25012d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A and myself went and dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, Comte and Chevalier de la Luzerne, Comte de la Touche, General du Portail: A Letter was brought after dinner to my father from Dr. Franklin, informing him that Mr. Randall arrived from New York in the last Packet, and that he has Letters from Mr. Jay for my father. We went immediately to the Hôtel d’Orléans Rue St. Anne, and found...
2502John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am so pleased with your Letters, in general, that you may well believe that of the 6. has contributed very much to my Happiness. As you have found the Way into the Gallery, I hope you will not neglect it, but attend every Day. It is a great and illustrious School. I return you inclosed, the Letter from Mr. Dexter to Mr. Temple, to whom present my Compliments. In a Letter I wrote a Year ago...
2503[December 1783] (Adams Papers)
This evening I went with Mr. West to the Academy of Painting &c. and had the same entertainment as that of which I spoke last Monday. This day my father dined out; in the evening I went to the Drury Lane Theatre, had the Beaux Stratagem with the Ladies Frolick. George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Strategem , London, 1707; The Ladies’ Frolick , London, 1770, by James Love, pseudonym for James Dance (...
25043d. (Adams Papers)
Pass’d the evening at Little’s in Newbury. A Mr. Coffin, who graduated two years ago, at Harvard, was there. We spent our time in sociable chat, and in singing; not such unmeaning, insignificant songs, as those with which we killed our time last evening; but good, jovial, expressive songs such as we sung at College, “when mirth and jollity prevail’d.” One evening of this kind gives me more...
250525th. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Shaw came in from Haverhill; they found us still in great disorder: we began this day to unpack the books; though we have at present no room to stow them in, properly. They were moist and some what mouldy, but not injured at all.
25069. (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 ,...
250715th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. West went away this morning; My Father and my brother Charles, went to Boston; whence they will proceed tomorrow to Cambridge. Beale came here this forenoon, and took a dinner with us. He is studying law, with Mr. Barnes at Taunton, but spends much of his time at home. Mr. Wibird pass’d the afternoon and evening here. Dr. Tufts called here on his way to Boston, and my brother Tom went to...
250818th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I attended at Mr. Smith’s meeting: he preaches without notes, and like all the preachers, who make a practice of this, that I ever heard, often repeats the same sentiments. In the afternoon I went to hear Mr. Shaw. After meeting I went up there and pass’d part of the evening. Mr. Redington and Captain Marsh and Deacon Eames were there.
25095th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon A Doctor Young came to our office, for a writ against a number of insurgents. It seems he was a volunteer in the service of government, the winter before last; and being upon a party against several of them received a ball in his knee, which has made him a cripple for Life. He brought an action against them some time since at Worcester, but his jury were one half of them...
25108th. (Adams Papers)
Amory went to Ipswich this afternoon. He cannot yet get entirely over his old habits. He intends however to come back this evening. I went with Townsend to see Mr. Atkins, but did not find him at home. His Mother and Sister have both been ill of the putrid throat distemper, and are not yet wholly recovered. Townsend came home, and sat an hour with me. We conversed upon several topics, but...
251125th. (Adams Papers)
The other young gentlemen, went off at about 8 o’clock: I waited about an hour longer, in order to accompany Mrs. Williams. Stopp’d about a quarter of an hour at Genl. Warren’s, and arrived at College before 12: found very few of the students arrived; pass’d the evening at Mr. Dana’s: he is still upon the recovery, but not very fast. Walter Hunnewell , will be 18 the 10th. of next August. His...
251222d. (Adams Papers)
Weather remarkably mild for the Season: I have been rather unwell for a week or 10 days back, which prevents me from applying myself with so much assiduity as I should wish to. I passed this evening with Thompson and Putnam at Little’s. We were very sociable, and cheerful. At 9 we return’d to our respective homes. The weather before this, had cleared up, though in the afternoon it had...
251315th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams gave us a lecture upon pneumatics: The parts for Commencement were not given out this morning as was expected: but the Class met by adjournment and tore up the agreement, as they found there was not sufficient unanimity, to carry the measure into execution. William Mason , of Salem, Essex C. will be 19 the 12th. of next September. His natural abilities are very good, and he has a...
251412th. (Adams Papers)
This day I finished reading the fourth and last volume of Blackstone’s Commentaries. This is one of the most important books in the profession, and I have comparatively speaking taken more time in reading it, than I probably shall, for any other book: yet I am very far, from being master of it. And I intend before the end of my three years, if I should live and have my health, to go through...
251518th. (Adams Papers)
Unwell, so that I could not do much all day. Finished my elements for an eclipse, and finally found it would be here before Sunrise, and consequently not visible.
25165th. (Adams Papers)
This morning after Commons we had a meeting of the ΦBK, at Cranch’s chamber: We began by admitting the junior’s Grosvenor, Gardner and Barron, after which the performances for the day came on; I read the following Essay. This proposition, though it be strictly true, will not obtain the assent of mankind in general. Very few persons, can so far overcome the prejudices of Education, as to think...
25178th. (Adams Papers)
It Snow’d in the morning till 10 o’clock, and it was feared the exhibition, must be again postponed. But it cleared before noon, and at about 3 o’clock, the president made his appearance in the chapel. Lloyd delivered an Oration, upon Commerce in Latin. He spoke so low that I could not hear him. Abbot 2d. and Chandler , then read a forensic, on the question, whether the natural reason of man...
251825th. (Adams Papers)
Weather still the same. Mr. Wibird spent the afternoon at Mr. Cranch’s. I went with my brother down, and drank tea at my Uncle Adams’s. Had some difficulty to get horses to go to Cambridge with to-morrow. Mr. H. Hayden, died last night of a wound he received by a gun going off, while he was fowling, about 3 weeks agone.
251922d. (Adams Papers)
We had a lecture in the forenoon from Mr. Wigglesworth. Wrote off something upon conic Sections; for Mr. Williams’s next Lecture. For the future it is left at the option of every individual in the class to attend him or not. The sodality met this evening, but I could not attend. Williams was part of the evening at my chamber.
25208th. (Adams Papers)
I went out with Mr. Harrison, Mrs. Swift, and Miss Riché, to Content to see Lady Wheate, who is one of the most reputed beauties in the Town. I own I do not admire her so much as I expected to, before I saw her. She is like too many, of the handsome Ladies here, very affected. The most pleasing Characters here, are of those who are pretty without enjoying any share of beauty. When shall I see...
252115th. (Adams Papers)
We recite this week to Mr. Hale, in Locke. This is upon the whole, the most unpopular Tutor in College. He is hated even by his own Class. He is reputed to be, very ill natured, and severe in his Punishments. He proposes leaving College, at Commencement, and I believe, there is not an individual among the Students, who is not very well pleased with it. One of my Class Mates, said the other...
252212th. (Adams Papers)
The government, this morning, determined that if more than half the students should be destitute of wood, the college should be dismiss’d. The president went to Boston, to consult the corporation, upon the subject, and he informed Little, who went this evening to request leave to go home, that the students would be permitted to disperse, to-morrow morning. Club danced at Little’s chamber this...
252312th. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Chaumont came, and proposed to me, to buy an horse, so that we might go to Boston together. I have a great inclination, and have been advised by many friends to go from hence by land to Boston, in order to form some opinion of the Country, and make some acquaintances which may be of use to me hereafter. If I go by the stage, I shall see very little of the Country, as they go...
25245th. (Adams Papers)
We had a Lecture from Mr. Williams, concerning heat, proper Lecture for the weather. Je fus le soir à l’assemblée de nôtre petite Societé, ou nous eûmes, Burge, Chandler, Harris, et moi une petite dispute impromptue, sur la Question, si l’Europe est plus favorable au genie que l’amerique. Moi, je soutins, le contraire, et je le soutiendrai toujours. Après avoir fait quelques autres petites...
252510th. (Adams Papers)
Varietés. Le faux talisman, La théatromanie; Oui ou non . Poor Stuff. A good deal of genteel Company. Le faux talisman, ou, rira bien qui rira le dernier . Paris, 1782, by Charles Jacob Guillemain; La théâtromanie . Paris, 1783, by Pierre (Baron) de La Montagne; Oui ou non , Paris, 1780, by Louis Archambault Dorvigny ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical...
25262d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Chaumont intended to set out early in the morning for Philadelphia (or rather Albany,) but it rain’d so hard that he was obliged to postpone it till the afternoon. I went to his lodgings at about 9 o’clock, and stay’d till about noon. We then went to a billiard table, and play’d a game. I dined at Mr. Smith’s. After dinner I return’d to Mr. de Chaumont’s lodgings, and found him, making...
252727th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Read came here in the afternoon, to spend a day. Though he cannot entirely lay aside the Tutor, but retains a little of the collegiate stiffness, yet he endeavours to be affable, and is very sociable. These people when distant from their seat of Empire, and divested of that Power, which gives them such an advantageous idea, of their own superiority, are much more agreeable, than, they are,...
252831st. (Adams Papers)
Miss B. Palmer, came from Germantown, this afternoon, to spend the night here. We prepared to return to Cambridge as our vacation closes this day.
252925th. (Adams Papers)
Waited upon Major L’Enfant in the morning; gave him a Letter for le Chevalier d’Antroches. The President dined at the french Consul’s on Long Island. I went in the afternoon to see Mr. Salvius, and found the officers of the packet with him. Called upon Mr. Jay who was not at home.
2530[12th.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday, from Amiens to Chantilly.
253128th. (Adams Papers)
The severity of the weather has been increasing, and is this night but little inferior to the greatest extremities of the winter. Our social club, met this evening at Little’s. The walk was rather long, and bleak; but our enjoyment was sufficient to compensate for that. Notwithstanding Mrs. Jones’s opinion, I confess I do not dislike clubs. I think they may be sociable and friendly without...
253225. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Shaw.
253329th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with the president and Mr. Harrison, Mr. Osgood was so kind as to give me a Letter for Mr. Clarke at Providence, to whom I can send my trunk. Drank tea at Mrs. Sears’s. Harrison appears to be much attached to Miss Becca. Went on board the Packet in the evening, and spent a couple of hours there. She is to sail the 15th. instant the british Packet will sail the 4th.
253418th. (Adams Papers)
I am sinking again into the same insipidity which I have so often lamented. The circumstances which daily occur, are now more than ever alike, for I not only spend the whole day in the same occupation at the office; but as Townsend is unwell, and confined to his lodgings I pass almost all my evenings with him: We have no news stirring of any kind, and as Dr. Kilham said to me, a short time...
253515. (Adams Papers)
Cold Weather. Dr. Tufts this evening.
25368th. (Adams Papers)
Pickman returned last evening from Salem. The votes in that Town, and in several others from which accounts have been received, are equally favorable or more so, than they were in this Town, to Mr. Hancock, and General Lincoln. I called and passed an hour or two at Mrs. Hooper’s in the evening: Miss Cazneau was there. Came home early in the evening.
25375. (Adams Papers)
Wm Cranch came from Boston. Heard from N. York. Presumably the letter written by AA to JA between 16 Nov. and 3 Dec., not found ( JA to AA , (2 Dec, AA to JA , 3 Dec., Adams Papers ).
253822d. (Adams Papers)
Amory and Stacey, return’d from their expedition: They got to Cape-Ann at about twelve on Wednesday night, and were about two hours at the ball. On Thursday they proceeded to Marblehead, and attended at the assembly which was held there: Last Night they patrol’d the streets of Salem, serenading the houses, and came home this afternoon compleately fatigued. Mr. Parsons arrived in town too this...
253912th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I went down, and spent a couple of hours with Mr. Thaxter: the rest of the day I employ’d in reading, upon several subjects. I took up Hudibras in the afternoon, and diverted myself with it for an hour or two. JQA adds, in his line-a-day entry, “Mr. Shaw’s. All day” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
254018th. (Adams Papers)
Fine weather, till the evening, which was very blustry. The men have been selected who are to go from this Town, against the insurgents. They have taken almost all the servants in Town; the troops are to march to-morrow, for Worcester, under the command of General Lincoln. We passed the evening at Professor Williams’s. Jenny look’d handsomer, than she has for several months past; and was very...
25412d. (Adams Papers)
After passing the day at the Office, I stroll’d with Pickman, as far as Sawyer’s tavern, where we stopp’d and took a dish of tea. When we set out to return there was a little sprinkling of rain, which we thought was not sufficient to stay our progress: but it kept continually increasing till it became quite a smart rain, and by that time we were so much soak’d that we concluded the sooner we...
2542Saturday Novr. 29th. (Adams Papers)
In the morning at about 9 o’clock, set out for Richmond which is 10. miles from London, and said to be the most Beautiful Spot in England, and perhaps in Europe. It is upon a hill, which Commands a vast plain in which Plain the River Thames runs winding about for a great ways in the midst of the Meadows, which even at this Time are covered with verdure. Returned to Town to Dine. The purpose of...
25438th. (Adams Papers)
White lent me his horse this morning, to go to Boston. Dr. Tufts, had sent by my brothers, desiring me to see him; I had not been in Boston before, these three months. Called at my uncle Smith’s, at Dr. Welch’s, and at Mr. Storer’s. I likewise went to see Miss Jones, who appeared rather surprized to see me. Dined at Mr. Foster’s, with Mr. Cranch and Dr. Tufts: they are now attending the...
25445th. (Adams Papers)
After writing a few lines in my common place book, I took the second volume, of Blackstone, which treats of the rights of things. I did not read much, and with the extracts which I make, I shall not be able to proceed with very rapid progress. Thomson notwithstanding he keeps schools holds an equal pace with me. However he reads in the evening, while I am employ’d in copying off the forms....
254522d. (Adams Papers)
Employ’d all day, in translating some german observations for Mr. Dana: finished them: and in the evening I went down there to carry them. Miss Ellery and Miss Jones, keep up a correspondence in writing. Almy has a larger share of Sense, than commonly falls to the lot of her sex, and, that sense is cultivated and improved, a circumstance, still more uncommon. In spite of JQA ’s favorable...
25468th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams, the Minister of another Parish, belonging to this Town changed with Mr. Shaw, and preached here in the forenoon, from Matthew XI. 21, 22. Wo unto thee Chorazin! wo unto thee Bethsaïda! for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and...
254712th. (Adams Papers)
We recite this week to Mr. Burr, but this disagreeable exercice returns at present only once a day, and that only for this quarter. Mr. Pearson gave us a lecture this afternoon, upon the division, of languages into the different parts of speech. Bridge and I pass’d part of the evening at Mr. Wigglesworth’s.
254812th. (Adams Papers)
Began in the forenoon upon the third book of the Cyropaedia; Eliza Duncan, Miss Stevenson and Mr. Bil. Osgood spent the Evening here. Nancy has been very much in the dumps, these two or three days. I hope she is not offended with herself; for though she has many very great foibles (the lot of humanity) yet, upon the whole she is really a good girl.
25492d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews was at my chamber in the forenoon. I went with him, and Cranch and my class mate Harris, to take tea, at Mr. Pearson’s. Miss Ellery, Miss Hastings, two Miss Mason’s and Miss Foster were there. I got seated between Miss Ellery and Miss Hastings, but could not perfectly enjoy the pleasures of conversation, because, the music, was introduced. Music is a great enemy to sociability, and...
25502d. (Adams Papers)
Lecture day. Mr. Adams, Mr. Allen, and Master Parker, dined here. I did not go. In the afternoon Eliza, finally came, and intends to stay here, as long as she remains in Haverhill; I imagine we shall both leave town about the same time. Mr. Thaxter came and spent an hour here in the Evening, which he seldom does, as he is a little too closely engaged in other business. He often reminds me of...