85116th. (Adams Papers)
Tom, came from Boston this forenoon. Fifteen persons were buried there this afternoon, who perished, by different shipwrecks in the late storms. The weather quite moderate; and so calm that we could hear the bells in Boston toll, as plain, as we can that in Town, from the chambers in Hollis.
85217th. (Adams Papers)
Chandler 1st. went off this morning; there are about 20 of the scholars, who have not yet been able to get home. They are however going off, one by one. Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preached in the morning, a sermon, which I have heard him deliver before. Thanksgiving sermon I suppose took up all his Time this week. Mr. Burr preach’d in the afternoon, and saved the Parson, the...
85318th. (Adams Papers)
The young Ladies at Mr. Wigglesworth’s, dined at Judge Danas, I went down there with Bridge; to tea, and pass’d the evening, very sociably. The conversation turn’d upon diverse topics, and among the rest upon love which is almost always the case when there are Ladies present. Peggy came away at about 10, but Miss Jones, concluded to stay there, to-night.
85419th. (Adams Papers)
Foster, and Lovell, and Cranch were here to day; all came for their cloaths &c. Several of the Class still remain, and untill they are gone, it will be impossible for us to study much. As they expect to go every day, they are rather dissipated, and more or less make us so. We got this day a load of wood. It is however still very dear.
85520th. (Adams Papers)
I have been rather more attentive this day, than for this week, past, and have written considerably. This evening a slay came from Petersham for Baron and Whitney. The person, who came with it informs us, that the insurgents have all disbanded, that numbers of them suffered extremely in the late storms, one or two perished, and several still remain, very ill at Worcester. They have had time to...
85621st. (Adams Papers)
Miss Jones returned from Judge Dana’s. I spent the evening with Bridge, and Freeman, at the Professor’s. Miss Bromfield, Miss L. Kneeland, Miss Cutts, and Miss Ellery were there. Of all these ladies, the last are rather unsociable. We had however, upon the whole, a good time. Miss Cutts unluckily got a fall on the ice, as she was going out to the slay. Had her limbs, been rather more pliant,...
85722d. (Adams Papers)
Miss Cutts’s misfortune, last night, has been a subject of much diversion, to the Ladies; to Miss Jones especially, who is inclined to be satirical, and appears to take no pains to restrain that disposition; whence I conclude, she considers it as an accomplishment. This is a very common error, especially among the female sex. Satire they suppose, always includes wit, and many a severe...
85823d. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Harris, Freeman, and Bridge at Mr. Pearson’s. He has been very polite to me, and was quite complaisant, this day. Mrs. Pearson, did not appear; but Miss Bromfield, and Miss Cutts were there. Neither of them were peculiarly sociable, and the latter appears just proper to make a prude, in a few years. The weather has been very moderate, it rain’d all the morning. This afternoon it...
85924th. (Adams Papers)
Snow’d all night, and this forenoon. I attended meeting all day: Mr. Hilliard preached, but not in his best way. The meeting was very thin. It cleared up this afternoon, and the evening is very cold.
86025th. (Adams Papers)
Christmas day; and one of the coldest, we have had this Season. The snow which has fallen, will be very useful in the roads: it fell very even, and has filled up the bare spots; we spent the evening at the professor’s with Mr. Ware, and Mr. Andrews. Had a good deal of chat with Peggy. Mr. Ware sung.
86126th. (Adams Papers)
Bridge went to Boston. Mason finally took his leave, and left us to ourselves; so that we shall henceforth, be able to study, with much less interruption than we have hitherto done.
86227th. (Adams Papers)
Bridge went to Boston again: in the evening we went down, with Mr. Ware, and Freeman, to Judge Dana’s. We convers’d and play’d whist, and sung till 10, o’clock. The ladies seem to have settled that we are to be in love: but ideas of this kind, are very common with the ladies, who think it impossible to live without Love.
86328th. (Adams Papers)
Studying Saunderson; Mayo was here in the afternoon. Mr. Ware likewise paid us a visit and sat about half an hour. The weather has been very good for several days, but the weatherwise foretell a snow storm.
86429th. (Adams Papers)
Continuation of the same course. We got us some wood, this afternoon. Bridge, pass’d the evening with the Ladies, at Mr. Mason’s; but for particular reasons I preferr’d staying at home. Lloyd was here in the forenoon. Bridge, and Freeman return’d late from Mr. Mason’s. Freeman pass’d an hour with us, after he came back. Thaddeus Mason, holder of various provincial offices, including clerk of...
86530th. (Adams Papers)
The week has closed as it began, and I shall be content if for the six remaining weeks of the vacation I can make, an equal progress, in my present course of studies. Williams spent the evening with us. The weather is quite moderate; and has the appearance of rain.
86631st. (Adams Papers)
Sacrament day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d an occasional sermon in the forenoon; and in the afternoon from Acts IV. 28. We pass’d the evening at the professors, in company with Mr. Andrews. This day completes two years, since, I attempted to commit to paper, the transactions, which daily occurr’d, in which I was concerned. It is a question, whether amidst the quantity of trivial events, to which I...
867[January 1787] (Adams Papers)
I received, two letters, and a couple of Packets of newspapers, from Europe, they were the more acceptable, as it is almost three months, since I have had any direct news from thence, before. After playing a few tunes to the young Ladies, In the evening, I went with Bridge, and paid a visit to Mr. Hilliard; a sensible man although his Sermons are rather cold. AA2 to JQA , 1 Sept.–12 Oct. 1786...
868Monday January 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
I received, two letters, and a couple of Packets of newspapers, from Europe, they were the more acceptable, as it is almost three months, since I have had any direct news from thence, before. After playing a few tunes to the young Ladies, In the evening, I went with Bridge, and paid a visit to Mr. Hilliard; a sensible man although his Sermons are rather cold. AA2 to JQA , 1 Sept.–12 Oct. 1786...
8692d. (Adams Papers)
I pass’d the evening with Mr. Andrews, at Professor Pearson’s. He is fond of music, to enthusiasm. We play’d several tunes together, but I was not a proper person to accompany him. He is quite an adept in the art; and like all connoisseurs in music, extravagantly fond of Handel.
8703d. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Hilliard’s, in company with Mr. Stedman, Mr. Ware, Mr. Andrews, Freeman, and Bridge. Stedman is a student in Law; said to be a man of Sense. However that may be, he does not strike me, at first sight as a very exalted genius. We pass’d the evening, at the Professor’s. Miss Jones display’d some of her satirical wit. There was a total eclipse of the moon, between 6, and 9 in the...
8714th. (Adams Papers)
For want of sufficient exercise, I have been unwell, for several days: there is no walking at this Season, and we are consequently obliged, to keep too recluse for health. Mr. Andrews, and Freeman, pass’d the evening with us, at the professor’s. Miss Jones as usual was severe. Her disposition would be much more amiable, if she was not so sensible of her satirical talents, and so fond of them...
8725th. (Adams Papers)
We passed the evening at Freeman’s chamber. He proposes setting off for Newbury, to morrow morning. The weather for several days, has been uncommonly moderate, but this afternoon it grew somewhat cold, and began to snow.
8736th. (Adams Papers)
Very cold this morning, Freeman went for Ipswich. Mr. Andrews called upon us in the afternoon. I got through Montesquieu’s spirit Laws; and I much admire the author’s penetration, in discovering the origin, and causes of diverse Laws in diverse Countries, and in the same Country, at different periods. His ideas of the principles, upon which the different forms of government are founded, appear...
8747th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard preach’d all day; pretty much in the common stile. Dined at Judge Dana’s; and conversed with Miss Ellery upon the subject, of two young Ladies. I find, that her opinion, as well as that of Mr. and Mrs. Dana, coincides with mine in that respect. Benevolence, candor, and innocence, are more amiable, and more estimable ingredients for a character, than wit without judgment. Weather...
8758th. (Adams Papers)
We went down this evening with the young ladies, to Mr. Dana’s. I passed several hours agreeably. I had an essay upon philosophic Love given me to read; a little allegorical tale, in the composition of which, fancy, rather than reason predominated. For, as Terence says ____ incerta haec si tu postules Ratione certa facere, nihilo plus agas, Quam si des operam, ut cum ratione insanias. For...
8769th. (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,...
87710th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Paine was ordained, minister of Charlestown, but as it snow’d all the fore part of the day, I did not attend. Cabot, the junior was here: I am still pursuing the study of algebra; which is as entertaining as it is useful. I could wish I had time for pro ceeding in all the mathematical branches of Science: but the time will soon come, when I shall be called to studies of a very different...
87811th. (Adams Papers)
The weather is yet unsettled, but it has not storm’d this day. Saunders, and Barron of the junior Class were here. Our time flies away extremely fast; one half of the vacation has already eloped, and I shall soon, with a mixture of pleasure and pain, see my fellow students again assembled, and be called again to attend to the public exercises. They will it is true diminish; as our Class are...
87912th. (Adams Papers)
The weather cleared up in the morning, and the cold since noon has increased very fast. We pass’d an hour in the evening at Mr. Gannett’s; he was not at home: Mrs. G. is quite historical; that is she gives a very minute history of whatever occurs to herself or her family. Up late reading parliamentary debates. Packard came to see us, this afternoon. JQA may have been preparing for his...
88013th. (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...
88114th. (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...
88215th. (Adams Papers)
The weather very moderate. The snow went off quite fast. Drank tea at Mr. Hilliard’s. His daughter look’d prettier, than she ever did before. Mr. Paine was there, and appeared quite happy, in his new situation. The People of Charlestown, who never could be united in their opinions, for a minister, are universally very much attached to him, and his talents and virtues are such as will probably...
88316th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Dana’s, and pass’d part of the evening with the Judge and his Lady at Mr. Gerry’s. Miss Thompson, is very handsome; but whether she possesses all the other qualities which are requisite to render a Lady amiable, I shall not take upon me to decide. Bridge returned this evening from Lexington.
88417th. (Adams Papers)
My Chum went to Boston, but return’d early in the afternoon. After tea we went down to Mr. Dana’s. Miss Ellery was there, and Miss Jones with her; Bridge accompanied this Lady home, and after they were gone, I had a deal of chat, with Miss Ellery, who has a larger share of Sense, than commonly falls to an individual of her sex. We conversed upon diverse subjects, but I can never give any thing...
88518th. (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...
88619th. (Adams Papers)
The troops from this Town, went this afternoon to Waltham, from whence, they are to proceed to-morrow towards Worcester. After tea, I went with Bridge, Williams and Learned to Mystic, and had a very good dance. There were several very fine girls; but being entirely unacquainted with them all, I could not be very sociable with them. A Miss Dixey struck me, as being uncommonly beautiful; but...
88720th. (Adams Papers)
Snow’d all day. We were rather tired after our expedition. I have been idle; and do not by any means feel disposed to write at present.
88821st. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard again entertained us all day, with his own composition. Bridge, and I dined at Mr. Dana’s. Miss Almy informed us of all the circumstances which attended our party the other day; and among many other anecdotes, told us that Bridge was deeply smitten with a Miss Hall, who had I thought much of a sleepy appearance and I forsooth, am the humble admirer of Miss Dixey. If personal...
88922d. (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...
89023d. (Adams Papers)
Miss Ellery pass’d the day at the professor’s, and was very agreeable; I am more and more pleased with this Lady, every time, I am in company with her. Miss Jones who is treated both by Bridge and myself with a distant reserve, appeared this day for the first Time to be mortified by it: she could not help forming a contrast between our behaviour to her, and to the two other Ladies, and her...
89124th. (Adams Papers)
Miss Ellery, went home this morning, after breakfast. Miss Jones, rather unsociable; her spirits low. Charles and Tom, arrived here, this afternoon from Haverhill: left all our friends well. I went down to Mr. Dana’s with Charles, had a long conversation with Miss Almy, upon a subject, interesting at the present moment. Williams came home with Mrs. Dana, and we return’d together, at about 10....
89225th. (Adams Papers)
The weather has been all along quite unsettled. Yesterday was very cold, but to day, it thaws fast again. Mr. Andrews past the evening with us at the professor’s. Miss Jones, rather more agreeable, than I have sometimes seen her, but not perfectly sociable. Mr. Andrews and she appear to go on as easily, and with as little rubbing as any person: less indeed than I should expect from the...
89326th. (Adams Papers)
General Lincoln, it seems, finds more difficulties in the affair he has undertaken, than were expected. He has sent for a reinforcement of troops: there are about 2000 men assembled to oppose him. They have the start of him, and it is supposed they intend first to attack, Genl. Shepard, who is at Springfield, with about 1200 men. Part of the militia are going from this town. I pass’d the...
89427th. (Adams Papers)
Fay was here this morning, and Freeman return’d this day from his Tour to visit his friends. Part of the company of militia in this town, march’d this morning towards Worcester. Dispatches were expected this evening from Genl. Lincoln, but none appeared.
89528th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Fiske supplied Mr. Hilliard this day: and gave satisfaction in general. His sentiments are very liberal, more than those of any preacher I have heard of late. It is perhaps to be feared lest some of our future divines may go too far in that respect, and assert that Christianity consists in morality alone. If this were the case, in what point would its excellence be shown, above the Systems...
89629th. (Adams Papers)
Bridge went to Salem, upon some business this day, and returned. Miss Ellery and Miss Williams, her brother, Mr. Andrews and Freeman, drank tea at the professor’s; I was sociable with Miss Jane, for the first Time. She is not destitute of personal charms, and has I believe a very good disposition. Mr. Andrews was quite elated with the news from Springfield, which arrived this evening. A party...
89730th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Cranch, Miss Betsey, and her brother, came from Braintree this morning, dined at Mr. Gannett’s and returned after dinner. Bridge, and I were quite alone at tea this evening: the Ladies were at Mrs. Forbes’s, and the professor was gone to Judge Dana’s. The Ladies returned however immediately after tea, and Miss Ellery came, and pass’d the evening there: These verses were later included in...
89831st. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Harris arrived this afternoon from Springfield, but did not bring any further accounts of consequence from that quarter. He saw on the road several of the insurgents who had returned home, sick of their expedition. Bridge and I drank tea at Mrs. Forbes’s, and spent the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard, Mrs. Willard, and Mrs. Miller were there. After tea, Cards being proposed Mr. Hilliard...
899[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...
900Thursday February 1st. 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...