Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2

2d. JQA

1786-06-02

2d. Adams, John Quincy
2d.

We had another Lecture from Mr. Williams to day, with an explanation of the different optical Instruments, that are most commonly made use of. But there was such, a flocking to see 45through the microscope, and the magic Lantern, and the camera obscura, that something got broke, and Mr. Williams, shew nothing more after it. Weather very warm, several of us, bath'd in the River this afternoon.

3d. JQA

1786-06-03

3d. Adams, John Quincy
3d.

We had a Lecture this morning upon Electricity; we received two small shocks, which however, gave me such a stroke in the joints at my elbows that I could not write after it; The weather very warm indeed. Fahrenheits' thermometer I am told was at 87: 80 is the common summer heat. We did not recite in Doddridge, this morning.

4th. JQA

1786-06-04

4th. Adams, John Quincy
4th.

Attended meeting all day. It was very uncomfortable, the weather being so warm, and we are crowded there so thick. The Parson for our Comfort was very short. In the forenoon he preach'd from I Ep: John V. 11. And this is the record, That God, hath given to us eternal Life, and this Life is in his Son, and in the afternoon from, I Corinthians VII. 31. And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

5th. JQA

1786-06-05

5th. Adams, John Quincy
5th.

We had a Lecture from Mr. Williams, concerning heat, proper Lecture for the weather. Je fus le soir à l'assemblée de nôtre petite Societé,1 ou nous eûmes, Burge, Chandler, Harris, et moi une petite dispute impromptue, sur la Question, si l'Europe est plus favorable au genie que l'amerique. Moi, je soutins, le contraire, et je le soutiendrai toujours. Après avoir fait quelques autres petites affaires, chacun se retira.

1.

The A.B. Club. See entry for 29 May (above).

6th. JQA

1786-06-06

6th. Adams, John Quincy
6th.

Mr. Williams gave us another Lecture upon heat; and introduced a new System of his own. But the heat being increased in the Chamber, by a small fire, which was necessary for making the experiments, and by the breath of an hundred Persons, as-46sembled in it, became almost insupportable, Thompson fainted completely, and was carried away to his chamber.