372117th. (Adams Papers)
Putnam called at our office this forenoon, and return’d Sullivan’s Lectures, which he borrow’d about a fortnight ago. I pass’d the evening till 9, with Little and Putnam at Thompson’s. We convers’d upon the subject of originality. Thompson opposed my sentiments upon that head, though, I believe he does not differ very widely from me. I told him I was fond of novelty in characters, and was even...
372218th. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon I wrote a couple of letters to send by Mr. Atkins, who goes to Boston to’morrow. One for N. Freeman, and the other from for Wm. Cranch, and as I could not finish before dark, I ventured to stay in the office till seven o’clock. I then went with Townsend, to Mr. Atkins’s, to give him the letters: Miss Dashwood was there: a young Lady from Boston. She speaks thick, and quick,...
372319th. (Adams Papers)
At home all the evening. Master Moody, called to see me; “Don’t you think said he, that I am very condescending, thus to come and visit you.” It might be very true, considering the dignity which his years have given him: but the address was very much that of a schoolmaster, whose habits of commanding give him a prescriptive title to importance. He sat with me about an hour, and then departed....
372420th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at Parson Carey’s meeting. We had two Sermons, in continuation of a subject upon which he preached last Sunday; the excellency of Christianity. I pass’d the whole evening in writing very industriously; not a little to the increase of this volume. It thaw’d all last night, but not so as to carry off all the snow. The streets, were like a river the chief of the day, but at about five...
372521st. (Adams Papers)
I began upon the third book of the first part of the Institutes and read a few pages as usual. In the evening I again look’d into Gibbon, and made some progress in his second volume. I have also been reading for these two or three days past, the letters from a Chinese philosopher; which are a number of essays upon various subjects, wrought into a kind of a novel: they are entertaining, and...
372622d. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon, Leonard White called on me; and sat about half an hour. He came from Haverhill, this morning, and returns to night. Between four and five I received an invitation from Putnam, and F. Bradbury, to join them for a party at sleighing. Though not particularly desirous to go I did not refuse; and at about 6 o’clock we started. We went to Sawyer’s tavern, about three miles off, and...
372723d. (Adams Papers)
I took a violent cold by our party last night, and as I felt rather unwell, and extremely indolent; I did nothing at the office. Amory very unwell with a cholic, to the great affliction of Miss F. I suppose. I pass’d the evening at Dr. Swett’s. Mrs. and Miss Cazneau were there. We had some agreeable, and entertaining conversation, but singing soon came on to the Carpet, and then the usual...
372824th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Atkins returned from Boston, but brought me no letters which is somewhat surprizing to me. The quaternity pass’d the evening at Putnam’s lodging’s. Little left us however at about 8 o’clock. Townsend came in soon after, and between 9 and 10, I walk’d with him. I began yesterday upon another attempt, to ascend Parnassus; and this time I am determined to take it leisurely. I have frequently...
372925th. (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.
373026th. (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...