Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1840-01-28
Snow. At home, distribution as usual. Evening, small party at Mrs. Ritchie’s.
I went down to the Office and employed myself much in matters of account. Since my departure various companies have made Dividends 367and these I immediately set about collecting and with the proceeds paying off a great number of the accounts that have been hanging on since New Year. My Journey has not even paid it’s way and my affairs scarcely look more encouragingly than they did. Mr. Johnson has not however drawn upon me.
Home to read Oedipus Coloneus. Afternoon commencing work upon my projected article. I find it will require much investigation. I must look up all the authorities and refresh my recollection with the history. If I make an antagonist, it will be necessary to be well armed.1
Evening to Mrs. Ritchie’s by invitation. A small party of about a hundred, one third of whom I knew. Tolerably pleasant. Home at eleven.
The author of the New York Review article had advanced the view that the contest in England in the 17th century “between Churchmen and Puritans was merely a political one, and not, as is usually represented, a religious one.” CFA’s article, undertaken to refute this position, would hold that it was mainly a religious conflict, made political only because religion at the time was a matter of political regulation.