Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1835-12-07
This is still cold weather. I went to the Office and was engaged in writing and Accounts. Despatched more of my Pamphlets which appear almost entirely forgotten—Although my father’s letter tells me it is known pretty well at Washington.1 There is some comfort in all these things. There is comfort that an effort to strangle my strength in it’s infancy should not entirely succeed.
Nothing new. Home, where I read the thirteenth Satire of Juvenal over again and was again impressed with it’s superior beauty and merit. Afternoon, read Levesque’s Account of Peter the first of Russia, but I ought to be doing something more. And was amused by a part of the Correspondance of Voltaire and Madame du Deffand.
Finished and despatched a letter to my father2—Cannot tell how he will receive it. There are some hints respecting his course which he may not like. Evening, I read to my Wife from whatever Novel she selects, this evening it was Beatrice by Mrs. Hofland.3 Afterwards, Coleridge’s translation of Schiller’s Wallenstein.
JQA reported at some length the favorable opinion of Levi Woodbury, the Secretary of the Treasury, upon CFA’s pamphlet (to CFA, 30 Nov., Adams Papers); he had also entered in his diary on the day (18 Nov.) of the interview with Woodbury: “He spoke of the Patronage Bill ... and of the Boston pamphlet in opposition to it, which he characterised as of great ability. I told him that I was not the author of it, and told him also who was. He said it had given him a new view of the subject, and quite conclusive against the Bill.”
Letter not found.
3 vols., London, 1829.