2312d. (Adams Papers)
The weather was extremely warm. I amused myself part of the day in reading, and part in shooting. The cherry trees which are quite full at present, are so inviting to the birds that, there is very good sport with little trouble.
23218th. (Adams Papers)
All day within; the weather uncommonly mild. Mr. Thaxter spent the Evening and supped here. Began the 2d. volume of the Essay upon the human Understanding. There are many things, somewhat abstruse, in this book, and I have not at present time to read them with sufficient attention, but there is one thing, which I never heard of, and which surprized me. He seems to adopt the opinion of the...
2338th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Burr preach’d to us this afternoon, a pretty good Sermon. In the evening I attended the meeting of the A B. and read an essay. Several other pieces of the same kind were presented but the Oration and forensic were omitted. Freeman requested a dismission from the Society, and it was granted: Cranch was chosen in his stead to deliver the anniversary Oration on the 12th. of next month. It was...
2345th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at the Office. Amory was there. Return’d yesterday from Salem. Townsend went to Boston last week, and has not yet return’d. In the afternoon, we attended the funeral of Mrs. Dav enport a sister of Mr. Parsons. She died of a consumption a few days since. Little, and Thomson pass’d an hour with me in the evening, after which, I went with the latter to Mr. Atkins’s. Thomson was much...
23522d. (Adams Papers)
Fast day. Attended Mr. Hilliard the whole day; but to no great purpose: in consequence of the late severity of the College Gov ernors, there has been yesterday and this day, a subscription paper handed about among all the Classes, to procure a meeting of the whole college to-morrow evening in the chapel, every person having a pipe, a glass and a bottle of wine, and there to convince the...
2368th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. White’s family, and Miss Sally McKinstry, drank tea here. This young Lady has been all the Winter at Boston; she is very genteel, and was it not for a little twist in the Position of her eyes, would be uncommonly handsome. Notwithstanding this blemish her Countenance, is pleasing, and frequently dimpled with a smile. She is sociable, but unfortunately I cannot be so with a stranger, and...
23722d. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Allen, and Eliza, stopp’d here on their way to Kittery, at about half after 8. I was not up. I cannot study in the morning, because there is always so much stirring; but when every body else in the house is in bed, I have nothing to interrupt me, so that I seldom retire before 1 in the morning, and rise, between 8 and 9. I have endeavoured to sleep less but have not been able. The...
23812th. (Adams Papers)
By using so little exercice, as I have done for these 18 months; and leading a sedentary life; I have got into a very indifferent state of health: and have determined to attend to nothing further this vacation, than to get into a better way: for this purpose I have begun to take much exercice, from 9 to 1, and from 3 to 6, I was rambling about with my gun. Mr. Gannett and his Lady, got here...
23912th. (Adams Papers)
Went all day to hear Mr. Smith. I had never heard him before. His text for the whole day was from Solomon’s song II. 14. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see, thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. The discourse in the forenoon, was entirely taken up in a description of the...
2402d. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went out with Forbes and Mason, on a gunning party. The game was very scarce, but among us all, we kill’d a large variety of birds. We dined at one Richardson’s, living beyond the fresh pond, and did not return till almost six o’clock; pass’d the evening with Cranch, and was much fatigued.
2418th. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Tracy’s, in Company, with Mr. Molyneux, Mr. Price, Dr. Cutting, Mr. Mores an Englishman, Mr. Storer and H. Otis, and Mr. Hughes. There were two sharp wits present, Mr. Hughes and Dr. Cutting; their bons-mots flew about very frequently. After Dinner I went with Mr. Storer, to Mr. Gannetts for a few Minutes. Went very early to Bed. Harrison Gray (Harry) Otis, who received his...
2425th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard preach’d in the morning from Matthew XXIV 13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. I have no observations to make upon his Sermon, several of those I have made heretofore will apply. In the afternoon, Mr. Burr, the Tutor preach’d from Titus II, 11, 12. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us, that denying...
243[August 1787] (Adams Papers)
A cold north-east storm. Reading and writing all day. Wrote a letter to my mother, and one to my Sister. Read some pages in Bolingbroke’s philosophical works: the stile and matter both inferior to his political writings. JQA to AA , 1 Aug. ( Adams Papers ); his letter to AA2 has not been found. Tom set out this morning for Haverhill. I expected to be there before now; but one thing and another...
24412th. (Adams Papers)
I went down to our Office, to see if there was a Gravesande, there, but none was to be found;—while we were at dinner my Cousin came in from Boston, where he went last night from Cambridge. In the afternoon Charles, and I went out fowling, but came home, as deeply laden as we went. We went in the Evening, and Cranch play’d to an Echo; it has a very agreeable effect. That is, JA ’s law office,...
245[November 1787] (Adams Papers)
I attended in the morning, and in the afternoon at the setting of the supreme Court. Judge Dana, took his seat, for the first time since his illness; from which he has not yet, and I fear never will entirely recover. I dined at his house, and pass’d the evening with my old Clasmate Sam: Williams. The Cases before the Court were not very interesting, except one, which was so intricate, that I...
2462d. (Adams Papers)
Our Tutor, gave us this morning, a most extraordinary, construction of a passage in Homer. Abbot 1st. was beginning to construe, the 181st. line of the 6th Book. πρόσθε λέων, ο̈πισθεν δὲ δράκων, μέσση δέ χίμαιρα He said, a Lion, before, but the Dr. corrected him, by saying it meant superior to a Lion; Abbot immediately took the hint, and made it, superior to a Lion, inferior to a Dragon, and...
24727th. (Adams Papers)
Was at home all day. The Cold, has in some measure abated, but is still severe. The Ladies pass’d the afternoon out. In the evening I read the 3d. Book of our Epic Poem, which does not please me, quite so much as the two first. The Characters of Hezron, Irad, and Selima, are drawn with a masters hand; and the scene of the mutiny, with the death of one of the rebelling chiefs has a vast deal of...
248[February 1788] (Adams Papers)
Pass’d a great part of the fore noon at Mr. Thaxter’s. He is now quite in the family way: he dined with us at Mr. Shaw’s; as did Leonard White and Sam Walker. In the afternoon we rode in a couple of sleighs about 6 miles down upon the river, and return’d just after dark. The party was agreeable; but Walker was an object of great pity. He has ruined his reputation irrevocably; the fairest Life...
24931st. (Adams Papers)
Finish’d Watts’s logic. Which I have been a long time, about, but have never look’d in it except Saturdays in the afternoon. What I this day read were rules to guide our Reason, and I was much pleased with them. The Ladies went in the afternoon, down to Mr. White’s to see Eliza, who has again been very much indisposed. And now the year has come to a close; one half hour more, and probably...
25024th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hilliard gave us an occasional Sermon, occasioned by the Death of Mr. Warland, a young Man, belonging to this Town. His Text was from Job. XIV. 1. 2. Man, that is born of a Woman, is of few days, and full of Trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continueth not. It was one of the best Sermons I have heard from Mr. H: The idea that the...
25127th. (Adams Papers)
Still the same scene fine weather, little wind. At about noon, we spoke to an English brig, Coming from Cadiz, and bound to Ordiné, a small town, in the british Channel. Mr. Le Bel our first Lieutenant is a man of about 35 years; who is also an excellent Seaman. I believe he has pass’d a great part of his Life at Sea. His Character is much that of a mariner who has lost by the life he has lead...
25214th. (Adams Papers)
Went to Boston, in order to get some books which were sent by Callahan; but I could not get them: dined at Deacon Smith’s. Mr. Otis’s family were there. Harry and his father had a dispute concerning the Roman toga. I came up with Beale; in the evening we held a Court of Law. Putnam, and myself were condemned to pay a bottle of wine each. JQA had earlier asked his father to send copies of “New...
2538. (Adams Papers)
Went over to Hingham.
25425th. (Adams Papers)
Leonard White came from Haverhill again yesterday and called to see me this morning. He informed me that both my brothers were at Haverhill. In the evening I went with him to Dr. Swett’s, and pass’d an hour with Little. I communicated to Little my design of drawing a number of female characters, but I doubt whether it will ever be any thing more than a design.
2559th. (Adams Papers)
The air was so effectually cleared by the breaking up of the storms which occupied the atmosphere, that we have had since yesterday morning, a fine breeze, which has sometimes made the ship run 8 knots an hour. In the last 24 hours we have shortened our voyage 53 leagues. Yesterday morning we saw a sloop, which pass’d about ½ a league starboard of us. She had no topmast. I wish’d the Captain...
25615th. (Adams Papers)
We indulged ourselves this morning till almost twelve o’clock before we rose. I called at the office; and pass’d about half an hour there. I felt rather dissipated, and somewhat indisposed for study. In the afternoon when I called at the office, I found Mr. Wendell there. A singular eccentric character with whom I was acquainted, while I was in College, and whom I have probably mentioned...
25712. (Adams Papers)
At home all day. But dull somewhat. Rode.
2585th. (Adams Papers)
I pass’d the evening with Thompson and Putnam at Mr. Bradbury’s. Frank came from Boston this morning, and bro’t an account of the interment of his Honor Thomas Cushing Esqr. who died last week. He has been lieutenant governor of this Commonwealth, ever since the establishment of the Constitution; and it is probable, there will be a vast deal of electioneering intrigue, for the diverse...
2592. (Adams Papers)
General Knox dined with us. P. M. After “P.M.” follows in shorthand “no meeting.”
26026th. (Adams Papers)
Office business. Takes from reading. Dined with Mr. Parsons.
261Saturday Novr. 8. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went with Mr. West to see the Queen’s Palace called Buckingham House; from its having been built by Villiers: Duke of Buckingham; in the first Chamber, are the famous Cartoons of Raphael; which were Painted on Paper to be taken on Tapestry; at Brussels; there are 7. of them; they represented several of the Acts of the apostles; the name of the Painter makes it unnecessary to say, in what...
26217. (Adams Papers)
Can neither read nor write.
2635th. (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.
26430. (Adams Papers)
Rain. Little past the evening with me.
265Wednesday Novr. 12th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Drury Lane Theatre; the pieces represented were, the West Indian and Fortunatus. The West Indian , London, 1771, by Richard Cumberland; Fortunatus, an unpublished pantomime, by Henry Woodward, originally produced in 1753 ( Biographia Dramatica David Erskine Baker and others, eds., Biographia Dramatica; Or, A Companion to the Play House ... , London, 1764-1812; 3 vols, in 4. ).
26621. (Adams Papers)
Meeting afternoon. L. W. Mr. Thaxter.
267Monday Decr. 1st. 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.
26827th. (Adams Papers)
Two Miss Greenleaf’s came here this forenoon, and still remain. Mr. Cranch went to Boston this morning. Mr. Weld and his lady, and Parson Wibird drank tea here, and we had a quantity of music in the evening. Probably Rebecca, who later married Noah Webster, the lexicographer, and Anna (Nancy), who married William Cranch, JQA ’s cousin, in 1795; they were daughters of William Greenleaf, the...
26917th. (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...
2706th. (Adams Papers)
Down upon the water side, and along upon the marshes with my cousin all the forenoon, but we were obliged to retire before we wished. In the afternoon I wrote an answer to Mr. Belknap. I have ventured upon a step, which perhaps some persons may censure; but as the circumstances are I know not what else to do, and if I am justified in the minds, of men, possessed of candid and liberal...
27121st. (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.
27227th. (Adams Papers)
No reciting this afternoon. A number of the Scholars are forming themselves into a military Company, and sent a Committee to the Governor, for some arms.
27310th. (Adams Papers)
Spent the whole of the forenoon at Mr. Thaxter’s office. Dined at Mr. Shaw’s. In the afternoon I went down to Mr. White’s, and found Leonard just going to ride out with his mother. Mr. White went with her himself, and Leonard remained with me. I passed the evening there till almost 9 and then return’d to Mr. Shaw’s. Mrs. White is very unwell, and Mrs. Bartlett carries a very heavy burden about...
27424th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I was present at the marriage, of Mr. Nash and Miss Apthorp. They were married in the Chapel by Mr. Parker, as Mr. Freeman, the minister there, not having receiv’d orders, cannot perform the Ceremony. He was however present and in the Pulpit, where he was kind enough to give me a place. Mr. Tyler, who is intimate with him, introduced me to him. Mr. Nash was dress’d in his...
275Saturday September 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
Between 9 and 10 o’clock this morning I departed from Braintree with Mrs. Cranch: we got to Mr. Foster’s at about 12. I went to Mr. Dawes’s office, where I found Cranch and Forbes. Dined with the former at Mr. Foster’s. Stroll’d about town all the afternoon and just before Sun-set: I took a walk to Cambridge: where I arrived at about 8 o’clock.
27625th. (Adams Papers)
Paris. At the Opera. Panurge dans l’lsle des Lanternes ; a new Opera. 12th time. Words, which are very indifferent M: Morel: music, which is exquisite M: Gretri. I dont know how it happens, but the more this gentleman composes, the better his music is, I think. The dancing was also admirable, Gardel, and Vestris, perhaps the two best dancers in the world, performed together; and strove to...
27715th. (Adams Papers)
We had this day, two young Gentlemen, to dine with us. Mr. Saml. Brooks from the Academy, at Exeter, where they have at present a vacation for three weeks; and Sam: Walker, my brother Charles’s Chum, at College: their vacancy will not begin till next Wednesday, but he has obtained leave to come home already. Leonard White too, was here in the afternoon. He came home on Wednesday, returned on...
2787th. (Adams Papers)
The Palladian band , have begun to exercise, and Captain Vose, feels quite important. I do not know, that I ever saw a man more gratified, with a distinction, of so little Importance. But ambition has almost always a trifle for its aim, and rattle for rattle, I do not see why this should not be as good as any other. I have not join’d this Company, because I fear there will be such disputes,...
27911th. (Adams Papers)
Paris afternoon. Got of Froullé Brindley’s Virgil. Went to see Mr. Pickman, at the Hotel de york. He intends setting away for London, next Monday. Spent the evening with Mr. Jefferson whom I love to be with, because he is a man of very extensive learning, and pleasing manners. Memorandum took the 4 last volumes of The tableau de Paris. Mr. Williamos, with Mr. and Mrs. Rooker, were at Auteuil...
2804th. (Adams Papers)
Reading over the Salem paper to day, I found an account of the death, and funeral of Mr. Hardy, a delegate in Congress from the State of Virginia, a gentleman, from whom I received the politest treatment while I was in New York, but what is of Consequence, a firm and steady friend to his Country, a mild Republican, and a worthy man. In the evening Mr. Thaxter return’d from Salem, where he...