34212d. (Adams Papers)
Recite this week in Burlamaqui: This is the day on which the election of a governor is made throughout the Commonwealth: in this Town, there were only 37 votes for Mr. Bowdoin, and 154 for Mr. Hancock: this gentleman has likewise a majority of 50 votes in Boston; indeed it is supposed he will have a consider able majority throughout the State. Mr. Cushing has the majority of votes, as...
34223d. (Adams Papers)
At nine this morning the Class in two divisions read their forensics one part upon the Question “Which is the best form of government;” and the other upon that “ Whether the introduction of Christianity has been serviceable to the temporal interests of mankind: ” on this question, I read the following piece in favour of the affirmative: It is a subject of astonishment to me, that, at an...
34234th. (Adams Papers)
Employ’d great part of the day in collecting the theses. I have now as many as I shall want excepting five or six in fluxions which I cannot easily find, as I do not understand the doctrine enough for my own satisfaction: in the evening the sodality met at Mayo’s chamber, and play’d till 9. I was very much fatigued and retired to bed quite early. Timothy Fuller of Needham, Suffolk County, will...
34245th. (Adams Papers)
At eleven this forenoon, Mr. Williams gave us, the second, philosophical lecture: it was upon the incidental properties of matter, and excepting very few deviations, was expressed in the same terms with that we had last year upon the same subject: indeed, whether the professor’s time is taken up by other studies, or whether he is too indolent to make any improvements in his lectures, it is...
34256th. (Adams Papers)
We this day returned our books to the library. I went immediately after prayers to Mr. Wiggles worth’s; where I found only Mr. Ellery and Miss Peggy: I waited there a short time and went from thence to Mr. Williams’s, but did not find a soul at home. I spent a couple of hours in the evening with Sever at Mr. Gerry’s. Mrs. Gerry was quite unwell, so that we neither saw her nor her Sister....
34267th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams gave us this forenoon a lecture upon motion: the same which we heard a twelve month past; upon that subject. Fine weather. I have been this day chiefly employ’d in making preparations for exhibition. White brought me some things from Boston. Spent great part of the afternoon at Cranch’s chamber.
34278th. (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...
34289th. (Adams Papers)
This is the last week in which our Class attend recitations; and, this morning Mr. Burr gave us the last 30 pages of Burlamaqui for to-morrow morning. Preparing for exhibition; wrote a little. In the evening the two musical Societies met together in Putnam’s chamber, and perform’d the anthem. Not in the best manner possible. Thaddeus Mason Harris of Maiden, Middlesex, will be 19 the 7th. of...
342910th. (Adams Papers)
The weather in the morning was disagreeable, but cleared up, at about ten. Had company at my chamber. Major Cabot and his Lady, Miss Bromfield, Miss Thomson, and Miss Fayerweather, Miss Williams, and Miss Wigglesworth; Mr. Ellery, Mr. Ware, and Miss Andrews, with several of my Classmates. It was almost twelve before the president made his appearance, immediately after which the performances...
343011th. (Adams Papers)
I went down this morning to the president to know the determination of the Corporation with respect to a private Commencement; and was told that the petition of the Class was rejected: because they supposed that if public Commencements were lain aside, there would be no stimulus to study among the scholars: and they are afraid, that by granting our petition, they might establish a precedent...
343112th. (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...
343213th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. and Mrs. Gannett went away at about 11. this forenoon, and left their daughter here. I pass’d the greater part of the day again in strolling: I wrote however a little. I am much afflicted with the heart burn, and have always been in the vacations at Braintree, much more than at any other time.
343314th. (Adams Papers)
Spent the day very much like the two former. We have destroy’d almost all the birds within five miles about: I am reduced to neglect the improvement of the mind for the sake of the body. This is as dull and insignificant a manner of doing away a man’s life, as any that could possibly be invented.
343415th. (Adams Papers)
Went to meeting in the forenoon, and heard Mr. Wibird preach. That most pleasing part of his performances is his reading the psalms: I never heard any person read Poetry with so much propriety, and energy. He appears inspired at those times, though never in his own discourses. I did not go in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Gannett pass’d by in the afternoon, on their return to Cambridge. When...
343516th. (Adams Papers)
A very fine day. At about 10 this morning, the president and his Lady, Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard, Mr. Tucker and Mr. Ware, arrived here on their way to Sandwich. They breakfasted here, and proceeded forward, at about eleven. I was just mounting with my Classmate Vose when Foster and Lloyd came up, in company with Dr. Howard and Mr. Foster. They stopt to refresh their horses; we waited for them,...
343617th. (Adams Papers)
The whole company arrived here early this morning: we went up into the burying ground and saw the ruins of the first fort built by our ancestors in this part of the world. We found several ancient grave stones but none dated prior to the commencement of the present Century. Between 9 and 10 this morning the Cavalry set off; Mr. Ware, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Gannett, Mr. Whitman, Mr. Haven, Vose,...
343718th. (Adams Papers)
At about 11, this morning, we went from Mr. Freeman’s to the meeting house: it was much crowded: a number of anthems were sung by the People of the town, and the buxom beauties of the Cape, had collected together in one gallery. By twelve the young candidate made his appearance preceded by the gentlemen who were to consecrate him to the service of God: Mr. Hilliard began the ceremony with...
343819th. (Adams Papers)
Between 10 and 11 this morning I set off with Vose and Lloyd, and Clark, and arrived at Plymouth, before 2 in the afternoon. We found Sever and Henry Warren as soon as we arrived, and dined with them at a Mr. Russells; I paid a visit to Mrs. Thomas, and pass’d the afternoon at Warren’s chamber. We drank tea at Mr. Russell’s: he has two fine Sisters; one of them remarkably handsome. After tea...
343920th. (Adams Papers)
At nine this morning we left Plymouth, and proceeded with Sever, and Warren, to Kingston. They had been up the whole night, and we were upon the run, the greatest part of the two last nights; we were consequently very much worn out and fatigued. Just as we arrived at Mr. Sever’s in Kingston, we found the President and his Lady, going from there. We rambled about before and after dinner: and...
344021st. (Adams Papers)
Snow’d quite fast this morning, and the weather was very cold. Between 10 and 11 however we departed from Kingston, and arrived a little before two at Cushing’s tavern in Hingham, where we dined, after which we proceeded forward; I stopp’d at Dr. Tufts’s, where I found, my brothers and Cousin. At about Sunset I started again, and got home, just after dark. I then heard of a terrible fire,...
344122d. (Adams Papers)
Somewhat fatigued in consequence of my journey: for which reason, I did not go to meeting to hear Mr. Taft comment upon the scriptures. Was at the office, writing the greatest part of the day. Moses Taft, minister of the south precinct of Braintree (now Randolph) ( Sibley-Shipton, Harvard Graduates John Langdon Sibley and Clifford K. Shipton, Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard...
344223d. (Adams Papers)
Rambling about with my gun all the forenoon; but with little success: went and dined at my uncle Quincy’s and pass’d the afternoon there: when I return’d I found Mrs. Warren, had been at Mr. Cranch’s; with her Son. Weather very dry.
344324th. (Adams Papers)
Very warm this forenoon. After dinner, I had just set out with my aunt to go down to Mr. Beale’s in Dorchester, when we met Mrs. Williams, and her daughter in a Chaise; we returned, and about ten minutes after Mrs. Beale, and Miss Mayhew, with Ben and Miss Street, came in. Mrs. and Miss Williams propose passing the night here.
344425th. (Adams Papers)
The other young gentlemen, went off at about 8 o’clock: I waited about an hour longer, in order to accompany Mrs. Williams. Stopp’d about a quarter of an hour at Genl. Warren’s, and arrived at College before 12: found very few of the students arrived; pass’d the evening at Mr. Dana’s: he is still upon the recovery, but not very fast. Walter Hunnewell , will be 18 the 10th. of next August. His...
344526th. (Adams Papers)
The students return, slowly. Cranch went back to Braintree last night. Clark arrived from Plymouth, where he left Sever and Fiske. Rain’d almost all the forenoon, and cleared up at about dinner time. Joseph Jackson of Brookline was 19 the 27th. of last October. His countenance is of a brown inexpressive cast, and his face is as perfect a blank, as his mind. His eyes are black, and always in an...
344627th. (Adams Papers)
Went into the library, and took out one Volume of Wolff’s mathematics. Charles went to Boston: this evening Cranch returned from Braintree: we had a class meeting this evening, and voted to present a petition for a private Commencement to the overseers, who are to meet next Tuesday. I was desired, with Barron and Packard to draw up the petition. The meeting was adjourned to monday night....
344728th. (Adams Papers)
The Boston Scholars come up this evening, after entering their names at the buttery on Wednesday. I drew up the petition, this day, but it was little more than a repetition, of what has been said in those which were presented to the Corporation. Asa Johnson of Bolton, Worcester County, was 28 the 6th. of this month. He is the oldest person in the Class, and without possessing a superior...
344829th. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d in the forenoon, and Mr. Willard, brother to my Classmate, after dinner. Quite a young man; and his sermon was a proof of it. It was upon justice, temperance fortitude, godliness brotherly kindness, and charity: and not contemptible: his pronunciation however was not perfectly accurate, and there were some little improprieties in his language....
344930th. (Adams Papers)
Cranch and my Chum went to Boston this morning to see a pompous funeral of one Mr. Webb, who was grand master of the lodge of free-masons at Boston. We had a philosophical Lecture this forenoon, upon the central forces, with an explanation of some of the conic sections. After prayers this evening we had a class meeting. The petition to the overseers was read, and signed by those of the Class...
3450[May 1787] (Adams Papers)
It thundered this morning from seven to nine, with some rain. I went with Barron to Mr. Hilliard’s, and gave him the petition, which we desired him to deliver to the board of overseers. He told us we should not be so likely to succeed as we might if the Senate were to attend; they are detained by Boston by public affairs, as this is the last day on which the general Court propose to sit....