John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

13th: The storm continued violent through the whole day. the rain pour’d down, with as much force, as if there had not fallen a drop before. I felt dizzy in the head, and therefore did not attend meeting: in the evening at half past eight we met by adjournment from last night, at Fiske’s chamber; we finally concluded, the business which we met upon by the expulsion of the person, who had betray’d the Society; after which we returned all to our Chambers.

James Lovell 1of Weymouth, Suffolk C. was 19. the 1st: of January last. It would be almost impossible to trace, the sources of this person’s principles of action: it might perhaps be said with truth that he has none: his natural abilities appear to be good, but they have never been improved by much cultivation: his education before he came to this university was not brilliant, and he now exhibits the mingled qualities of a buck and a clown. his passions rule him, with unrestrained sway; yet his mind is so pliant that it is easily directed by any kind of reasoning: such a disposition cannot be perfectly amiable: and accordingly 239ly he has lived with five different Chums, since his admission to College: and, if he had to remain here any longer, he would certainly change again at Commencement. he might make a good military officer; but I believe he will never shine very conspicuous, in any other capacity.