Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 1
1780-09-13
Half Holiday. To day at about twelve o clock we went to Pappa's lodgings and went from
thence with him to Mr. Le Roi's where we dined. After dinner Mr. Le Roi Pappa, Several other
Gentlemen, and brother Charles and myself went to the (Rasp huis) or house of correction.
There is there a man who is so strong that fifteen men could not take him and he broke some
Iron which was put round his arms. We saw several others some who got there for one thing
some for another; They are Judged once and a while and when there is a criminal the Judge
1780-09-14
Rain'd in the afternoon but clear'd up at night.
Reading a Volume of the Spectator I found a dream of his which I will copy.1
Here follows, on eight pages of the Diary, “Spectator Vol 2d. No. 83,” published on 5 June 1711, but omitted are the first two paragraphs of the piece (ed. Bond, 1:354–356).
1780-09-15
Nothing Remarkable to day.
Reading a Volume of the Tatler I found something which I will copy.1
On the following six and one-half pages in his Diary JQA set down an
allegory, with several omissions, about Hercules' being courted by virtue and pleasure,
from The Tatler No. 97, originally published on 22 Nov. 1709,
which he later cites as “Tatler. Vol. 2d. Page, 82, 83, 84, and 85.” If, as it seems
reasonable to assume, JQA was using the four-volume 1728 edition of The Tatler, which his father gave to him and CA
presumably on the following day (
Catalogue of JQA's Books
), the citation was
miscopied, as it appears there at 2:282–285.
1780-09-16
Half Holiday. Today about 1 o clock brother Charles and I came to Pappa's lodgings where we dined. After dinner Mr. Guild and Mr. Ingraham came here and went with us to see the Hortus Medicus1 of which I have spoken already. We walked about a little while and then we came home again, as we were coming we went into a Church and looked about it a little. When we got to Pappa's door Mr. Guild and Mr. Ingraham left us. At about 8 o clock Commodore Gillon came to Pappa's lodgings and stay'd some time. At about half after nine o clock Pappa received a Letter from Mr. Dana2 who has just arrived in Town. Pappa went to see Mr. Dana who Lodges at the first Bible.
JQA's marginal note here, “Vide Volume 2d. Page 11, and 36, 37, 38, 39,” refers to JQA's Diary entries of 25 Aug. and 5 Sept. (both above).
That of