Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2

25th. JQA

1788-05-25

25th. Adams, John Quincy
25th.

Mr. Webber preach'd here, for Mr. Andrews; and I was much pleased with his discourses. They were quite argumentative; and his manner of reasoning was such as shewed him to be an acute metaphysician. He has always had a peculiar attachment to mathematical studies; and has acquired great knowledge in that branch of Science, which has at the same time habituated him to a degree of precision in his reasoning, which few people possess. After meeting this afternoon Putnam called at my room, and urged me to go to Mr. Spring's, where it seems they were not contented with two Services, but were going upon a third. Putnam went I believe, rather from the motive of seeing certain young Ladies there, than from an excess of piety. But as I wished to write a Letter to W. Cranch, and as Mr. Parsons will go for Boston early to-morrow morning, I declined going with Putnam.

After writing my Letter1 I went and took a long walk quite alone the weather being very fine; and as I return'd I stopp'd an hour at Mrs. Hooper's. Thompson came in soon after me.

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We walk'd again, and as we were passing before Mr. Frazier's door, the young Ladies were standing there: we stopp'd, and went in. Mr. and Mrs. Frazier return'd home, a few minutes after; with Miss Phillips of Boston; a Lady whom I saw at Hingham last fall; who has play'd the coquette, for eight or ten years past, with a number of gentlemen, but who has now a prospect of being married shortly. We soon came away; Thompson pass'd an hour at my lodgings.

1.

Letter not found.

26th. JQA

1788-05-26

26th. Adams, John Quincy
26th.

In the afternoon, I took a walk with Thompson, to see Little. He has the small pox full, upon him at this time.1 We returned, and I pass'd the evening at Mrs. Emery's. Judge Greenleaf's daughters, and Miss Smith and Miss Wendell were there. The evening was not agreeable; there was too much ceremony and too little sociability: we conducted the Ladies home, and retired.

1.

JQA was inoculated in July 1776, along with his mother, sister, and brothers ( Adams Family Correspondence , 2:45–46).

27th. JQA

1788-05-27

27th. Adams, John Quincy
27th.

Mr. Jackson, sent one of his sons to inform me, that he heard last evening at Beverly, that Callahan had arrived, in Boston. The report I find is all over the Town; and I have received the congratulations of almost all my acquaintance here.

This evening, by means of an accident which was contrived in the morning a number of gentlemen and Ladies happened to meet, at Mr. Brown's house, where we danced till about twelve o'clock. The weather was rather too warm; otherwise the party was agreeable. We often changed partners. And as there were several more Ladies than gentlemen; one or two of the young misses, thought they were not sufficiently noticed, and so much mistook the intrinsic value and importance of their resentment, as to display it, in a manner, which raised an involuntary smile: involuntary I say; because no one surely could willingly smile at the resentment of a Lady. I escorted Miss Newell home; and then retired likewise, myself.

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