Sahagún which is a Small city at 6 Leagues from Manzillo. Referred to by Dana as Burgo, or more precisely, El Burgo Ranero ( Dana, Journal ).
352615th. (Adams Papers)
After passing the day as usual at the office, Townsend, came spent the evening and supp’d with me. The weather for these three or four days past has been excessive cold; but has moderated greatly this evening. After supper I amused myself an hour or two with writing. And I have been reading two or three of Shakespear’s historical plays. I believe I should improve my reading to greater...
35275th. (Adams Papers)
The weather this day has been extreme cold: I have not experienced the severity of the Season, so much since the winter I pass’d in Sweeden. I pass’d the evening with Townsend and Amory at Dr. Smith’s. The old man is very fond of telling long stories, and indeed it is quite necessary to attend to him. There are however two young ladies in the house, to whom we attend with much more pleasure....
3528Thursday October 2d. (Adams Papers)
I took my seat in the stage, in Company with a Lady who came from Portsmouth, and Mr. Vaughan, a brother of the gentlemen with whom I was acquainted in London. It was seven in the evening before we got to Boston. I went to Mr. Smith’s; we pass’d part of the evening and lodged at Dr. Welch’s. Lodg’d at Mr. Smith’s.
3529Tuesday 11th. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 7 ½ we set away from Sellada el Cameno. At about 10 o clock it began to snow and snow’d about a Quarter of an Hour. At about 12 o clock we arrived at Burgos which is a City about as big as Corunna. We shall lodge here to night. We have come 4 Leagues to day. I said that at Astorga we should determine the routs, we did determine not to go to Madrid but we shall determine at this...
3530[March 1785] (Adams Papers)
Coldest weather we have had this year. Reaumur’s thermometer at 8 degrees below the freezing point. Abbé de Chalût told me last evening, that neither he nor his brother, (and they are both turned of seventy,) remember ever to have experienced so cold weather in the beginning of March. Paris afternoon. La Servante Maitresse , and, the 20th. Representation of Richard Coeur de Lion , an Opera, at...
3531[Titlepage] (Adams Papers)
a e A. b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, received u h, z o mb w, e, a, f k, v i, v, w, x, y, z j Journal L Jaulvob. D. Siumcez r. Saufrit august jaulvob a have Journal. a
353227th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews preached for us this day; and was somewhat longer than usual to the great satisfaction of some people who cannot easily be contented. Mr. Spring, and Mr. Murray, both had a third meeting in the evening; it was occasional at Mr. Murray’s, but Mr. Spring is determined henceforth to make a practice of giving a lecture on Sundays; besides, one in the evening, on Thursdays. As Mr....
3533Sunday 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...
353417th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews preach’d for us; this forenoon he was lengthy in his prayer upon the late misfortunes in the several families. In his Sermon he likewise touched upon the subject, in recommending to us, so to number our days, that we might apply our hearts unto wisdom. I past the evening with Townsend. There fell a considerable quantity of rain, in the course of the last night, and of this day. And...
353531st. (Adams Papers)
I amuse myself in reading Junius’s letters; which though the factious productions of a partizan, contain many excellent observations upon men and manners. We met this evening at Putnam’s. Thompson left us to go to Lecture! Below JQA ’s line-a-day entry for 31 July in D/JQA/13, he has written in Byrom’s shorthand method “year August 28th,” the significance of which is unknown to the editors,...
3536Friday 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...
3537Sunday September 7th. 1788. (Adams Papers)
The Marquis to Sainneville, commander of the french Squadron now in the harbour, and the Chevalier Maccarty de Martegues captain of the Achille, dined here to day. Several other officers were detained by the badness of the weather. In his line-a-day entry, JQA mentions “Meeting, forenoon” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
353821st. (Adams Papers)
Upon Stacey’s invitation I went with him and Putnam, and two young lads by the name of Greenough, to Mr. Greenleaf’s; where we had something like a concert of music. The house was soon filled with people; it seemed as if there was nobody within five miles that had ever heard the sound of a violin before. Some of the young Ladies thought it would be pretty to join with their voices in the...
3539Saturday 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...
354027th. (Adams Papers)
Attended Mr. Hilliard, the whole day: he preach’d in the afternoon a Charity Sermon, and a contribution was made, for the benefit of the unfortunate sufferers, at the late fire in Boston. There was a scandalous stamping, by some of the students, at the time of singing. Such conduct must always bring disgrace upon the University itself. Samuel Putnam , of Danvers, Essex C, was 20, the 13th. of...
354124th. (Adams Papers)
Began upon Coke-Littleton, and read about a dozen pages. Pass’d about an hour in the evening with Mr. Parsons, playing back-gammon. I have often wondered at the blind, unreasonable affection, which Nature has given to parents for their Children. It is so unaccountable upon any principle of ratiocination, that I have thought it was the effect of mere instinct totally independent of the mind....
354211. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Smith and Louisa. W. Cranch.
354317th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d us two good occasional sermons from Proverbs II. 3. 4. 5. If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord; and find the knowledge of God. The Sciences were his topic, and the importance of...
354431st. (Adams Papers)
The Sophimores are very fearful that their yesterday’s conduct has brought them into difficulties. Mr. Reed, who found his door broken through, when he return’d from Boston, is very much incensed and will probably, take measures to discover the persons who offered the insult. Mr. Williams gave us a lecture upon a number of optical instruments. I trifled away this day. John Sever of Kingston,...
35457th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch and Miss Betsey return’d from Boston this evening. Presumably this was written by JQA and is the piece to which he refers in his entry for 24 Jan. 1788 (below). Rev. Timothy Hilliard, minister of the First Church in Cambridge. John Foxcroft, a justice of the peace and county registrar of deeds, whose suspected sympathy for the British lost him his positions. Foxcroft continued to...
354621st. (Adams Papers)
This is the day, when our Class should by rights, have quitted college; but they have been dropping off by degrees, these three weeks, so that there were not left more than three or four to go away, to-day. For my own part I have been dull and low spirited; the whole day. We took a walk this evening with the two young ladies.
354731st. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Began Hume’s second volume of the History of England. Went to the shops and bought some things.
3548N.(1782.) S. September. 1st. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon the youngest Mr. Montréal came here. Din’d with Mr. Artaud at Mr. Rimbert’s. After dinner I took a walk with Mr. Artaud and the eldest Mr. Montréal to the Convent of St. Alexander Newsky. We went to see the tomb which is of solid silver. When I return’d Mr. D was gone to take a ride. Alexander Nevski, Russian hero and saint. As prince of Novgorod, he defeated the Swedes in 1240...