AA

Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2

175 Saturday. 20th. CFA

1827-10-20

Saturday. 20th. CFA
Saturday. 20th.

Rode into Boston. The day was lovely and my spirits were calm and quiet. Occupied in writing to my Mother1 and in reading. But the three last days have been very much wasted. In the evening I sent for Richardson to pass the evening with me. Our conversation was a painful one. It turned first upon some slight he thought he had received from me which I was obliged to explain without effectually removing his suspicions. It then fell upon other subjects of a nature deeply affecting to me and calculated to act violently upon me. As such, I was in very low spirits when I went to bed.

1.

Letter missing.

Sunday. 21st. CFA

1827-10-21

Sunday. 21st. CFA
Sunday. 21st.

My sad reflections did not prevent my sleeping until near six o’clock this morning, after which I arose and occupied myself in reading until ten o’clock when I started to go to Medford. The day was chilly. Found Abby slightly unwell and asleep, in consequence of which I amused myself in reading the American Quarterly Review. Mr. Thayer, a young man in the Class before me at College,1 having officiated at the Meeting house, dined with Mr. Brooks. The rising of young men who were with me at College, around here, puts me strongly in mind of the advance in life which we are all making. Indeed it is striking to perceive the change which has occurred since I left Cambridge not yet a graduate. In the afternoon I sat with Abby, and in the evening Mrs. Tufts of Weymouth, of whom I have spoken once before, drank tea here. On the whole I believe I am now as happy as I ever shall be. My thoughts sometimes trouble me but I have nothing more serious and my hopes are gaining the upper hand. Besides I am in love and that is poetry itself.

1.

Christopher Toppan Thayer, Harvard 1824, graduated from the Divinity School in 1827.

Monday. 22d. CFA

1827-10-22

Monday. 22d. CFA
Monday. 22d.

Rode to town this morning. At the Office in the morning and afternoon, reading at home on account of the unpleasant weather. It rained violently at night. I attended the Moot Court and heard the cause argued which I was to decide. Richardson and Withington were both confused by a first attempt.1 After we had adjourned, the former of the two and I talked at the Exchange. Returned home in a violent rain.

1.

The case concerned the dower rights of a widow. John Hancock Richardson 176appeared for the plaintiff; O. H. Withington for the defendant. CFA’s ruling on the case is preserved in his Law Miscellanies (M/CFA/17, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 311).