961[April 1778] (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. J. C. Champagne, negociant and Courtier de Marine, at Blaye, came on board, to make a Visit and pay his Compliments. He says, that of the first Grouths of Wine, in the Province of Guienne, there are four Sorts, Chateau Margeaux, Hautbrion, La Fitte, and Latour. This Morning I took Leave of the Ship, and went up to Town with my Son, and servant, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Jesse, and Dr....
9621778 April 1. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. J. C. Champagne, negociant and Courtier de Marine, at Blaye, came on board, to make a Visit and pay his Compliments. He says, that of the first Grouths of Wine, in the Province of Guienne, there are four Sorts, Chateau Margeaux, Hautbrion, La Fitte, and Latour. This Morning I took Leave of the Ship, and went up to Town with my Son, and servant, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Jesse, and Dr....
9631778 April 2. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Walked round the Town, to see the Chamber and Council of Commerce, the Parliament which was sitting, where We heard the Council. Then We went round to the Ship Yards &c. Made many Visits—dined at the Hotel D’Angleterre. Visited the Customhouse, the Post office—visited the Commandant of the Chateau Trompette, a Work of Vaubans—visited the Premiere President of the Parliament of Bourdeaux. Went...
964April 3. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Waited on the Intendant, dined at Mr. Bondfields and supped at Mr. Le Texiers.—Our Company, on Thursday Evening, at Mr. Basmarains were—The Count of Virelade the Son of the Premiere President, Le Moine first Commissary of the Navy, Le Moine the Son, Commissary of the Navy, Cornie, Captain of a Frigate, Knight of St. Lewis, Jn. Bt. Nairac former Deputy of Commerce from La Rochelle, Paul Nairac,...
9651778 April 4. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
About 10 O Clock We commenced our Journey to Paris, and went about 50 miles.
966April 5. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Proceeded on our Journey, more than 100 Miles.
967April 6. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Arrived at Poictiers, the City so famous, for the Battle which was fought here. It is a beautifull situation and the Cultivation of the Plains about it is exquisite. The Houses are old and poor and the Streets very narrow. Afternoon passed thro Chatelerault, another City, nearly as large as Poictiers, and as old, and the Streets as narrow. When We stopped at the Post to change our Horses,...
9681778. April 7. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Travelled from Les Ormes, the splendid Seat of the Marquis D’Argenson, to Mer. We went through Tours, and Amboise, and several other smaller Villages. Tours is the most elegant Place We have yet seen. It stands upon the River Loire, which empties itself at Nantes. We rode upon a Causey, made in the River Loire, for a great Number of Miles. The Meadows and River Banks were extremely beautifull.
969April 8. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Rode through Orleans, &c. and arrived at Paris, about 9 O Clock. For 30 Miles from Paris or more the Road is paved, and the Scaenes extreamly beautifull. At Paris We went to several Hotels which were full—particularly the Hotell D’Artois, and the Hotell Bayonne. Then We were advised to the Hotell de Valois, where We found entertainment. But We could not have it without taking all the Chambers...
9701778 April 9. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning the Bells, and Carriages, and various Cries in the Street make Noise enough, yet the City was very still last Night towards the Morning. Le Hotell de Valois, en Rue de Richlieu, is the Name of the House and Street where I now am. Went to Passy, in a Coach, with Dr. Noel, and my Son. Dr. Franklin presented to me the Compliments of Mr. Turgot, lately Comptroller of the Finances, and...
971April 10. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Monsr. Brillon’s, with many Ladies and Gentlemen... Madam Brillon is a Beauty, and a great Mistress of Music, as are her two little Daughters... The Dinner was Luxury as usual—a Cake was brought in, with 3 Flaggs, flying. On one, Pride subdued—on another, Haec Dies, in qua fit Congressus, exultemus et potemus in ea. Supped in the Evening, at Mr. Chamonts. In the evening 2 Gentlemen...
972April 11. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, with Dr. Franklin and Mr. Lee—waited on the Count De Vergennes, the Secretary of foreign Affairs—was politely received.—He hoped I should stay long enough to learn French perfectly—assured me, that every Thing should be done to make France agreable to me—hoped the Treaty would be agreable, and the Alliance lasting.—I told him I thought the Treaty liberal, and generous—and...
9731778 April 12. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
The Attention to me, which has been shewn, from my first Landing in France, at Bourdeaux, by the People in Authority of all Ranks and by the principal Merchants, and since my Arrival in Paris by the Ministers of State, and others of the first Consideration has been very remarkable, and bodes well to our Country. It shews in what Estimation the new Alliance with America is held. On Fryday last,...
9741778. Monday. April 13. (Adams Papers)
This Morning the Dutchess Dayen, and M. le Marquise De Fayette, came to visit me, and enquire after the Marquise Marquis . Went to Versailles, was introduced, to the Levee of Mr. de Sartine, the Minister. A vast Number of Gentlemen were attending in one Room after another, and We found the Minister at last, entrenched as deep as We had formerly seen the Count Maurepas. The Minister politely...
975Avril 14. Mardi. (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Morning sent for the Master of the Accademy in this Place, who came and shewed me his Conditions. He agreed to take my Son: who accordingly packed up his Things and went to School, much pleased with his Prospect because he understood that Rewards were given to the best Schollars, which he said was an Encouragement. Dancing, Fencing, Musick, and Drawing, are taught at this School, as...
976Avril 15. Mecredi. (Adams Papers)
Went Yesterday to return the Visits, made me by American Gentlemen. Dined this Day, with Madam Helvetius, one Gentleman, one Lady, Dr. F., his G. Son and myself made the Company—an elegant Dinner. Mm. is a Widow—her Husband was a Man of Learning and wrote several Books. She has erected a Monument to her Husband, a Model of which she has. It is herself, weeping over his Tomb, with this...
977April 16. Jeudi. (Adams Papers)
Dr. F. is reported to speak French very well, but I find upon attending to him that he does not speak it Grammatically, and indeed upon enquiring, he confesses that he is wholly inattentive to the Grammar. His Pronunciation too, upon which the French Gentlemen and Ladies compliment him, and which he seems to think is pretty well, I am sure is very far from being exact. Indeed Dr. Franklin’s...
978April 17. Vendredi. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home with Company—Mr. Platt and his Lady—Mr. Amiel and his Lady—Mr. Austin—Mr. Alexander &c. After Dinner, went to the long Champ, where all the Carriages in Paris were paraded which it seems is a Custom on good Fryday. See, further, JA ’s Autobiography under the present date .
9791778 April 18. Samedi. (Adams Papers)
This Morning the Father of General Conway came to visit me, and enquire after his Son as well as American Affairs. He seems a venerable Personage. Dined at Mr. Bouffets, who speaks a little English. Mr. Bouffetts Brother, Mr. Veillard, M. Le Fevre, L’Abbe des Prades, Mr. Borry, &c. were there. Called and drank Tea at Mm. Brillons. Then made a Visit to M. Boullainvilliers, and his Lady, who is...
980Ap. 19. Dimanche. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home, with Mr. Grand our Banker, his Lady, Daughter and Sons, Mr. Austin, Mr. Chaumont, and a great deal of other Company. Mr. David Hartley, a Member of the B ritish House of Commons came to visit Dr. F., a Mr. Hammond with him. Went with Mr. Chaumont in his Carriage to the Concert Spirituel. A vast Croud of Company of both Sexes, a great Number of Instruments. A Gentleman sung and...
981Ap. 20. Lundi. (Adams Papers)
My Son has been with me since Saturday.—The Concert Spirituel is in the Royal Garden, where was an infinite Number of Gentlemen and Ladies walking. Dined with the Dutchess D’Anville, at her House with her Daughter and Granddaughter, Dukes, Abbotts, &c. &c. &c. Visited Mr. Lloyd and his Lady, where We saw Mr. Digges. Including the philosopher Condorcet; see JA ’s Autobiography under this date ....
9821778 April 21. Mardi. (Adams Papers)
Dined, this Day, at Mr. Chaumonts, with the largest Collection of great Company that I have yet seen. The Marquis D Argenson, the Count De Noailles, the Marshall de Maillebois, the Brother of the Count de Vergennes, and a great many others, Mr. Foucault and Mm., Mr. Chaumonts Son in Law and Daughter, who has a Fortune of 4 or 5000£ st. in St. Domingo, Mr. Chaumonts own Son and Miss Chaumont....
9831778. Ap. 22. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home and spent the day with Mr. Lee.
984Ap. 23. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home with Company.
985Ap. 24. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Buffauts, with much Company.
986Ap. 25. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Chaumonts with Company.
987Sunday [26 April]. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home.
988Monday. 27. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Boulainvilliers, at his House in Passi, with Generals and Bishops and Ladies &c—In the Evening went to the French Comedy, and happened to be placed in the first Box, very near to the celebrated Voltaire who attended the Performance of his own Alzire. Between the Acts the Audience called out Voltaire and clapped and applauded him, the whole Time. The old Poet arose and bowed...
9891778. Avril Vingt-Huit. Mardi. (Adams Papers)
Dejeunois, chez nous, avec Messrs. Chaumont, Dubourg, Chaumont le jeune, Franklin, Grandpere et Grandfils. M. Dubourg disoit un Conte, touchant, C. Mazarine. Un Officier demandoit, de lui, de le faire un Capitaine, d’une Guarde de son sa Vie. Le Card, repondoit, qu’il n’avoit pas Besoin d’autre Guarde que de son Ange tutelaire.—Ah Monsr. dit rofficier—on, le poussera, avec, un peu de l’au...
990Avril Vingt Neuf. Mercredi. (Adams Papers)
J’ai bien dormi, le derniere Soir. J’avois diné chez Le Marrechal De Maillebois avec Baucoup du Monde. Apres diner, went to the Accademy of Sciences and heard Mr. D’Alembert pronounce Eulogies upon divers Members deceased. On this occasion occurred the famous encounter—and embrace—between Voltaire and Franklin, described more fully in JA ’s Autobiography under this date . Voltaire, who was 84,...