Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2
1829-04-13
Day rather cold for this month but I had a pleasant ride into town from Medford. The roads are becoming better. Morning at the Office. Richardson called and paid me a visit of some length.
George received a letter from Washington asking him to go on and accompany them home.1 He is in such a state of mind, I think it is as well that he should do that as any thing. I cannot help pitying the miserable weakness of his character while I regret it. He has of late rather avoided my society as I neither participate in his griefs which are the result of culpable indolence, nor can sanction the results which it brings him to. This invitation I presume to be the result of a statement in one of my own letters to my Mother some days ago.2 He is undecided as usual.
Read Blackstone. Returned to my boarding house with much gratification. Found the family still out of order but my room was to me a consideration of much pleasure. Afternoon, Say, not interesting nor deep. Evening, Commenced reading over the Spectator with which I was pleased.
LCA wrote: “I . . . write . . . my Dear George to beg . . . that you will . . . come on here to escort your father and myself on our way home. You know that we are neither of us famous travellers and your assistance for me will be absolutely necessary” (LCA to GWA, 8 April 1829, Adams Papers).
For some time CFA had been telling his mother of GWA’s indolence and aimlessness. On 4 April he suggested that his parents’ early return to Quincy 366would “be of great service to George .... He wants bracing and enlivening. His entire seclusion from society . . . and his want of occupation produce a listlessness peculiarly oppressive. He complains of dejection, low spirits, and inability to occupy himself, and this acts upon reflections of a melancholy kind in regard to Father and himself” (CFA to LCA, 4 April 1829, Adams Papers).