105128th. (Adams Papers)
Took a long walk in the morning with my Cousin and the Ladies. When we return’d we found, my brother Charles, with Mrs. Hillard and her daughter; who dined here, and return’d to Cambridge in the afternoon. We all drank tea, at Mr. Apthorp’s, and pass’d the evening there: this man is certainly a little crack-brain’d; his conversation, is ingenious, but he flies from one topic to another, with...
105229th. (Adams Papers)
I intended to have gone to Cambridge this afternoon, but could not get an horse. My Cousin went and will return to-morrow night. Wrote a letter to my father. I do not relish this life of idleness and expectation. I am very desirous that Commencement should be over, and shall certainly, not feel easy, till then. And indeed after that, till I get settled at some business, I shall not be...
105330th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch and his son, return’d from Boston, this afternoon. Dr. Tufts stopp’d here on his way home. Mrs. Quincy drank tea here, and soon after went away with Nancy, who has pass’d the week here. Her mamma, has been so extremely careful to prevent her being a coquet, that she has in fact made a prude of her. If she should live to be an old maid, she will be terrible to all young ones. It is a...
1054[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...
1055Sunday July 1st. 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.
10562d. (Adams Papers)
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 unmolested over the alternate hillock, and reading or endeavouring to read the inscriptions, which love and friendship have written on the simple monuments, which the indefatigable hand of Time, had...
10573d. (Adams Papers)
At about 8 this morning I went set off with my Cousin, for Cambridge, where we arrived, just after 10. At 11 the exhibition began, with the Latin Oration by Prescott. It was upon the military art, and the composition appeared to be very good, but it was not very well deliver’d: this person indeed was never form’d for an Orator. This part was followed by a forensic disputation, upon the...
10584th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted with Forbes, and at ten o’clock set off for Boston in company with Clark: as soon as I got into town I went to the chapel, where Mr. Dawes was delivering the anniversary Oration; but he had almost finished, when I got there. He closed very prettily: after which his ode to independence, set to music by Mr. Selby was perform’d: from thence I went immediately to the old brick meeting...
10595th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch and Miss Betsey, went to Boston this morning, and propose not to return till Saturday. I read partly through, Wraxall’s tour into the northern parts of Europe which is much inferior to Moore and Brydone. These letters are full of incidents which however interesting they may have been to the author, are not so in the least, to the public. His observations appear very superficial,...
10606th. (Adams Papers)
Finished Wraxall’s tour, and am confirm’d in the opinion I had formed of it: the poor young man, is really to be pitied, when the tenderness of his heart, is always ready to overflow at the sight of a female. His great ardor in the pursuit of knowledge is very laudable, and would be equally meritorious if he had not said so much of it. The weather was extremely warm. Miss Charlotte Apthorp...
10617th. (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...
10628th. (Adams Papers)
I did not attend meeting this day. We had a thunder shower in the afternoon. Tired to death of living thus doing nothing. On many accounts I wish Commencement was over.
10639th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Cranch went to Boston this morning, and return’d in the evening. Arose at 8 o’clock, breakfasted at 9; after which I loiter’d and rambled about till 1. Dined; after dinner, smoked a pipe; slept till 6. Drank tea: play’d upon the flute, and sung all the evening. Supped at 10. Went to bed. This is my history at present: is it not an edifying manner of passing one’s time.
106410th. (Adams Papers)
All the forenoon out, shooting birds. Much fatigued. At about three this afternoon, we had the smartest thundershower, that I have seen within these two years. Clear’d up again in the evening.
106511th. (Adams Papers)
This day completes my twentieth year: and yet I am good for nothing, and cannot even carry myself forward in the world: three long years I have yet to study in order to qualify myself for business: and then—oh! and then; how many more years, to plod along, mechanically, if I should live; before I shall really get into the world? Grant me patience ye powers! for I sicken, at the very idea: thus...
106612th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch and his Son went to Boston this morning: my Cousin proposes to go this night to Cambridge, and return home to-morrow. For my own part I have spent my time this day as usual. I have even discarded thought, and live more like any of the domestic animals, than like a man.
106713th. (Adams Papers)
I found something to do, this forenoon, and have pass’d it with less tediousness, than any for several weeks. Went over to Weymouth and dined with Doctor Tufts. Conversed with him upon a variety of subjects. Came away just after Sunset: I found the two Miss Apthorp’s at my uncle’s and my Cousin return’d, when I got home. There was a bright northern light this evening.
106814th. (Adams Papers)
Went with my cousin in the forenoon to the meeting house, in order to exercice ourselves in speaking our pieces. This evening, our classmate Willard came here from Cambridge, and proposes passing Sunday with us.
106915th. (Adams Papers)
I attended meeting the whole day, and heard Mr. Everett of Dorchester. He prays well and preaches good sermons, but is destitute of the smallest spark of animation. Willard after meeting went this evening to the upper parish, whence, he intends to return to Cambridge to-morrow morning.
107016th. (Adams Papers)
This morning at about 10 o’clock, in the midst of the rain, I mounted on horse-back and went to Cambridge: here I arrived at about half after twelve. Found several of my Class-mates already arrived: dined at Braddish’s: after dinner I went to Freeman’s chamber and found him and Little, both there. We went down to get the key of the meeting house; in order to speak our parts: we could not find...
107117th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted and dined with Mr. Andrews, in company with Mr. Thomson, who is studying law, with Mr. Parsons. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were at our chamber this afternoon, and lodge in town to-night. Very busy all the afternoon and evening, till Mid-night, in preparing for Commencement. At about 7 o’clock Blake arrived here with Burge, after riding 90 miles in 22 hours: this success affords me...
1072Wednesday July 18th. Commencement Day. (Adams Papers)
At about 11 o’clock the procession began from the door of Harvard. The succeeding Classes went before us; and we preceded the President and fellows of the University, who, were follow’d by the governor and council of the Commonwealth: the company of light horse, headed by Coll. Swan, were drawn up before the meeting house. As soon as we all got placed, the president opened the Ceremony by...
107319th. (Adams Papers)
Rose early this morning. The booths and tents before the colleges continue standing as yet, but the chief of the genteel company is gone. From the contrast between the appearance of objects yesterday and this day, every thing looks at present dull: and the idea of bidding a long and last adieu to all my classmates and fellow students, and of quitting these scenes so pleasing to the heart;...
107420th. (Adams Papers)
Very few of the Class remain yet in town. At about 11 I went with Willard, and took a cold breakfast with Forbes: between 12 and 1.1 set out for Boston. Mr. Pickman was at my chamber for about an hour before I came away; he has a brother who passes examination this day for admission. Dined at Mr. Foster’s in Boston; and after paying several visits, set off for Braintree, at about 5 o’clock,...
107521st. (Adams Papers)
Pretty much fatigued, after all the business of the week. Charles and Tom came from Cambridge this afternoon: my Cousin, went to Boston in the morning, and return’d with his father at night.
107622d. (Adams Papers)
Staid at home from meeting the whole day, and was busily employ’d in writing; and yet have not been able to get letters ready to sail by Captain Folgier, who proposes sailing very soon for London.
107723d. (Adams Papers)
Beale paid us a visit this forenoon, and dined with us all at Mr. Apthorp’s: where we likewise past the afternoon. There is a degree of singularity, running through all this family: I never feel myself under so much restraint any where as in that house: Mr. Apthorp, is disgusting by his eternal admiration of every thing that is english. His lady is agreeable; but perhaps too pointedly civil...
107824th. (Adams Papers)
Went out in the morning with young Quincy, and My brother Tom, on a shooting party: we went down on the marshes and had very good sport. Lost the afternoon in idleness: Charles went over to Weymouth. Probably Josiah Quincy III, a classmate of TBA ’s, later a congressman, mayor of Boston, and president of Harvard (Robert A. McCaughey, Josiah Quincy, 1772–1864: The Last Federalist , Cambridge,...
107925th. (Adams Papers)
Was all the forenoon again on the marshes, with my cousin and my brother Tom: Charles set out this morning for Haverhill. I wrote but little this day, and lost all the afternoon. Rainy and foggy weather.
108026th. (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.