Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1840-01-13
Snow and clouds. Distribution as usual. Evening to Edward Brooks.
The day was dark and gloomy and I felt somewhat with the weather. After my usual time in coins I went to the Office and devoted my time to filling up the arrears of Diary which last week had created. Received a letter from my mother giving encouraging accounts. Her letter is 357short but it gives me reason to believe that Louisa’s illness has been exceedingly serious.1 Thence to the Athenaeum.
Home to read Oedipus Coloneus, but what with my own children, my affairs and the accounts from Washington I was very much depressed. After dinner, The Townley Gallery in the publications of the Society for diffusing knowledge.2
Evening, went to Edward Brooks’. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton Russel there but nothing new. Talk of T. K. Davis who from all accounts is I am afraid decidedly deranged. Home and read Landor.
To the family in Washington, still distraught over the death of Georgeanna Frances, the illness of her sister Louisa had overwhelmed them by the “apparent similarity of the cases.” Louisa had suffered from “inflamation of the bowels and bladder,” severe pain, and high fever. However, “the doctor says the two cases differ and that at the present time all is favorable” (LCA to ABA, 9 Jan., Adams Papers). Later letters report convalescence and recovery (same to CFA, 21 Jan.; to ABA, 26 Jan., 20 Feb., all in Adams Papers).
The volumes on the Townley Gallery in the British Museum are in the Library of Entertaining Knowledge of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.