Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2

Tuesday. December 19th.<a xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" href="#DCA02d532n1" class="note" id="DCA02d532n1a">1</a> CFA

1826-12-19

Tuesday. December 19th. CFA
Tuesday. December 19th.1

John and I went out to dine at Mr. Pleasonton’s according to invita-94tion. A small dinner. The foreign Ministers, Mr. Clay, and a few members of both houses. It was pretty well. But I cannot bear to dine away from home. I have very little comfort in it and as to gratification derived from conversation, I find but little. After dinner we escorted Miss Matilda to Gen. Brown’s. She is a young lady entirely unique in her style. But more fit to be ranked among the prudes than any other class. But her style is almost disgusting from it’s sensual nature. Although very averse to committing herself directly, she looks at you in that way which a man easily understands. It is very happy for her that she is educated in so christian a community. Gen. Brown’s was hot, crowded and dull as usual, so I was very glad to get home.

1.

From D/CFA/5. CFA read Spenser and Voltaire and worked on the Executive Record earlier this day (D/CFA/1).

Wednesday 20th.<a xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" href="#DCA02d533n1" class="note" id="DCA02d533n1a">1</a> CFA

1826-12-20

Wednesday 20th. CFA
Wednesday 20th.1

A Drawing room at home. Crowded and much as Drawing rooms commonly are.

1.

CFA returned to Spenser and Voltaire in the morning (D/CFA/1).

Thursday 21st.<a xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" href="#DCA02d534n1" class="note" id="DCA02d534n1a">1</a> CFA

1826-12-21

Thursday 21st. CFA
Thursday 21st.1

A ball and Supper at Mr. Vaughan’s. I don’t know what got into me but I resolved to stay it out. And it was near twelve o’clock before I came home. Not that the ball was very extraordinarily agreeable but that I was in the whim. Saw Wyer. Have I mentioned him before? What a queer genial Paul Pry in real life. A most diverting animal when one is entirely at leisure to hear him. But sometimes a little of a bore. Not so this night however.2

1.

In the morning CFA read Voltaire and Spenser and visited T. Clay, probably Thomas H. Clay, son of the Secretary of State (D/CFA/1).

2.

Edward Wyer was noted for his love of gossip (E. F. Ellet, The Court Circles of the Republic, Hartford, 1869, p. 129).

22. IX:40.<a xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" href="#DCA02d535n1" class="note" id="DCA02d535n1a">1</a> CFA

1826-12-22

22. IX:40. CFA
22. IX:40.1

Morning at home, fatigued and stupid, Spenser, ride, evening with the family.

1.

From D/CFA/1.

23. VIII:25. CFA

1826-12-23

23. VIII:25. CFA
23. VIII:25.

Morning at home, unwell, depressed, Voltaire, Spenser, ride with John, evening with the family.

95