Diary of John Adams, volume 1
1761-06-20
I have been interrupted from Reading this Institute ever since Feby. Amidst the Dissipations of Business, Pleasure, Conversation, Intrigue, Party &c. what mortal can give Attention to an old latin Institute of the Cannon Law? But it is certainly worth while to proceed and finish it, as I have already been 2/3 thro it.
This second entry so dated is from D/JA/4, JA’s desultory record of studies. The “Institute” here mentioned is Lancelotti’s compilation of canon law; see entries of 27 Jan., above, and 17 Oct., below.