3014th. (Adams Papers)
All the family dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, who entertains all the Americans every Monday. There were however very few there this Day. Le Chevalier de la Touche, General Armand, and some other french gentlemen dined there. Mr. Williamos promised to get me a ticket for the Session of the Academie des Sciences on Wednesday. Louis René Madeleine Le Vassor, Comte de La Touche-Tréville,...
30229. (Adams Papers)
Thompson got home. Court at Mr. Atkins’s.
303John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 20 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have been looking out for lodgings, yesterday and this day, and have at length found a bed Room, in the House, where Mr. Smith lodges; and as he intends to go into the Country next week, I shall then take those Rooms which he now occupies. Captain Calohan , is expected every day, and it is very probable that within a fortnight, I shall hear from our Ladies. I have not seen Mr. Stockdale yet,...
30426th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon, I took a walk with Thompson, to see Little. He has the small pox full, upon him at this time. We returned, and I pass’d the evening at Mrs. Emery’s. Judge Greenleaf’s daughters, and Miss Smith and Miss Wendell were there. The evening was not agreeable; there was too much ceremony and too little sociability: we conducted the Ladies home, and retired. JQA was inoculated in July...
30529th. (Adams Papers)
At about 10. o’clock Mr. Thaxter came in from Hingham on his way to Boston: he stay’d but a few minutes, and I set off with him. We got into Town before one. I dined with Miss B. Smith, who still lives in the house that was her father’s. Mrs. Cranch was there, and went for Braintree soon after dinner. I went and spent the evening with Dr. Kilham at his lodgings: he has made himself rather...
30616th. (Adams Papers)
Townsend intended to have set away this morning; to go to Medfield; but the weather was so chilly and disagreeable that he thought it would be best to wait another day. Thompson and I dined and pass’d a great part of the day with him. I was again disappointed upon the arrival of the stage, as I have been so often heretofore; by hearing no news from Boston. I began upon Bacon’s pleas and...
30730th. (Adams Papers)
I called this morning at Mr. Bradbury’s office, and affronted Putnam by rallying him upon his deception last night. In the afternoon I walked with Thompson: we overtook Mr. J. Tracy and his Lady; and accompanied them. As we were passing by Mrs. Atkins’s she arrived, with her son from Boston. We stopp’d there a few minutes. Genl. Lincoln is Lieutt. Governor, &c. We spent the remainder of the...
3086th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was rather disagreeable in the morning, and Mrs. Warren was disposed to stay and pass the Sunday with us. But her Son was so anxious to get home, that she finally determined to go; and they went away at about nine. I attended at meeting, and heard Parson Wibird dose over a couple of Sermons. There is none of my time that I regret more than that I spend in hearing him: were it not...
30920th. (Adams Papers)
I was up early in the morning, and mounted my horse at about seven. It was ten when I got into Boston. I went to Mr. Smith’s, and found my father was gone to Braintree but my Mamma was at the Governor’s: I immediately went there and enjoy’d all the satisfaction that can arise from the meeting so near and dear a friend after a long absence. We dined at Deacon Storer’s. Old Mrs. Edwards was...
3109th. (Adams Papers)
Amory went to Salem this afternoon. They have a ball there this evening, said to be given to the Court. Amory went to attend it. I pass’d the evening at Mr. Bradbury’s, where we play’d a number of tunes in concert, besides a cheating game of cards. I got through the theory of the earth. I am more and more pleased with the author. One part of his theory is merely hypothetical, and might perhaps...
31126th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at the judge’s, and then returned to College. Finished the projection of my eclipse, for exhibition. Mr. Read gave out this morning to the Class, the calculation of a solar Eclipse for 1791 as the last exercice, on that score. This afternoon I calculated the elements for it. Oliver Fiske of Brookfield, will be 25. the 2d. of Septr. next. Solidity of judgment; independence of...
31210th. (Adams Papers)
George Warren came over from Milton this forenoon, and paid us a visit. He opened an office in Milton last winter, and has done as much business, as a lawyer generally does for the first six months after he begins; but the prospects are far from being encouraging. When I am in spirits this circumstance strikes me only as an incentive to more strenuous exertions: and at such times I feel such a...
31326th. (Adams Papers)
We had this day two very good Sermons, from II. Kings XXII. 20th. Behold therefore I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place and from Romans XII. 15. Rejoice, with them that do rejoyce, and weep with them that weep. The former, was an occasional discourse; the other was...
31416th. (Adams Papers)
A very fine day. At about 10 this morning, the president and his Lady, Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard, Mr. Tucker and Mr. Ware, arrived here on their way to Sandwich. They breakfasted here, and proceeded forward, at about eleven. I was just mounting with my Classmate Vose when Foster and Lloyd came up, in company with Dr. Howard and Mr. Foster. They stopt to refresh their horses; we waited for them,...
31513th. (Adams Papers)
Williams set out this morning for Cambridge. I at length got me some wood, and had a fire in my chamber, which will enable me hence forth to study more in the evenings. Thompson was with me an hour or two this night.
31630th. (Adams Papers)
Charles went to Boston this forenoon. I have been somewhat idle for several days: and expect to continue so till the exhibition is over; for so long as that is before me I can pay very little attention to any thing else. I found this to be the case last fall, and do now, still more so but, thank fortune I have only one more trial at the worst, of this kind to go through; which will be at...
3176th. (Adams Papers)
Attended Mr. Hilliard all day. He preach’d rather better than usual, I think. Dined with my brothers at Judge Dana’s. He looks much better, than I have seen him at any time since he has been sick. The weather in the course of the day was disagreeably warm; more so than it has been at any time this Season, but in the evening it grew cooler, and, rained very plentifully. Pass’d the greatest part...
3183d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Moore breakfasted with us. Mr. Parsons is quite unwell, and has been so for two or three days past. This evening White called at the office; he came from Haverhill this day. He passed the evening, and lodged with me. Townsend, Thomson and Putnam were like wise here in the evening. I feel neither the inclination nor the power to expatiate, upon the events of the day, which were very...
31920th. (Adams Papers)
At nine this morning we left Plymouth, and proceeded with Sever, and Warren, to Kingston. They had been up the whole night, and we were upon the run, the greatest part of the two last nights; we were consequently very much worn out and fatigued. Just as we arrived at Mr. Sever’s in Kingston, we found the President and his Lady, going from there. We rambled about before and after dinner: and...
3209th. (Adams Papers)
Had the whole day to myself; as I did not attend the afternoon recitation. Spent my Time in reading Ferguson, and Saunderson. Nicholas Saunderson, The Elements of Algebra, In Ten Books ..., 2 vols., Cambridge, England, 1740 ( Harvard, Catalogus Bibliothecae , 1790 [Isaac Smith, comp.], Catalogus Bibliothecae Harvardianae Cantabrigiae Nov- Anglorum , Boston, 1790. , p. 1). JQA may have used his...
32110th. (Adams Papers)
A violent north east storm continued the whole day, with copious rain: there has fallen more this day, than in any other two for a twelve-month past: and it will be very serviceable to the ground: Mr. Thaxter and Mr. Greenleaf were here this afternoon from Haverhill; but notwithstanding the storm, they proceeded to Boston. Pass’d the evening with Cranch.
32216th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Weld the Minister in the middle Parish, preached for Mr. Wibirt, and took his text all day from Hebrews IV.11. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. I have not heard a more indifferent prayer, or Sermon, since I came home. Sermon I say, for although I was all day at meeting, yet I did not hear the afternoon one. We went down...
32313th. (Adams Papers)
The Class recite this week to Mr. Burr: but I was so unwell this morning that I did not attend. We had in the afternoon the last lecture upon Trigonometry. Mr. W. recommended to us to proceed upon the projection of the sphere and, upon conic sections. Mrs. Cranch and Miss Betsey were here in the afternoon. The parts for the next exhibition were distributed. Putnam has the English oration,...
3246th. (Adams Papers)
Recited in Doddridge’s Lectures on divinity. This is an attempt to refute mathematically all the objections, that have been raised against the Christian religion, and the Bible in general; I wish we studied some other book instead of that. A day or two since, Mr. Hale, the Tutor in metaphysics, gave us out a forensic question, to dispute upon, Tuesday, the 16th. of this Month. I employ’d...
3253d. (Adams Papers)
A number of the Class drank tea in the morning at Bridge’s chamber. Attended meeting, all day; Mr. Hilliard preached in his ordinary stile in the morning, but after dinner he gave us, a sermon against swearing; the best I ever heard him deliver.
32620th. (Adams Papers)
The weather continued just the Same, all day. It sets every one yawning, and keeps all within doors. But it is very advantageous for the husbandry, and has already given a great start to the grass.
327[June 1788] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Allen preached for us this day; and I attended to hear him. His Sermons are judicious and sensible; but his manner of delivering them is very disagreeable. In the evening I took a long walk with Doctor Kilham; and pass’d the remainder of it at home. Pickman returned this day from Salem, where he has been for ten days past. I began to read Wood’s Institutes; a book written upon a similar...
3283d. (Adams Papers)
Was all the morning writing for the Packet. Dined with the Delegates from Virginia. Coll. Monroe, was a little indisposed: he and Mr. Hardy, intend in a short time to take a tour to Boston. In the afternoon I carried my Letters to Mr. Church, who sails in the packet tomorrow morning. I then went and visited Mr. Gerry and Mr. King. There, was a number of persons at Mrs. Mercer’s. Two Miss...
32910th. (Adams Papers)
We finished the Andria of Terence this morning. The Class began it last Feby. I went through it at Haverhill in 3 Evenings, however it must be said, here they Study it only 1 week in 4, and that week, only 4 mornings, but even in that way, it has taken 12 lessons to go through this one play. At 11. we had a Lecture from Mr. Williams, upon hydrostatics. He keeps exceeding close to Gravesande’s....
33028th. (Adams Papers)
We had a meeting of the ΦBK, in the morning at Little’s Chamber. Chandler read a Dissertation, Harris and Cushman a Forensic. Bridge and Cranch were the extempore disputants. Went with Freeman to Boston: paid a number of Visits; we dined at Mr. Sullivan’s, in Company with Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Johonnot, and George Warren. Took a long walk with Johonnot in the afternoon. Return’d to Cambridge with...
331[October 1788] (Adams Papers)
“Oh gentle sleep Nature’s soft Nurse, how have I frighted thee That thou no more wilt weigh mine eye lids down And steep my senses in forgetfulness.” In the present situation of my health I cannot possibly attend at all to study, and this circumstance with some others has determined me to spend some weeks, perhaps some months at Braintree. I spoke for a place in the stage which goes to Boston...
33218th. (Adams Papers)
Loitered away, a great part of my Time, as I most commonly do in vacation Time. I intend however to read considerable, before I return to College. Mr. Shaw and his Lady, this morning, left us to return homeward. Was down in my father’s library part of the afternoon. The weather begins to be quite cold, and the leaves are all falling from the trees.
33329th. (Adams Papers)
It snow’d part of the forenoon; then turn’d to rain, and after making the streets very disagreeable, cleared up in the afternoon. I dined with my brothers at Mr. Bradbury’s; we had some conversation upon the subject of Ben Hooper’s funeral. I could not agree in sentiment with Mr. Bradbury. I told him that although I abhorr’d the action itself, as much as any one, yet after a man was dead to...
33422d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Tread well, preach’d in the forenoon from Matthew XI. 15 “he that hath ears to hear, let him hear;” and in the afternoon from Psalm IV. 4. commune with your own heart. Mr. T. appears to be a sensible man; but by no means a good speaker. In common conversation his voice, and manner of speaking is agreeable; but if he begins to pray or to preach, he immediately assumes a most disgusting...
33516th. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 7 ½ o’clock the weather, which had been all night very cloudy, began to clear up and a sailor came from the top of the mast and told us he had made land in the N. N. W. As we had yesterday a false alarm, we did not at first believe it: some of our officers, went to the mast head, and ascertained the reality of the fact. The land which extended a considerable way, was the coast...
33619th. (Adams Papers)
Called upon Putnam after leaving the office, and passed the evening at his lodgings: I have a greater regard for this young fellow than I had when at College. He is friendly and good-natured, and pursues his studies with diligence and attention. Perhaps indeed that now the warmth of emulation has subsided, and we can in no instance be rivals neither he nor I view each other in the same light,...
33716. (Adams Papers)
Dr. Tufts &c. Mr. Shaw went to Hghm.
33820th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Mölich went away at about 6 o’clock. In the forenoon, I delivered the remaining Letters, I had still on my hands. Saw Mr. Searle, with whom I was formerly acquainted in Holland. Dined with Mr. Leroy. Mr. Chabanel his Cousin, is to sail for Europe, in the course of three weeks. Drank tea at Mr. Ramsay’s and found a considerable company there. Mr. van Berkel, Mr. Gardoqui, and Mr. Randon,...
3399th. (Adams Papers)
Parson Carey got out to meeting this forenoon; but he was still so weak, that the effort was too great: he was scarcely able to get through the morning exercises: and in the afternoon the church was again destitute. I went to hear Parson Spring rattle away upon disinterested benevolence, and pass’d the evening at home.
3406. (Adams Papers)
Evening at Mrs. Quincy’s. Parson Wiberd. The entry concludes with shorthand for “no feeling.”
34123d. (Adams Papers)
When I went to the office this morning I found young Pickman of Salem there. I was acquainted with him somewhat in Europe, and I believe he is mentioned in the first volume of this repository. (repository!) He has been studying more than two years in Mr. Pynchon’s office; and proposes now to pass five or six months in Mr. Parsons’s. And I shall be very happy in this additional companion, as...
34220. (Adams Papers)
Cranch went to Boston. Rain.
34313th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson, Pickman and Little, pass’d the eve at my lodgings: Townsend, was so unwell, that he could not come, and Putnam, went home some days since, and has not yet return’d. The office, for a week past, has been tolerably clear; and I have made considerable progress in Blackstone.
34410. (Adams Papers)
Madam preparing for New York. AA was planning to visit AA2 ( AA2, Jour. and Corr. Journal and Correspondence of Miss Adams, Daughter of John Adams,... edited by Her Daughter [Caroline Amelia (Smith) de Windt], New York and London, 1841-[1849]; 3 vols. , 2:105).
3453d. (Adams Papers)
Thompson went yesterday morning to Ipswich and returned last evening. I dined with him to day. Frank Bradbury and Putnam were likewise there. Amory and Townsend were sworn into Court yesterday in the afternoon, and immediately went on to Salem. Amory, whom I promised to mention this day is about twenty three. At a very early period of life he was engaged in scenes of intemperance and...
3469th. (Adams Papers)
Snow’d part of the day. Reading Watson’s chemical essays. They are written in a very plain intelligible manner, and are quite entertaining. The subject I have never before paid any great attention to. We pass’d the evening at the professor’s. Small conversation, with women, can be interesting, only at the time it is going forward. Richard Watson, Chemical Essays , 3d edn., 3 vols., London,...
347John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 1 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
What shall I say to my sister? Indeed, I am quite at a loss. I spend much more time in thinking what I shall say to you than I do in writing. I find here continually the sameness which I complained of at Haverhill. To give an account of one day, would give one of a month. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, every minute of our time is taken up. The rest of the week, any person that chooses may...
348Sunday Novr. 16th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Hartley’s.
34925. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Noyes. Afternoon with White.
35013th. (Adams Papers)
The weather very cold all day with a strong wind. We had a Quantity of company, in the forenoon Hill, who graduated last commencement, Learned and Williams; in the afternoon Angier, Cushman and Tufts: Bridge set out after dinner for Lexington, where he intends to pass two or three days. Either Cotton Tufts, Harvard 1789, or Abijah Tufts, Harvard 1790 ( Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates John...