Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-11-30
Much to my surprise, I found the day as stormy as that on Thursday. The rain set in from the Eastward and continued with a high wind all day. I went to the Office as usual and was busy during my time in my German which I pursued with some success. At the same time I got my room prepared for Mr. Everett’s reception. I am still so little satisfied with my morning’s occupation that I am thinking of altering my arrangements, and resuming some review. My old undertaking of Williston recurs to my mind with a strong inclination. I will think about it.
Returned home and sat in the cold all the afternoon for fear of 373being overpowered with smoke, and though I suffered in feeling I gained in progress, for I accomplished Thirty Sections or one half of the first book de Oratore, which is by far the most amusing as I think.
Evening, the usual quantity of Corinne and then some of Lady Morgan. She is a vain, silly woman, and yet not unamusing—Though she fatigues from monotony. Afterwards, I read the remainder of Paradise Lost Book Eleventh and reviewed a part of it. After which, finished with two Numbers of the Tatler.1 It continued raining in the Night.
When CFA began his reading of the Tatler (above, entry for 11 Oct.), he also undertook to make a brief daily comment, sometimes no more than a word, on the subject or tone of each number or on his reaction to it. He entered these comments in what had been one of GWA’s commonplace books, continuing the practice until this day on which he read Nos. 88 and 89, though on 24 Nov. he had recorded, “I am almost tired of my plan.” (Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 294.)