Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 4

Sunday. 8th.

Tuesday. 10th.

Monday. 9th. CFA

1831-05-09

Monday. 9th. CFA
Monday. 9th.

Morning clear with a cool air. After reading a due portion of Demosthenes as usual, I went to the Office and was busy in my usual occupations. In addition to these it was the day for passing the Ac-44count upon the Estate of Robert New, and as I hoped, for making a final settlement and distribution. But the Commissioners not yet having made their return I was disappointed in the latter object. I should think that some very material amendments might be made in the system of Probate Law—In diminishing the amount of charges that eat up the Estate and in accelerating the final settlement. Two or three interruptions on various accounts. Met T. B. Adams Jr. who has just arrived from the South. He has altered a little both in appearance and manners, and not for the better in either.1 I was glad to see him however. He left me to go and see my Wife.

In the afternoon, I continued my Review of the Oration for Sextius. All these which relate to the expulsion from Rome of himself have much the same tang. One by itself is eloquence. When they are read together there is too little variety. And the Vanity is not agreeable. Men never like to be reminded of a benefit by the person conferring it. In private life it is called ungenerous, why should it be a merit any where? Read Grimm. Horatio Brooks spent the night. The Spectator.

1.

LCA expressed her reactions more sharply and indicated that the unfavorable view was widely shared: “The Lieutenant is pleasant but a great Fop” (LCA to Mrs. JA2, 22 May); “Tom is an exquisite of the highest order and perfectly horrifies the rustics. He is horrified with every thing here and talks as if he had never known Quincy” (same to same, 12 June; both letters in Adams Papers).