10513d. (Adams Papers)
Wednesday, and Monday, are our two busiest days in the Week. Every minute is employ’d. This morning at 6. We went into Prayers after which we immediately recited. This took us till 7 ¼. At 7 ½ we breakfasted, at 10, we had a Lecture on Divinity from Mr. Wigglesworth. It was upon the Wisdom of all God’s actions, and justifying those parts of Scripture which some, have reproached, as contrary to...
105228th. (Adams Papers)
The sharpest day we have had, this Season. Dined at Mr. Duncan’s, in Company, with Miss P. White, E. Cranch, and Nancy, Mr. Moores, Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Thaxter, Mr. Tyler and his brother. Spent the afternoon and part of the Evening there. I wonder, how it happens, that almost every kind of Conversation, that may be of any use to persons, is excluded from polite Companies every where; is it...
1053[March 1788] (Adams Papers)
The weather is very severe: The month comes in like a Lion, and according to the farmer’s proverb it must go out like a Lamb. I passed my evening in contemplation, and in writing at home; and have very Little to say for this day. We had no meeting at Parson Carey’s. I was employ’d in writing all the forenoon; but after dinner, went to hear Mr. Spring. The speculative sentiments of this...
105425th. (Adams Papers)
Almost all this Day was employ’d in preparing for the exhibition. The musical Parts take up some time. We had in the afternoon a Lecture from Mr. Pearson, upon Philosophical Grammar.
105531st. (Adams Papers)
High Wind, directly contrary. The Vessel roll’d so much that most of the passengers were sick. We saw yesterday a great number of Porpoises, which according to the opinion of Seamen in general, is always a certain sign of much wind. We have made very little progress as yet. Mr. Halley our second Lieutenant is a young man, under 20. He has pass’d a great part of his time at Sea, and is much of...
105615th. (Adams Papers)
Was excused from attending meeting this day: being somewhat unwell. Finished the first volume of Burlamaqui in the forenoon. Bridge was at my chamber after dinner.
10579. (Adams Papers)
Charles and Otis were here. Got up shelves.
105826th. (Adams Papers)
At home as usual all the evening. Read a little in Gibbon; wrote in the same slavish way as I have done now for more than three years. But I feel dull, and low spirited. I have neither, that insatiable ambition, nor that ardor for pursuing the means to gratify it, which not long ago, was an argument which my vanity offered my mind, to prove, that if life should be given me, it would not be, to...
105911th. (Adams Papers)
A fresh breeze, and good wind, at about 11 o’clock, we spy’d a sail, and at ¾ after 12 we spoke to her. Found her to be an English Schooner from New York, bound to Jamaica. She left New York five days ago, and they suppose her at 69d. 40m. Longitude meridian of London which is two degrees, thirty minutes, west from Paris. Our Captain supposes us, at 72d. 55m. from Paris: which makes 45...
106016th. (Adams Papers)
The most violent snow storm, that has appeared in the course of the winter, it began in the night, and continued, all this day. In the evening it cleared up. Townsend was not out. Amory and I dined with Mr. Parsons. Captain Hodge likewise was of the company. I wrote a Letter in the afternoon; or rather part of a Letter to W. Cranch. From the office, we went, and pass’d an hour with Mrs....
106113. (Adams Papers)
Went to Milton. Put up books.
106230th. (Adams Papers)
I went up to the office, in the morning, and sat a couple of hours; but I felt restless and dissipated: I could not study, and therefore walk’d down in town and saunter’d about. Dined with G. Bradbury and Charles at Mr. Hooper’s. He is very sanguine in his hopes for the adoption of the Constitution. Pass’d the evening at Mr. Bradbury’s. Dr. Smith and all his family were there. We had some...
10636th. (Adams Papers)
We met in the evening at Putnam’s chamber. I did not pass my time so agreeably as I usually do these evenings. Townsend and Amory were there, and instead of devoting our hours to free and unrestrained conversation, we lost them in playing on the violin, and flute. Between 9 and 10 we retired.
10643. (Adams Papers)
Cicero de Senectute. Getting well. Cicero’s Cato Major de Senectute , or Essay on Old Age.
106520th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons went yesterday to Boston, to attend the supreme Judicial Court. This evening I past with Thompson, at Mrs. Emery’s. Miss Smith and Miss Putnam were there. We play’d cards about an hour; after which Miss Emery play’d us a number of tunes very agreeably upon the harpsichord. I had another match with Miss Putnam at complimenting, and succeeded tolerably well.
106610th. (Adams Papers)
Pass’d the evening and supped with Thompson at Dr. Sawyer’s. Mr. Russell was there: he came from Portsmouth this morning and returns to Boston with Mrs. Hay, to’morrow. We play’d Quadrill. Mr. Farnham took an hand; and is skilled, in all the trifling conversation of a card-table. Every one, it is said possesses his peculiar excellence. Mr. Farnham’s talent lies in the science of politeness. He...
106727. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons went to Boston. Wrote. Mr. Cabot &c.
1068Sunday [9th.] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Jebbs. John Jebb , doctor of medicine, encyclopedic scholar, and a thoroughgoing supporter of America from the outset of the quarrel between England and her colonies. JA described him as a man “for whom I have the highest Esteem; as one of the best Citizens of the little Commonwealth of the just upon Earth” (Caroline Robbins, The Eighteenth-Century Commonwealthman ..., Cambridge,...
106918. (Adams Papers)
Training. Unwell out of spirits. Foster.
10706th. (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...
107131. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Prince. Mr. Marquand’s. Mr. Jackson’s. Religious tattoo. At the bottom of the page of line-a-day entries for Aug. 1788, but not necessarily referring to the date of 31 Aug., appears the following note: “Memorandum: Stacey borrow’d book, for Ipswich.”
1072Thursday Novr. 13th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. J. Johnson. In the evening we went to see the Transactions of the Royal Society; but unluckily we happened to come on a very barren Night: nothing was read, except a dry, unphilosophical account of the late Earthquake in Calabria: after which we went and supp’d with the Club at the London Coffee House. Joshua Johnson (1742–1802) , Maryland merchant, who undertook various...
107322. (Adams Papers)
H. Lincoln. Dined with Mr. T. Mr. B’s.
1074Tuesday Decr. 2d. (Adams Papers)
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 ( Biographia Dramatica David Erskine Baker and others, eds., Biographia Dramatica; Or, A Companion to the Play House ... , London,...
107510th. (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...
107628th. (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...
1077Wednesday 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...
10787th. (Adams Papers)
My Cousin went to Boston in the morning, and did not return till night. I had an opportunity by the law of retaliation to discover one of his secrets: but as a secret it shall remain. This evening Emerson arrived here with Polly Smith from Lincoln, who is going to pass sometime here, and Betsey, will return in a day or two to her mamma.
107922d. (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.
108028th. (Adams Papers)
I received a letter from Mr. W. Smith, informing me of my aunt Smith’s Death. She was here this Day week. Coll. Thatcher, the representative, for this Town, fell instantaneously dead, yesterday in Boston Streets. I went to Mr. Wigglesworth, to Mr. Sewall, and to Mr. Pierson, in the afternoon. Almost all the Class met at Amory’s chamber this morning. Letter not found; Mrs. Elizabeth Storer...
108111th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon, I took a ride with Mr. Shaw, to see my classmate Welch, who lives about four miles from hence. After I return’d, I called in, at Mr. Bartlett’s, where I found Mr. and Mrs. Dalton, with their two eldest daughters, and Miss Hazen. They all dined at Mr. White’s, and in the afternoon all returned to Mr. Dalton’s seat at Newtown. The eldest daughter is very much as she was two years...
108225th. (Adams Papers)
It continued raining all night, and in the morning so that I could not go out of town. We went to the Chapel, and heard Mr. Freeman preach. This gentleman has adopted the antetrinitarian System, which has of late appear’d in this Country. Such religious freedom, as America, enjoys, must always have a tendency to increase the number of religious sects: but if this be a disadvantage, it is more...
10832d. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d; much in the old way. The meeting house however did not look as it was wont. The same deficiency I found there, that I had perceiv’d, in the colleges, and every where in this Town. All my classmates gone. I dined at Mr. Wigglesworth’s with Packard. Peggy appears as amiable as ever. I pass’d the evening with my brothers, and lodg’d with Tom.
108426th. (Adams Papers)
M: de St: Olympe: Mr. Franklin and Mr. Williams dined with us. The first is a west Indian; who is going in a short time to America: Mr. Franklin has been so long in France, that he is more a Frenchman than an American: I doubt whether he will enjoy himself perfectly if he returns to America.
108516th. (Adams Papers)
We had no minister to day, at our meeting house. Nancy went to the other in the forenoon, and Tommy in the afternoon. I stayd at home all day. Miss Hazen, has been very unwell, for some days past, and had this afternoon, one of her teeth drawn. I wish she could be persuaded to take care of them: The want of proper attention to the teeth, is an universal failing in this Country, and is very...
10868th. (Adams Papers)
At length we have some rain, the fruits of the Earth, have long been drooping for the want of it. There were two or three showers, in the morning after which it cleared up; but at about 5 in the afternoon, there arose some of the blackest Thunder clouds that I ever saw. Mr. Ware, who read a dissertation after prayers could scarcely distinguish, his own writing, it was so dark. There was no...
108712th. (Adams Papers)
Paris afternoon with Mrs. A. upon some business for Mrs. Hay, who is at Beaugency. Mr. Graff au magazin de dentelles Rue des deux portes St. Sauveur. Beaumarchais the author of the too famous Comedy la folle journée ou le mariage de Figaro was taken up the other day, immediately after supper, and carried to St. Lazare where he is imprisoned. I ask’d of somebody what reasons were given for the...
10885th. (Adams Papers)
Eliza Spent the day with us. I accompanied her home, in the Evening, and spent half an hour at Mr. White’s. Miss Betsey Duncan, return’d this Evening from Boston, and brought me a Letter from my Cousin Cranch. He attended Mrs. Tufts’s funeral last Tuesday, and very justly admires the Doctor’s Behav iour upon the occasion: it was that of a Christian, and of a Philosopher. He had always lived...
108912th. (Adams Papers)
The freshmen carry their enmity against the Sophimores, a great deal too far. They injure themselves both in the eyes, of the other Class, and in those of the government. This afternoon while Cabot, was declaiming, they kept up a continual groaning, and shuffling, and hissing as almost prevented him from going through. The freshmen, in the end will suffer for their folly, and before they get...
109017th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Franklin’s with a considerable large Company. Mr. Brillon, an old french gentleman very gay and talkative. Young Mr. Chaumont who goes to America by the April packet from l’Orient. Mr. Boling, a descendent of an Indian Queen, of somewhat a dark complexion, and his manners, are not perfectly pleasing to the Ladies. Mr. Norris, an American Quaker, turned Catholic. His turns of mind...
10912d. (Adams Papers)
We Lodged at Hamstead last night: it storm’d so all this morning, that, we could not think of returning. After dinner it was not quite so bad and we all return’d to Haverhill.
10923d. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. and Miss Adams, went into Paris in the evening: and went with young Mr. Franklin and Mrs. Hewson to the Concert Spiritual. Mary (Polly) Hewson , daughter of Benjamin Franklin’s London landlady, Margaret Stevenson. In 1770 she married Dr. William Hewson, who became a respected London physician and anatomist, but he wounded himself during a dissection in 1774 and subsequently died. Shortly...
109328. (Adams Papers)
Parson Allen preached. Snow storm.
109425th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Webber preach’d here, for Mr. Andrews; and I was much pleased with his discourses. They were quite argumentative; and his manner of reasoning was such as shewed him to be an acute metaphysician. He has always had a peculiar attachment to mathematical studies; and has acquired great knowledge in that branch of Science, which has at the same time habituated him to a degree of precision in...
109528th. (Adams Papers)
I attended upon Mr. Wibird in the forenoon. And pass’d the afternoon down at my father’s library. W. Cranch came from Boston last evening, and returned there to’night after meeting. I was very much entertained in reading some journals of my father’s, from 1769, to 1776.
109615th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Allen preach’d; and as usual delivered a good Sermon, in a very bad manner. After meeting; I went up to Mr. J. Tracy’s; I found Townsend there, and rode a few miles with him. We return’d and drank tea at Mrs. Atkins’s. Townsend’s health not permitting him to be out after Sun-set, we came home early, and I was with him all the evening.
10975th. (Adams Papers)
We called this morning at Dr. Welch’s, and at Mr. Guild’s; but left town at about ten o’clock: It was almost one when we got to Braintree. I amused myself as I could in the afternoon: Mrs. Warren, with her son Harry stop’d here this night on their way to Plymouth; to which place General Warren has removed back, after living about eight years at Milton. He was formerly a very popular man, but...
10988th. (Adams Papers)
Finished my book of forms, and wrote an index to them. So that henceforth, I shall be able to attend more steadily to Blackstone. Townsend return’d this morning from Boston.
109925th. (Adams Papers)
We heard Mr. Evans preach, all day: he attempted to be quite pathetic in the afternoon; but when art is seen through it must be disgusting; and when a person appears deeply affected upon a subject, which cannot be very interesting, we must conclude, that he grieves for the pleasure of grieving. This night I watch’d at Mr. Dana’s. I read a couple of novels in the course of the night; both of...
110025th. (Adams Papers)
Very pleasant, all day. A curious Event happened, at the last Assembly: a misfortune befel one of the Ladies; and a few days after, an scandalous Advertisement, was fastened upon a sign post. I have as yet heard no more, but I much suspect it will be attended in the End with some disagreeable Circumstances. Some persons can be taught prudence and Caution only by bitter experience. We expected...