2531Aug. 8th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set out from Halle at about 3 o’clock, and rode without interruption untill we arrived at Cambray at about 2 1/2 afternoon. We dined at Cambray, and after dinner we went to the Cathedral Church, and saw the tomb of François de Salignac de la Mothe, Fenelon; Archbishop, of Cambray, and author of Telemachus. At 4. we left Cambray and rode till 10, when we arrived at Roye where we...
2532Aug. 9th. Saturday (Adams Papers)
We Left Roye this morning about 5. o’clock and rode as far as Chantilly without Interruption. We dined at Chantilly, and I went to see the Gardens and Stables of the Prince de Condé to whom this Place belongs. The Stables are a fine Piece of Architecture, and every thing is in order. There are 240. horses in them, and each horse has his own manger; with his name over it. Inside of the building...
2533Aug. 10th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This morning, at about 10 o’clock, I accompanied my Father to Passy, to see Dr. Franklin whom I knew already, and Mr. Jay, the american Minister at Madrid, whom I had never seen before; they were at breakfast and had a great deal of Company. Mr. Jay and my Father took a walk in the Garden and had a Conversation upon politicks, which, is of no Necessity here. From thence we went to Auteuil; to...
2534Aug. 11th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Hartley the British Minister for making Peace, came to pay a visit to my Father, but as he was out he desired to see me. I had some Conversation with him. He says he hopes the Peace will be soon signed. In the afternoon I went with my Father to Passy, and saw there Dr. Franklin and Mr. and Mrs. Jay. I also renewed my acquaintance with young Mr. Bache. We went at the same time...
2535Aug. 12th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This morning my Father went to Versailles. At half past 12. I met the Abbé Arnaud at the Thuileries, and we walk’d together to Passy. I dined at the Abbé Chalut’s there, in Company with the Abbé de Mably and some other Gentlemen. The Abbé has travelled thro’ Poland, and talk’d a good deal about that Country. For the Climate he says that for the first fortnight in November it commonly snows...
2536Aug. 15th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This day I dined at Passy at Dr. Franklin’s with a numerous Company. In the evening I went to the Comedy at the Bois de Boulogne. Beverlei and le Français a Londres were the plays represented. Beverlei is what the French call a Tragedie bourgeoise , as Barnwell in English. The Subject of it is, a Man addicted to gaming, who ruins himself by it, or rather is ruined by a villain who pretends to...
2537Aug. 16th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Brantsen’s; the Dutch Ambassadors, with a great deal of Company. In the evening I went to the French Comedy; the pieces represented were Rhadamiste et Zenobie a Tragedy by Crebillon and Le Français a Londres. The author of the Tragedy is regarded as one of the best dramatick poets of France. His Tragedies are all very deep, indeed, they are so much so, that several of them...
2538Aug. 20th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Passy with the Abbé de Chalut.
2539Aug. 21st. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This day My Father had a great Company to dine with him. The occasion for the dinner party is not known.
2540Aug. 22d. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon at 11 o’clock, I went, in Company with My Lord Ancram, Mr. Stewart and my father to see the Academy of the Abbe L’epée, who has undertaken to teach, people born deaf and dumb, not only to converse with one another very fluently, but also, to read and write, and he has succeeded entirely. It is astonishing to see how fast and how easily they make themselves understood, to one...
2541Aug 23d. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went and paid a visit to the Baron de la Houze the Minister of France at the Court of Denmark, who is here at present by Congé, and whom I had the honour of seeing at Copenhagen. He talked to me a great deal about America. He said he believed that France, England and Holland would carry on the greatest part of our Commerce; that the Nations of the North wanted a number of our...
254224. (Adams Papers)
Comédie Italienne voyage de Rosine et Felix ou l’enfant trouvé. Pierre Antoine Augustin de Piis and Pierre Yves Barré, Les voyages de Rosine, Paris, 1783; Felix, ou l’enfant trouvé, Paris, 1777, by Michel Jean Sedaine, with music by Pierre Alexandre de Monsigny ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley,...
254325. (Adams Papers)
Comédie Italienne le bon ménage, et Blaise et Babet. Mr. T——r returned. Jean Pierre Claris de Florian, Le Bon ménage, ou, la suite des deux billets, Paris, 1783; Blaise et Babet, ou, la suite des trois fermiers, Paris, 1783, by Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel, with music by Nicolas Dezède ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French...
2544Aug. 27th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went to see the Pictures which are exposed to view in the Gallery of the Louvre; there are some good paintings there amongst a great number of indifferent ones. After dinner I went to see the experiment, of the flying globe. A Mr. Montgolfier of late has discovered that, if one fills a ball with inflammable air, much lighter than common air, the ball of itself will go up to an...
2545Aug. 28th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
The Journal de Paris of this day, says a great deal about the flying globe. It speaks of it as follows. “L’experience ingenieuse que M. M. de Montgolfier ont fait à Annonay interesse assés pour qu’on ne soit pas surpris de l’empressement qu’on a mis à la repeter. A peine la souscription qui devoit en faciliter les moyens fut elle ouverte par M. Faujas de Saint Fond et deux ou trois de ses...
2546Aug 29th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
The Journal de Paris of this day, speaks as follows of the flying globe. “Nous venons d’apprendre que le Ballon, aprés avoir voyagé pendant trois quarts d’heure dans les regions de l’air et hors de la vue, est tombé à Gonesse, distant de Paris de quatres lieues; l’on y a reconnu une ouverture produite par l’explosion qui a dû se faire, lorsque ce Globe a atteint un air qui, lui opposant moins...
2547[September 1783] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Auteuil. French Comedy: le Joueur et le Retour imprévu. Jean François Regnard, Le joueur, Paris, 1697, and Le retour imprévu, Paris, 1700 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ; Cioranescu, Bibliographic du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature...
2548September. 2d. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Auteuil. French Comedy: le Joueur et le Retour imprévu. Jean François Regnard, Le joueur, Paris, 1697, and Le retour imprévu, Paris, 1700 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ; Cioranescu, Bibliographic du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature...
25493. (Adams Papers)
Signature of the Definitive Treaty. Unable to make any appreciable progress with their negotiations since the signing of the Preliminary Treaty on 30 Nov. 1782, the British ministry and American commissioners finally accepted those preliminary articles, with some changes, at Hartley’s lodgings in the Hôtel d’York on this day ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams ,...
25504. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Hartley’s.
25517. (Adams Papers)
C. Ital: Blaise et Babet, a la Clochette. See entry for 25 Aug., note 1 (above). La clochette , Paris, 1766, by Louis Anseaume, with music by Egide Romuald Duni ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
25529. (Adams Papers)
Diné à Passi. C. Ital: Jeannot et Colin, l’heureuse Erreur et les Vendangeurs. Florian, Jeannot et Colin , Paris, 1780; Joseph Patrat, L’heureuse erreur, Paris, 1783; Pierre Antoine Augustin de Piis and Pierre Yves Barré, Les vendangeurs, ou, les deux baillis, Paris, 1780 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 ,...
255310. (Adams Papers)
Diné à Auteuil. Eclipse totale de la Lune.
255411. (Adams Papers)
C. Ital: Blaise et Babet et Isabelle et Gertrude. This was the third time JQA had seen this musical comedy in less than three weeks. Isabelle et Gertrude, ou, les sylphes supposés , Paris, 1765, by Charles Simon Favart, with music by Adolphe Blaise ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
255513. (Adams Papers)
C. Fr: Mercure galant et Partie de Chasse de Henri 4. Edme Boursault, Le mercure galant, ou, la comédie sans titre , Paris, 1679; Charles Collé, La partie de chasse de Henri IV , Paris, 1766 ( Cioranescu, Bibliographie du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature française du dix-huitième siècle , Paris, 1965. ; Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz...
255614. (Adams Papers)
Fete de S: Cloud. Diné entre là et Auteuil. M: T——r parti. An annual festival held on the grounds of the royal palace of St. Cloud ( Journal de Paris , 4 Sept. 1785). John Thaxter left for Philadelphia, carrying with him the Definitive Treaty with Great Britain, and the original Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands, the latter signed at The Hague on 8 Oct. 1782 ( JA to Benjamin...
255716. (Adams Papers)
Varietés Amusantes Foire St. Laurent. An annual fair held from July to September (Jacques Antoine Dulaure, Histoire civile, physique et morale de Paris . . . , 10 vols., rev. and corr., Paris, 1825, 8:199–203; Almanach royal, 1783 Almanach royal, année M.DCCLXXVHI [8cc.]. Présenté à sa majesté pour la première fois en 1699 , Paris, no date. , p. 628).
2558Saturday Septr. 20th. (Adams Papers)
The enthusiasm of the People of Paris for the flying Globes is very great, several Propositions have been made from Persons, who to enjoy the honour of having been the first Travellers through the air, are willing to go up in them and run ten risques to one of breaking their necks: one of the queerest propositions, is the following one taken from the Journal de Paris of Yesterday. Je partage...
2559Monday Septr. 22th. (Adams Papers)
This morning (as my Father has been for some days very ill and the Country air being thought necessary for him) we removed from Paris to Auteuil at Mr. Barclay’s. The flying Globes are still much in Vogue: they have advertised a small one of eight inches diameter, at 6 livres a piece without air and 8 livres with it, but it has been carried so far that several accidents have happened to...
256024. (Adams Papers)
Mme. Ridley accouchée. Ann Richardson, whom Matthew Ridley married in England in 1775, gave birth to a son, Lucius, on this day. They were also living in the house of the Comte de Rouault at Auteuil to which they had moved for the sake of Mrs. Ridley’s health (Herbert E. Klingelhofer, “Matthew Ridley’s Diary during the Peace Negotiations of 1782,” WMQ William and Mary Quarterly. , 3d ser.,...
256126. (Adams Papers)
Diné chés M: Franklin.
256230. (Adams Papers)
Départ de M. Barclay.
2563[October 1783] (Adams Papers)
Diné chéz M: l’Abbé de Chalut. Left Auteuil, with my Father, for London, at about 9 o’clock in the morning; rode 9 ½ posts as far as St. Just and stopp’d for the night. We dined at Chantilly. First entry in D/JQA/9, which covers the period 20 Oct.–6 Dec., but lacks entries for 27 Oct.; 5, 19, 22, 27–28 Nov.; and 3–4 Dec. This Diary booklet, measuring approximately 4½″ × 7¼″, consists of nine...
2564October. 17. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Diné chéz M: l’Abbé de Chalut.
2565Monday October 20th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Left Auteuil, with my Father, for London, at about 9 o’clock in the morning; rode 9 ½ posts as far as St. Just and stopp’d for the night. We dined at Chantilly. First entry in D/JQA/9, which covers the period 20 Oct.–6 Dec., but lacks entries for 27 Oct.; 5, 19, 22, 27–28 Nov.; and 3–4 Dec. This Diary booklet, measuring approximately 4½″ × 7¼″, consists of nine sheets of folded paper to create...
2566Tuesday. 21st. (Adams Papers)
Set away from St. Just at about 7 ½ o’clock; dined at Amiens; the Capital of the Province of Picardy: stopp’d at Abbeville; after having rode 11. posts.
2567Wednesday 22d. (Adams Papers)
In our Carriage at 6 o’clock, went 9 posts before dinner. Dined at Boulogne. Arrived at Calais at about 7 ½ o’clock having rode 13. posts. Lodged at Monsr. Dessein’s: Hotel d’Angleterre. Pierre Quillacq, or M. Dessein (or Dessin) as he was called, gained a great reputation from Laurence Sterne’s allusions to him and his hotel in A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy ( AA2, Jour. and...
2568Thursday 23d [–Friday. Octr. 24th.]. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 10 o’clock we went on board the Packet Boat; for Dover. We got out of the harbour with a great deal of difficulty as the wind was quite Contrary, but as soon as we were out a Calm came on which lasted till about 11. o’clock at night. Some wind then arose which brought us near the Port of Dover: at about 2 in the morning; but the wind being very strong; we were obliged to go on...
2569Saturday. Octr. 25. (Adams Papers)
We set away from Dover in a post chaise and pair; went through Canterbury; the chief see of all England. We were told there was a curious Cathedral there but had not time to go to see it. We dined at Rochester: a considerable city: 43 miles distant from Dover. We arrived at Dartford at about 4 ½ and stopp’d there for the Night. JQA ’s probable connotation here is “interesting” or “noteworthy”...
2570Sunday Octr. 26th. (Adams Papers)
We came away from Dartford at about 8. o’clock; and arrived at London at about 11: the distance from Dover is. 72, miles: we took up Lodgings at Osborn’s Adelphi Hotel John Street; in the Strand. Osborne’s Hotel was in the Adelphi Buildings, extending from the Strand to the Thames, which were constructed in 1768 by the Adam brothers and used as dwellings and warehouses; John Street, off the...
2571Tuesday. 28th. (Adams Papers)
The forenoon we went to see the Monuments in Westminster Abbey: we saw a great Collection of tombs of Kings, Heroes, Statesmen, and Poets. There are some very ancient monuments: a number of figures in wax and the chairs in which the kings and Queens of England are crowned: they are said to be more than 1400. years old: we had not time to examine very attentively this building: and shall...
2572Wednesday 29th. (Adams Papers)
Took private lodgings; at Mr. Stockdale’s, opposite Burlington House Piccadilly. John Stockdale , London publisher and bookseller, became a long-time friend and correspondent of JA and later of JQA . He began shortly hereafter to publish works of American authors, including a reprint of John Almon’s edition of JA ’s Novanglus letters, History of the Dispute with America . . ., in London, 1784...
2573Thursday 30th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went with some Gentlemen and Ladies to dine out of town. We pass’d over Westminster Bridge and Black Friars, and went through Islington, over High gate hill, to Ham p ste a d; where we dined. The appearance of the Land on this road is extremely rich, and at this time of year, the verdure is nearly as great, as it is in France in the Month of May. The Prospect is said to be the...
2574Friday Octr. 31st. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Vaughan’s: in the evening we went to the Drury Lane Theatre, where Isabella, or the Fatal marriage and the Irish Widow, were represented. Mrs. Siddons; supposed to be the first Tragick performer in Europe, play’d the part of Isabella. A young Lady, in the next Box to where we were, was so much affected by it as to be near fainting and was carried out. I am told that every Night...
2575[November 1783] (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with Mr. W. Vaughan to see the Paintings of Mr. Pine, and Mr. Copley, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Death of the Earl of Chatham, by Mr. Copley, is the most Remarkable of the Paintings We saw; it is very Beautiful. We went also to see Mrs. Wright’s waxwork. Dined at Mr. Bingham’s. Robert Edge Pine was born in London and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1784 with the intention of...
2576Saturday November 1. 1783. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went with Mr. W. Vaughan to see the Paintings of Mr. Pine, and Mr. Copley, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Death of the Earl of Chatham, by Mr. Copley, is the most Remarkable of the Paintings We saw; it is very Beautiful. We went also to see Mrs. Wright’s waxwork. Dined at Mr. Bingham’s. Robert Edge Pine was born in London and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1784 with the intention of...
2577Sunday Novr. 2. 1783. (Adams Papers)
I went this forenoon to take a view of St. Paul’s Church, which is the largest, and most magnificent Protestant church now standing and excepting St. Peter’s at Rome the largest in the World. But we could not get into it, because on Sundays it is open only in Service time; and we were there between services, so we saw only the outside of it. It was built of a whitish stone, but the lower Parts...
2578Monday Novr. 3. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Went in the Evening to the theatre, Drury Lane where Measure for Measure, with the Apprentice were represented. Mrs. Siddons play’d the part of Isabella in measure for measure, because it had been said, she could not speak Shakespeare’s lines; and that she could not play in Comedy; for the first part she prov’d the contrary; as she play’d extremely well, but the critics say she has not yet...
2579Tuesday Novr. 4th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon we went with Messrs. Jay, Bingham, and W. Vaughan, to see the Holophusicon, or Sir Ashton Lever’s Museum; there is an immense Collection, of all sorts of Natural History; But the most Compleat part is that of the birds, of which he has between three and four thousand; they are extremely Curious; and worth more examination than we had time to give to them. But besides this he has...
2580Thursday Novr. 6th. 1783. (Adams Papers)
This day, being Term day, we went, with Mr. Jennings, and saw the procession of the Lawyers, and Judges to Westminster Hall; and we saw the four Courts; the Kings Bench, Common Pleas, Chancery, and Exchequer, all sitting. Dined at M: W. Vaughan’s. That is, the beginning of Michaelmas Term, one of four yearly sessions of English courts of law.