871[July 1788] (Adams Papers)
It was nine o’clock before I could get away from Braintree this morning, and I arrived at the Colleges just before the exhibition began. A Latin Oration was spoken by Kirkland and was very well. The Forensic between Palmer and Waterman was tolerable, but I forget the subject. The english Dialogue between Thacher and Gray was well spoken, but rather stiff. The greek Dialogue between the...
872Tuesday July 1st. 1788. (Adams Papers)
It was nine o’clock before I could get away from Braintree this morning, and I arrived at the Colleges just before the exhibition began. A Latin Oration was spoken by Kirkland and was very well. The Forensic between Palmer and Waterman was tolerable, but I forget the subject. The english Dialogue between Thacher and Gray was well spoken, but rather stiff. The greek Dialogue between the...
8732d. (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.
8743d. (Adams Papers)
Between nine and ten I went with my father from Braintree. We got into Cambridge at about twelve. After stopping a few minutes at College, we first went down and called upon Judge Trowbridge: He is very old; and although active for his years, yet the depradations of time are conspicuous upon him. We dined at Mr. Dana’s. Mr. and Mrs. Channing from Rhode Island, were there; they are agreeable....
8754th. (Adams Papers)
We left Cambridge by nine o’clock, and got into Boston in the midst of the bustle. We went immediately to Bracken’s tavern. After dressing, I walk’d out; and met with a number of my very good friends. At about eleven we went to the old South meeting house, and heard Mr. Otis deliver an Oration. The composition and the delivery were much superior even to my expectations, which were somewhat...
8765th. (Adams Papers)
We called this morning at Dr. Welch’s, and at Mr. Guild’s; but left town at about ten o’clock: It was almost one when we got to Braintree. I amused myself as I could in the afternoon: Mrs. Warren, with her son Harry stop’d here this night on their way to Plymouth; to which place General Warren has removed back, after living about eight years at Milton. He was formerly a very popular man, but...
8776th. (Adams Papers)
The weather was rather disagreeable in the morning, and Mrs. Warren was disposed to stay and pass the Sunday with us. But her Son was so anxious to get home, that she finally determined to go; and they went away at about nine. I attended at meeting, and heard Parson Wibird dose over a couple of Sermons. There is none of my time that I regret more than that I spend in hearing him: were it not...
8787th. (Adams Papers)
W. Cranch went to Boston this morning; and I suppose, I shall have but very little of his company for the Future, as he is to be fixed henceforth for some time to his office. I amused myself as I have done for several days past, in diverse manners. In the evening my two brothers arrived from Cambridge; having obtained leave to be absent till friday when the scholars will all be dismiss’d.
8798th. (Adams Papers)
I past the greater part of the day in gunning, with my brothers. The weather was as it has been for several days past extremely warm; and the fruits of the earth at present greatly require heat. “Shooting robins” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
8809th. (Adams Papers)
Doctor Leonard came here in the morning: this gentleman came as a passenger with Callahan. He underwent a violent prosecution two or three years ago in England, for endeavouring to come to America with some models of manufacturing machines. But after being two years in prison he was released and immediately resumed his original intentions; but he is now come over without his models; and he...
88110th. (Adams Papers)
George Warren came over from Milton this forenoon, and paid us a visit. He opened an office in Milton last winter, and has done as much business, as a lawyer generally does for the first six months after he begins; but the prospects are far from being encouraging. When I am in spirits this circumstance strikes me only as an incentive to more strenuous exertions: and at such times I feel such a...
88211th. (Adams Papers)
This day completes my twenty first year; It emancipates me from the yoke of paternal authority which I never felt, and places me upon my own feet, which have not strength enough to support me. I continue therefore still in a state of dependence. One third of the period of my professional studies has also now elapsed; and two years more will settle me, should life and health continue; in a...
88312th. (Adams Papers)
In the diverse amusements of reading, of shooting birds, and playing upon our flutes we past the present day. The weather is and has for a fortnight past been such that fatiguing occupations cannot be attended to: I read very little; and that of a light kind which does not greatly engage the mind; and as for writing, I have so much abandoned it that I have not written three pages since I left...
88413th. (Adams Papers)
Weather still extremely warm. I heard Parson Wibird. Mr. Q. Thaxter was at meeting in the forenoon; and went and dined with us. In the afternoon, Madam, went down to my Uncle Quincy’s, and I drank tea with my brothers at my Uncle Adams’s. And we bath’d at the creek in the evening. JQA notes, in his line-a-day entry, “Parson Wibird all day,” presumably referring to his attendance at meeting in...
88514th. (Adams Papers)
Ben Beale came from Taunton this morning; he did not stop, but promised to come and see us ere long. When I came in from shooting, which still continues to be my sport and my occupation, I found a Parson West here, an old gentleman, who was three years in college with my father, and at that time very intimate with him. He is very sociable and very sensible. He spent the day here, and passes...
88615th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. West went away this morning; My Father and my brother Charles, went to Boston; whence they will proceed tomorrow to Cambridge. Beale came here this forenoon, and took a dinner with us. He is studying law, with Mr. Barnes at Taunton, but spends much of his time at home. Mr. Wibird pass’d the afternoon and evening here. Dr. Tufts called here on his way to Boston, and my brother Tom went to...
88716th. (Adams Papers)
Commencement day. I mounted my horse, somewhat early, and arrived at Cambridge by nine o’clock. The first Salutation I received as I was going into the College yard was “repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” It was a crazy man; but without any great share of enthusiasm, for that sentence was the only thing he said; and he repeated it every two or three minutes during the whole...
88817th. (Adams Papers)
The young gentlemen who graduated yesterday were. Benjamin Abbot Solomon Adams Thomas Adams Thomas Bancroft Oliver Barron Stephen Baxter Joseph Brigham Joseph Cabot George Caryl Edward Clarke Oliver Dodge James Gardner Adam Gordon William Hill Charles Jackson Abner Lincoln Henry Phelps John Phillips James Prescott
88918th. (Adams Papers)
Upon the warmest day we have had this Summer I was obliged to go to Boston, upon a hard trotting horse; with the Sun blazing in my face all the way. I do not know that I ever suffered more, from the heat. And when I got into Boston I was obliged to bustle about almost all the day. I had to call three times at Mr. Green’s Store before I could get the payment for a bill of exchange, which I...
89019th. (Adams Papers)
I was considerably fatigued by my jaunt of yesterday, but made out however to read something, in the course of the day; and in the slow progress which I have made since I came to Braintree, I have at length got through the volume of Doctor Priestley upon history and general policy, which I take to be an excellent work; I shall take as early an opportunity as possible to peruse it again.
89120th. (Adams Papers)
I tarried at home this forenoon, in order to write a Letter to my Sister. In the afternoon I attended at meeting. Went up to Mr. Cranch’s after meeting and pass’d an hour there. I took my leave of them, and went home to prepare for returning to Newbury-Port. I know not that I ever left Braintree with so much regret. I have past my time most agreeably here these five weeks, and have had almost...
89221st. (Adams Papers)
This morning I left Braintree in company with my brother Tom, who was going to Haverhill; and in order to have company, so great a part of the way, I determined to go there with him. We stopp’d a short time at Cambridge, and I went to Dr. Rand’s to take a Letter from Miss Newhall, as I had promised her at Commencement. She was gone out but had left the Letter. We dined in Wilmington, and got...
89322d. (Adams Papers)
I went to see Leonard White this forenoon. His father has been unwell for some days past. His complaints are of a lethargic nature, and his habit is such, that such disorders must probably prove in the end fatal to him. He now sleeps as much as half his time, and is consequently half dead. I went to see Mrs. Bartlett, and saw Mr. S. Blodget there: his brother Caleb, and young Mr. Breck I met...
89423d. (Adams Papers)
I had almost promised Mr. Thaxter to wait till the afternoon; but as there was an appearance of a probability that the weather would be disagreeable, I thought it would be safest to come home before dinner. My Brother Tom, rode with me about four miles to the ferry. I got to my lodgings between twelve and one. I called at Dr. Kilham’s shop: and there received an invitation from Mr. Marquand to...
89524th. (Adams Papers)
I returned, and once more took my seat in the office: but did little this forenoon. Thompson was unwell, and did not attend. I went with Putnam to club at Little’s; there were only three of us. Thompson being indisposed, and Stacey out of town. I was this day inform’d that Pickman has lain aside all thoughts of practising Law, and has already opened a Store in Boston. The determination was...
89625th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews came to town last night, and called to see us at the office this forenoon. They have engaged him to preach here at Mr. Carey’s for six Sundays and will probably employ him longer still. I returned this day to Bacon’s pleas and pleading, which I left when I went to Braintree. But could not proceed with great advantage, as I left my extract book, in a small trunk which was to come...
89726th. (Adams Papers)
I went to pay a visit to Mrs. Hooper: but disappointed her by having no news from her son Jo, who is now with Mr. Townsend. Took a long walk quite alone. We have a new boarder at my lodgings; a Mr. Romain, a frenchman; who came, a few days after I went from here last. I have not seen him yet: as he went on a fishing party the day that I came home; and is not yet returned.
89827th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews preached for us this day; and was somewhat longer than usual to the great satisfaction of some people who cannot easily be contented. Mr. Spring, and Mr. Murray, both had a third meeting in the evening; it was occasional at Mr. Murray’s, but Mr. Spring is determined henceforth to make a practice of giving a lecture on Sundays; besides, one in the evening, on Thursdays. As Mr....
89928th. (Adams Papers)
I finished reading Bacon’s pleas and pleading: but the subject is so knotty that I must at some future period, read this over once or twice more. I began a third time upon Blackstone, a book which a lawyer cannot possibly read too much. In the evening I walk’d into Newbury with Stacey. I have been engaged for some days upon a matter which takes all my leisure time: it is in writing a piece for...
90029th. (Adams Papers)
After spending the day as usual, I walk’d with Stacey and Putnam. After going some way into Newbury we return’d, and walk’d upon a sort of a terrass in high Street. We there saw a number of young Ladies who seemed to expect to be accosted; and some of whom finally sat down on the grass, perhaps to see if that would not call our attention to them; but we were really inexorable: notwithstanding...