17 December 1815
adams-john10 Neal Millikan
361

17. VI:15. I have hitherto not ventured to write by candle-light; so that my progress in retrieving the arrears of this Journal has been slower than I had expected and intended. I have indeed for these three weeks generally risen an hour or more before day-light, but it has been employed in hearing George read; and as soon as the dusk of Evening came on I was again obliged to lay aside my pen— As my eyes however gradually recover strength, and I recover the freer use of my hand I find myself able to write more; and this morning I began to Journalize by Candle-light, and on returning from my walk before dinner, wrote again from five until six O’Clock— As the record of each day becomes more prolix as I gain upon the arrears, unless I could write more than I have yet effected, I should soon cease to gain upon the arrears at all.— I went to Church this morning with George. The prayers were read, and the Sermon delivered by Dr Bond; a Clergyman who resides and keeps a small School at Hanwell. It was the best written Discourse that I ever heard from the Pulpit in England. His text was taken from the Lesson of the day; which is the third Sunday in Advent—the subject was the duties of a Christian Preacher, and those of his hearers in relation to him— It was eloquent and pathetic. His delivery was good, but had rather more of the theatrical manner of speaking than is agreeable to me— Mr J. A. Smith came out from London, and George’s School-mates John Newman, the Captain of the School, and Watson, dined with us— They returned immediately after dinner, and Mrs Adams, with Mr Smith and George went and passed the Evening at Dr Nicholas’s— I had retired to bed long before they returned home.

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