Browsing: Diary of John Quincy Adams, Volume 2

We heard Mr. Evans preach, all day: he attempted to be quite pathetic in the afternoon; but when art is seen through it must be disgusting; and when a person appears deeply affected upon a subject, which cannot be very interesting, we must conclude, that he grieves for the pleasure of grieving.

This night I watch'd at Mr. Dana's. I read a couple of novels in the course of the night; both of them perfectly insipid.