Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-11-20
Quincy
The day was pleasant, although it afterwards became cloudy. I went to the Office as usual, where I was busily occupied in my common avocations of Accounts and writing, after which I began my German, but was interrupted by Mr. Conant from Weston, bringing me the first fruits of the Sale of Wood on the third. The amount was but small, and not as I hope any presage of what it is likely to be.
Presently, John Kirke my fathers Servant came in to let me know he was sent for us and accordingly I was obliged to prepare myself to go. We started at a little after one o’clock and reached Quincy before three. I found my Mother dull and cold in her manner of receiving us, and my father as kind as he commonly is. I am satisfied from what I hear that the proper course should have been to have started long ago, but as it is, this is better than remaining the Winter.1
I sat in conversation with my father all the afternoon, and we looked over the Garden, considering what should be done for the future. After which we discussed all his arrangements. In the evening I discussed the Comic Annual2 and read passages aloud, to the amusement of the family but on the whole, it is a most indifferent production. The humour is of the gross kind and forced beyond the usual bounds, even of such things. We were tolerably comfortable although I felt quite strangely in my new Quarters at first.3
That is, the return to Washington should have taken place early in November, but the plan to leave early in December was to be preferred to LCA’s and JQA’s remaining at Quincy through the cold months. JQA’s election did not require his residence in Washington during the winter of 1830 since his term in the 22d Congress did not begin until 4 March, and the 1st session did not convene until 5 Dec. 1831.
The Comic Annual, a production of Thomas Hood, London, vol. 1 (1830).
Probably in the room which had been occupied by Mrs. JA2 during her long stay at the Old House.
1830-11-21
The morning was clear but cold. I passed the day very quietly, heard Mr. Whitney preach morning and afternoon, two Sermons very much in his usual style. He is very uninteresting and I think has almost brought his Parish to a crisis. The result of the present state of things is rather to be feared.
I conversed with my father during the day upon a variety of subjects relating to his situation here in Quincy. We do not often think alike upon matters of common life. He is a little more easy than I am disposed to be, under impositions of various kinds, and trusts as I be-367lieve we all do, a little too much to his own preconceived notions of right. But I am speaking perhaps more boldly than I ought.
My Mother was kept up in pretty tolerable spirits during the day, by the presence of my Wife. She is in low spirits from a state of depression resulting from her health, and from a general apathy to the ordinary run of the world, which is as unfortunate a thing as can befall a woman. I can give no account of any very profitable occupation during the day. Evening, Miscellaneous Conversation.