Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-09-28
Morning fine. Arose early and devoted an hour to pursuing the Catalogue of my books at my House. Thence to the Office where I had several people inquiring about the Estate of Mr. New which is to be sold next week. Took a long walk myself to the Wharf of Mr. S. Child to obtain some Wood for the Winter.1 The price of this Article has also fallen probably in consequence of the cheapness of Coal, so that my fuel will not cost me quite so much as it did last year. I hope to manage a little more discreetly it’s use also.
Returned to the Office and then paid a visit to Mr. Krehmer, so that the morning was very much cut up. What was left at my disposal was devoted to Hutchinson which I do not read quite as attentively as I ought. After dinner, I sent for a conveyance and went with Mr. Krehmer to Quincy. We found the family all quite well excepting Louisa2 who has a cold and sore throat.
No opportunity for Conversation of any kind excepting a few words with my Mother about the project of electing my father to Congress from Plymouth district which I regret exceedingly.3 My father is a singular man. He wants the profound wisdom which gives knowledge it’s highest lustre, he is not proof against the temporary seductions of popular distinction to resist which is the most solid 329evidence of greatness. Yet if he is not in character like Washington, he is a very extraordinary man for the times we live in. Returned by Moonlight, and Mr. E. Quincy paid us a short visit afterwards.
The wood wharf of Stephen Child Jr. was on Front Street (
Boston Directory, 1830–1831).
That is, Mary Louisa Adams, aged two, the older of JA2’s daughters.
In the interim since the idea was first advanced (above, entry for 16 Sept.) JQA received calls from a number of supporters who sought his assurance that if the National Republicans of the district nominated him, he would accept the nomination. These visitors included Joseph Richardson, the incumbent not standing for reelection; John Bailey, the representative in Congress from Norfolk; John Brazer Davis; Deacon Daniel Spear; and Thomas Greenleaf. The two newspapers printed in the district, the Old Colony Memorial and the Hingham Gazette, came out in support of the nomination. (JQA, Diary, 18, 22, 25, 28 Sept.) However, LCA, either on her own initiative or after hearing CFA’s objections, took a resolute stand against JQA’s candidacy: “There are some very silly plans going on here and God only knows in what they will end, but I fear not at all to my taste” (LCA to JA2, 1 Oct., Adams Papers, and below, entry for 27 Oct. and note).
1830-09-29
Morning fine. My present time of rising is with the Sun, and on the whole I think this is the season in which I most enjoy my health. The weather is clear, cool and bracing. I work an hour after breakfast upon my Catalogue, then to the Office, where I employ myself as fully as I can in reading and writing with Accounts. This day I finished Hutchinson’s second Volume most of which I have not read as well as I ought to have done. It is a valuable work, but exceedingly dry and difficult to pursue—The great simplicity of the style making it too even to prevent baldness. After dinner continued my attack upon Cicero. I find the large Oxford edition not quite so correct as I had anticipated. The Treatise de Inventione has much difficulty in it from the technical words of the Science which it is difficult clearly to transfer from one science to the other. I am also labouring upon the Port Royal Latin Grammar.1 Read Corinne for an hour with Abby and finished the Article in the North American upon Moore’s Life of Byron. It has many good points about it but has not vis enough. Passed two hours afterwards upon Hedge’s and the Oxford Elements of Logic, which need more and more examination.
A New Method of Learning with Facility the Latin Tongue, translated by T. Nugent from the French of “the Messieurs de Port-Royal.” JQA’s copy of the London edition, 2 vols., 1816, is in MQA.
1830-09-30
Morning fine but pretty cool reminding us of the approach of Winter. Went to the Office as usual, where I was occupied in making up the Accounts for the Quarter, and in drawing up the several 330distinct Accounts. My Uncle the Judge called in order to obtain his allowance for the Quarter a day in advance. He also brought a letter from my brother John to me in which he advertises the departure of some flour and hams from Georgetown, for me. A present for which I feel much obliged to him.1
A considerable part of my Morning passed in examining some grates and Stoves for two of my rooms which have not fire places. I also attended a sale of some but could not suit myself, though they went very low. The Judge dined with me, a civility I was glad to show him, as he had never dined with me or had any thing of the kind since I have been married. Nothing of any consequence occurred and I went to my Cicero only to turn back and review what I had already read. This is the only way, for one reading of an Author will give very little idea of his meaning, particularly if that Author is in a foreign language. Read Corinne an hour with Abby and afterwards read a part of Mason’s Memoir of Gray the Poet, which is new to me.2 Afterwards, two hours of Logic.
The letter is missing. In return CFA wrote JA2 that he was sending him a box of fish and a half barrel of cranberries; in the same letter, though uncertain whether the intent in naming the new baby Georgeanna (for GWA) Frances was “applicable” to him, CFA assumed the compliment and thanked his brother for it (CFA to JA2, 2 Oct.).
In the edition at MQA owned by JQA of The Works of Thomas Gray, 2 vols., London, 1807, the memoirs by William Mason appear in conjunction with Gray’s letters in both volumes.