23126th. (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...
23225th. (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...
23324th. (Adams Papers)
Pickman went to Salem this morning. In the evening, I took a long walk with Thompson, down towards Newbury Bridge, in hopes of meeting Mr. Andrews; we were however unsuccessful. When we returned, I stop’d and past an hour with Putnam. He told me they had received a letter at Mr. Bradbury’s from Andrews informing them, that his health, would necessarily prevent him, from coming to-morrow, but...
23423d. (Adams Papers)
Continual North east winds have prevailed for a week past. This evening, I past, with Thompson at Captain Coombs’s. We found Mr. Porter and Mr. Kellogg, two young Parsons there. The evening was tolerable; and something more. Fanny Jenkins was as easy, as good natured, as talkative as usual. Jenny Coombs is sensible and clever. Her Sister Polly it is feared, is in a consumption: a disorder by...
23522d. (Adams Papers)
I was up before eight, and had not slept well, even the short Time I was in bed; I felt stiff and unfit for almost every thing. I read but little at the Office; and omitted one thing, which for three weeks past has claimed my attention, very constantly: The Club, were at my lodgings this evening; Stacey however went away somewhat early; to meet some of his friends from Andover, and we were all...
23621st. (Adams Papers)
I walk’d with Pickman in the evening to Sawyer’s; where we drank tea; and made it almost ten o’clock before we got home. I then went up with my flute to Stacey’s lodgings, our general head quarters. About a quarter before twelve, Stacey, Thompson, Putnam, with a couple of young lads by the name of Greenough and myself sallied forth, upon a scheme of serenading. We paraded round the Town, till...
23720th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons had the frame of his House raised, and was consequently very busy. Walk’d with Pickman. We met Thompson, and all went to see Mr. N. Carter who was lately married. His wife is not quite so stiff in her manners, as she used to be, a year and an half ago; but she has already adopted other airs; and appears no less affected than formerly. De gustibus non est disputandum; There’s no...
23819th. (Adams Papers)
Began upon the second book of Hawkins. The first treats of all offences, against the public; and this of the punishments to which they are liable. I walk’d with Thompson in the evening: we called at Mrs. Hooper’s, and pass’d an hour there; after which we went to Mr. Carter’s. Miss Polly goes to Boston to-morrow.
23918th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. McKeen of Beverley preached at Mr. Carey’s this day. I attended to hear him. His discourses were, though sensible, calculated to please the generality of the audience; I did not like them so well as those of Mr. Barnard, the last Sunday. After meeting Pickman called upon me, and I went up with him to see Mr. Jackson, where we drank tea, and pass’d the evening. Mr. McKeen, and Mr. Farnham...
24017th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Judge Greenleaf’s with Pickman and Thompson. Two Miss Dalton’s were there; and Miss Deblois a young lady whose brother is paying his addresses to the eldest Miss Dalton. Miss Deblois has been much celebrated, as a beauty; and she may still be called very handsome: though she be as much as 27. She is sociable and agreeable: Though she is not yet wholly destitute of that kind of vanity,...
24116th. (Adams Papers)
Took a walk after leaving the office, with Thompson and Putnam. We were for calling in at Mr. Frazier’s, to see the young girls, but upon the presumption they were not there, I would not stop; accordingly we proceeded. Thompson left us: Putnam, was very impatient, but just as we had turn’d the corner into high street, both Miss Frazier’s, and Putnam’s own Harriet appeared. He was as happy as...
24215th. (Adams Papers)
Club met this evening at Pickman’s. All there but Little, who is going through the small pox. Mr. Farnham was there; the evening was agreeable. Pickman left us at half after eight, to call on a Lady, who came this afternoon from Salem. After nine we took a walk of a mile or two before we retired; just as I got home I met a number of people; who had just come from the town-house, where it seems...
24314th. (Adams Papers)
I walk’d with Thompson up to Mrs. Atkins’s. The old Lady is gone to Boston to spend a fortnight. Mr. and Mrs. Searle were there; and Mr. Atkins came home soon after. Atkins is a man of abilities; but of strong passions; and as he was cramped in his youth, by his penurious circumstances, his disposition was soured, and he is now excessively irritable, and his natural frankness has degenerated...
24413th. (Adams Papers)
I took a walk with Pickman up to Sawyer’s tavern, and drank tea there. The evenings are now so short that it was nine o’clock before we got back. Our Future prospects in life were the Subject of our conversation. The appearance before him is very fair: his father is a man of large fortune, which although divided among several children, gives each of them a sum sufficient for starting forward:...
24512th. (Adams Papers)
I have been quite unwell, these two or three days past; a disorder recurs with which I have been troubled in the Spring, the two years back; and it is more inconvenient this time than it ever has been before. At Mr. Parsons’s recommendation, I have this day taken up Hawkins’s pleas of the Crown. I think I should not now have selected this book, had it been left at my option. This branch of the...
24611th. (Adams Papers)
I attended meeting to hear Parson Barnard of Salem. He gave us two very excellent Sermons. And his prayers were admirable; which is something very uncommon. I am told indeed that he regularly composes this part of the service; as well as his Sermons; an example worthy of imitation. His address for Mr. Carey, was tender and affectionate, and the manner in which he spoke it was truly affecting....
24710th. (Adams Papers)
The storm continued all this day, and rather with increasing violence. Thompson and I again dined with Mr. Parsons. I passed the evening with Putnam at his lodgings: I this day got through Foster, and have been more pleased than with any professional book I have hitherto read; not even Blackstone excepted. The subject indeed being the pleas of the Crown, is not so immediately connected with a...
2489th. (Adams Papers)
Violent North-east storm, all day. We all dined with Mr. Parsons. Thompson pass’d the evening with me. This storm gives me some anxiety, as possibly Callahan may be now upon the Coast. I would hope however for the best.
2498th. (Adams Papers)
The town met this afternoon to make choice of representatives for the ensuing year. Jonan. Greenleaf Esqr. Theop Parsons Esq. Captn. W. Coombs, and Mr. Jonan. Marsh, were the persons elected. We met in the evening at Putnam’s lodgings. Stacey desired to join the Club, and was accordingly received. Little did not come; and as we began to be impatient we sent over to Dr. Swett’s for him. But...
2507th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was very fine; I took a long walk in the evening with Thompson and Putnam. Thompson left us, and went to see Parson Spring. Putnam came home, and past the remainder of the evening with me. I have used myself for several days past to rise very early, and should wish to do so through the Summer: but my propensity to sleep is so great, that it is almost always impossible for me to...
2516th. (Adams Papers)
In the beginning of the evening, I took a walk with Pickman, up to Mrs. Atkins’s. We found only the old Lady at home; and she was so unwell, that we supposed Company would not be very agreeable to her; and soon came away: we met Thompson just as we were coming out; he turn’d about and came back with us. I have little to say. That part of my Time which is best improved is productive of nothing,...
2525th. (Adams Papers)
I began this morning at the Office upon Foster’s Crown Law, a book admirably written I am told, and notwithstanding the barrenness of the subject as entertaining as it is instructive. I pass’d an hour in the beginning of the evening at Mrs. Hooper’s and then went with Thompson to Mr. S. Hooper’s. Miss Roberts was there; I think I have already mentioned this Lady; she is uncommonly sensible,...
2534th. (Adams Papers)
I heard Mr. Andrews preach, his sermons were both very short; but better I think than those he delivered last Sunday; his text was, “If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would they be perswaded though one rose from the dead.” Pickman observed, that there was a Sermon of Archbishop Tillotson, from the same Text, and the similarity is such as proves that Mr. Andrews had read it;...
2543d. (Adams Papers)
I this day got through the 4th. volume of Blackstone’s Commentaries a second time, and I imagine I have derived no less benefit from a second perusal, than I did from the first. I have been longer about it than I wish’d, but the interruption of an whole fortnight by a Journey prolonged the time which I took for reading this book, greatly. In the evening I took a long walk with Pickman and...
255John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
We have mutually been deficient in those attentions, which absent connections ought always to preserve towards one another: the fault has been the greatest on my side, as I was under the additional obligation of setting a good example; but I feel myself at this time peculiarly bound to write to you, to apologize for the rough expressions which upon several occasions I used while I was with...
2562d. (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...
257Thursday May 1st. 1788. (Adams Papers)
Pickman returned this afternoon from Salem. The Club were in the evening at my room: Young Fowle, Thompson’s poetical Class-mate spent the evening with us. Pickman went off quite early. He attended a ball in Salem, last evening, and what with the fatigue of dancing, and that of riding this day he was tired out.
258[April 1788] (Adams Papers)
The Court sits this day at Ipswich. Mr. Parsons went in the afternoon, I dined with him. Pickman gone to Salem: so that for two or three days I have been wholly alone at the office: Putnam took a long walk with me; he has been amusing himself with Stacey this day by the prescriptive privilege of deceiving. The manner was imprudent, and the thing itself beneath his years: but there is a...
25930th. (Adams Papers)
Very agreeable weather. After we had done at the office, I took a long walk with Thompson. We then went to Mrs. Emery’s where we found Miss Roberts. We there pass’d a couple of hours, and from thence went to Mr. Frazier’s. We found ourselves in the midst of a large Company of young folks. All the College lads, and all the young Misses of that sett. We past about an hour with them, and then...
26029th. (Adams Papers)
The weather this day was tolerable. I went in the evening with Thompson to Captain Coombs’s, where we found the young Ladies. Polly Coombs, is very sick; they fear in a Consumption. Nancy Jenkins too has been unwell, and still looks thin. Mr. Farnham and J. Greenleaf were there; and Mr. Cutler. We had singing as usual.
26128th. (Adams Papers)
Dull weather. Wind Northeast. It began to rain a little after noon, and continued all the rest of the day. I pass’d the evening at Dr. Swett’s. We play’d whist, and I was somewhat unfortunate. Little came home and lodg’d with me; the weather being so bad, that he could not conveniently go to Newbury.
26227th. (Adams Papers)
I attended meeting all day, and heard Mr. Andrews. He speaks very well, and his composition was I believe generally pleasing. I sometimes think that he mistakes his genius, and imagines that his fansy is lively and his first thoughts the best; while in truth his conception is naturally slow, and he ought to study greatly his writings. He was this day very brilliant in his expressions, and...
26326th. (Adams Papers)
Between five and six this morning, I left the judge’s house, with Mr. Andrews who is going to preach at Newbury-Port. We stopp’d at the Colleges, to take their Letters, but they had not risen. The Clock struck six, as we went out of the College yard. We breakfasted at Newells tavern, and got into Salem at about ten o’clock: I paid a visit to Mr. Read; he is going to be married; and to a young...
26425th. (Adams Papers)
I left Braintree between 9 and 10. and stoppd, about half an hour at Genl. Warren’s, he was gone to Plymouth but Mrs. Warren was at home. The Genl.’s political character has undergone of late a great alteration. Among all those who were formerly his friends he is extremely unpopular; while the insurgent and antifederal party (for it is but one) consider him in a manner as their head; and have...
26524th. (Adams Papers)
Charles went to Boston this morning, and brought me back some letters from Europe. I went in the forenoon with Miss Betsey Cranch, down to Mrs. Quincy’s where she intends to spend a few days: but I did not see either of the ladies there: Miss Quincy, has in some measure recovered from the illness occasioned by a mistake in taking a medicine. I spent my time this day as I have every day since I...
26623d. (Adams Papers)
The weather was so disagreeable, that Mr. Norton gave up the thoughts of going to Menotomy, and return’d to Weymouth. It has been very dull, a great part of this month. March was much more agreeable. My Brothers however went over to Milton in the afternoon, I intended when I came here to have returned yesterday to Cambridge; but I have deferr’d it, and shall probably still defer it till...
26722d. (Adams Papers)
I took a ride in the forenoon with W. Cranch. Mr. Cranch came home from Boston, and brought young Waters with him. Mr. Weld, with his wife and her Sister pass’d the afternoon here; and when I return’d from my father’s Library, where I went to take a list of his Law-Books; I found Mr. Norton here: he has some thoughts of going to Menotomy to-morrow, to Mr. Fiske’s ordination; and made this a...
26821st. (Adams Papers)
We were again confined all day to the house, by the badness of the weather. Mr. Cranch however went to Boston. I find, as I always have found, great inconveniences in writing here, and indeed, there are no small inconveniences in thinking; I wrote however a little, and read a few pages in Gilbert’s treatise of Evidence, it being a Law book. W. Cranch is reading Bacon; but makes no great...
26920th. (Adams Papers)
I pass’d the forenoon at home in writing. In the afternoon, I attended meeting and heard Mr. Wibird. After meeting, I went down to view the house, which they are repairing for my father: I was not perfectly pleased with it; but it now appears in a very unfavourable light: they are obliged to make the most necessary repairs very hastily expecting my father in a few weeks. I am in hopes, that...
27019th. (Adams Papers)
The weather has been rather better this day than it was yesterday. I went with both my brothers on a shooting party, an amusement which I follow no where except at Braintree though, there could not perhaps be a more miserable place, for sport. Dined with W. Cranch, and my brothers at Dr. Tufts’s in Weymouth; and saw Mrs. Tufts for the first Time since her marriage: last fall she was at...
27118th. (Adams Papers)
A cold north east storm, confined us to the house all day. I read a few pages in one of Gilbert’s treatises and wrote a little, likewise. The time however was spent without much improvement; Doctor Tufts was over here Yesterday and this day. He was attending upon Miss Quincy, who has been very ill in consequence of making a mistake in taking medicine, by swallowing salt petre instead of salts.
27217th. (Adams Papers)
Fast day. In the forenoon I remained at home, and spent my time in writing and reading. In the afternoon, I heard Parson Wibird. Mrs. Cranch and Miss Lucy came home this evening; a person from Boston brought us some Letters which came from Europe. Callahan was to sail, about the first of this month; which will probably be extended to the fifteenth. By this time I suppose my friends will be at...
27316th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Judge Dana’s. Doctor Waterhouse came, in and entertained us for some time with his quaint wit. I paid several visits in the course of the forenoon: pass’d a couple of hours very agreeably with Miss Wigglesworth and Miss Jones. The latter of these two Ladies, in former times, was not with me upon so good terms as at present. I thought her capricious, and ill-natured: but of late...
27415th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was quite disagreeable, for exhibition; in consequence of which there was but little company. Phillips began the performances, with a Latin Oration. His subject was General Washington; a subject which must be inexhaustible or it would long since have been exhausted. He spoke well. Treadwell and Gardner , next came upon the stage, in a forensic disputation. Their question was...
27514th. (Adams Papers)
I met with several impediments in the morning so that it was eleven o’clock before I cross’d the river: the weather was very good, but growing Cloudy. I got to Doctor Kitteridge’s house at Andover, before one. I stop’d to see my Class-mate W. Abbot and dined there. Bowman and Wyeth were likewise there. I would say something of Mrs. Kitteridge, but it would be now a very improper time to give...
27613th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Dined at Mr. Thaxter’s with Mr. J. Duncan. And in the afternoon, after service: we took a long walk. When we return’d to Mr. Thaxter’s we found Mr. Bartlett and his wife and Leonard White there. Mr. Parsons came in soon after. He is going to attend the Supreme Court, who will sit this week at Concord. The conversation soon turned upon political subjects; I knew we...
27712th. (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).
27811th. (Adams Papers)
I set out with Pickman this morning at about nine o’clock: the weather was clear though rather windy: before twelve we arrived at Haverhill. I went immediately to Mr. Shaws; and Pickman, went to the tavern to meet a carriage, which he expected from Salem; but very unfortunately he found the Carriage, had past through the Town, not more than a quarter of an hour before he got there: such...
27910th. (Adams Papers)
From the divers interruptions which we met with in the course of the day, we did but little at the office. We met this evening at Pickman’s chamber: he has joined us and is regularly with us. Stacey likewise pass’d the evening with us; and Mr. W. Farnham; I agreed to go with Pickman to Haverhill to-morrow. From thence I intend in the beginning of the next week, to proceed to Cambridge; attend...
2809th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Pickman and Thompson, at Mr. Parsons’s upon Salmon, which begin now to be caught in the river. We did not do much business in the afternoon. I called upon Putnam, after taking a walk with Thompson, but Putnam was engaged for the evening; so that I soon came home to my lodgings.