Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 4
1832-11-24
I sent this morning three numbers to the Editor of the Advocate, for publication.1 The success of my writing has been so indifferent that I always regard it as rather a favour that the pieces see the light. If ever I had any pride of authorship, it has been pretty effectually humbled. Yet I feel as if my style was not without power and that it ought to take better. Perseverance may effect what my amount of skill cannot.
405At the Office working upon Lingard with assiduity. The day was half and half. Took my walk notwithstanding. Afternoon, working upon No. 4. I have got into a train and must not break out of it.
Evening quiet at home, reading with my Wife. Undine is a pretty little thing. Afterwards, began upon Follen’s German Grammar which seems to be composed of more simple elements.2 But after all a man learns more by translating five sentences of a book than by reading twenty Grammars. Began reading the World. A periodical Essay though not belonging to my set of the Classics.3 I pursue in this, the same method that has carried me so quietly and easily through all the others.
Publication of CFA’s series of antimasonic articles in the Boston Daily Advocate, the organ of the antimasonic movement, began on 5 December. See below, entries for 6, 8, and 11 Dec.; Duberman, CFA
, p. 47.
In the years since Charles Theodore Christian Follen began to teach the German language and literature at Harvard in 1825 (see above, vol. 3:22) he had brought out several textbooks in the language.
The World, an essay-periodical by Edward Moore, was published at London during the years 1753–1756. It was included in some editions of the British Classics and of Chalmers’ British Essayists.