Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3

Tuesday. 22nd.

Thursday 24th.

Wednesday. 23rd. CFA

1829-09-23

Wednesday. 23rd. CFA
Wednesday. 23rd.

Morning after leaving Abby, I went down to the Office and sat reading Marshall a large portion of the time. As I become more regular I find myself better able to allot my time to my duties without obstructing or interfering with any. Mr. Hollis called upon me to tell me he had examined some of the repairs as required and made a report wishing me to go and see for myself with the Carpenter’s assistant whom I had required. I pointed out some time during tomorrow. Another person whose name I did not know called with a plate of the Meeting House at Quincy and to ask my opinion as to its Title. I was a little puzzled, for I felt modest about giving to it the proper name.1 Captain Willis Howes was the Master of a trading vessel between this and Alexandria and called to be paid the freight for certain boxes, which I paid. Mr. Carey sent a Man with Copies of my Father’s inscriptions to his Father and Mother, which I corrected and sent to Quincy.2

Dined with my Wife at P. Chardon Brooks’ where I was amused as I always am, for I calculate when there to do nothing but laugh. The strange originality of his character makes up for some defects in delicacy, and one is induced to smile at what could not strictly be approved. My dinner was a very pleasant one and as Abby staid until evening, I returned there to tea and remained there until near ten o’clock, listening and laughing for I seldom say much. They have been exceedingly kind to us and I feel much obliged to them, as I do not know that I please them—but I have heretofore said so much that I shall only go into needless repetition to continue. So we returned home.

1.

The “plate” was perhaps that made by Abel Bowen from the drawing James Kidder did of the new First Church building at Quincy, built according to 25JA’s directions and from his gift of a fund for its erection and the establishment of a classical school in Quincy. The building, dedicated 12 Nov. 1828, became known both as the “Stone Temple” and, perhaps more properly, as the “Adams Temple.” Bowen’s engraving is reproduced in this volume. See above, p. xi–xii; vol. 2:307; and Bemis, JQA , 2:111.

2.

Alpheus Carey to JQA, 23 Sept. (Adams Papers). On Carey and on JQA’s inscriptions for the marble monument to his parents, see vol. 2:399 and entry for 25 Oct., below.