Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1829-09-06
I was at home during the whole of the day. Abby would not go out to Meeting and I did not feel as if I could leave her alone. How we passed our day it is impossible for me to tell but I can truly say it was to me unmingled happiness or the intoxication of pleasure. I had formed moderate expectations only and they have been entirely exceeded—And Abby’s conduct is perfectly delightful. The gentleness, and moderation she has displayed, with the attention to me have made 4her far more dear than ever to me and have given me moments of felicity which could not be improved. Sidney and his Wife,1 and Chardon came in and Julia Gorham in the course of the day and they laughed and made amusement in plenty,2 and in the evening Mr. William Emerson called to see his old pupil.3 I do not much like any of the Emerson family without knowing any reason for positively disliking them, excepting perhaps hearing from Abby’s own lips that one of them had been once a favoured friend though at a time when she was so young as to be unable to judge. This might have been a reason, had I not been able to trace the dislike earlier than my acquaintance with her. Poor Edward has suffered so much subsequently however that I feel pity for him.4 And I have been a successfull rival with too many advantages not to cause in him some regrets at the inequalities of life. I am sorry for I do not feel disposed to boast of advantages which are not my own but resulting from accident. I am full of gratitude for every thing.
ABA’s brother, Sidney Brooks (1799–1878) and his wife, the former Frances Dehon, had come for the wedding from New York where he was a partner in the firm of Davis & Brooks, importers. See vol. 2:103, 165, 197–199; Adams Genealogy; Brooks, Waste Book, 17 Jan. 1824, 19 Aug. 1826, 8 March 1828.
P. C. Brooks Jr. (“Chardon”) (1798–1880), another brother of ABA, was a partner in the firm of Sargent & Brooks, merchants, of 49 Central Wharf (
Boston Directory, 1829–1830); see vol. 2:149 and Adams Genealogy.
William Emerson (b. 1801), Harvard 1818, was the oldest of the three sons of Rev. William Emerson, minister of the First Church until his death in 1814. He was apparently the “Mr. Emerson” to whom Peter C. Brooks made payments in 1820 for “Abby’s schooling” (Waste Book, 3 May, 25 Sept., 16 Nov. 1820). However, his younger brother, Ralph Waldo Emerson (b. 1803), Harvard 1821, was also one of her teachers, for on 29 Dec. 1824 Brooks recorded payment of $8 for a set of Cowper “presented by ‘Miss Abby’ to her instructor Mr. Ralph W. Emerson” (same).
On Edward Bliss Emerson (1805–1834), Harvard 1824, formerly a fellow law student of CFA’s in Daniel Webster’s office, see vol. 1:206, 2:242, 254.
1829-09-07
Morning at home until ten o’clock with Abby. Then finding she had some of her friends coming, I went to the Office. Wrote my Journal but wasted my time considerably otherwise. Mr. Curtis called in to see me for a minute or two and we had much conversation respecting Mr. Boylston’s Will and the arrangement and disposal of his Estates. I have not yet been able to finish the Deed.1 After this I went to see Mrs. Longhurst and my father’s other Tenants. But I obtained from them nothing but promises. Money seems now to be a difficult thing to obtain. And there is so much due to my father that it is high time to collect it. I have done my best.
5Thence to the House to dinner. Found numbers of her relations with Abby and therefore she had become over excited. It is wonderful to see on what high pressure her spirits go, and sometimes I am really frightened for her lest they should prove too much, Afternoon passed restlessly, giving orders and directions for the evening. My father came in early and I asked him up in my Library. The rest of the family came too.
This was the Evening upon which Abby was to receive her Company and when she was to be fairly launched into Society. She was dressed magnificently and really looked quite a new thing. Her marriage has had a wonderfully beneficial effect upon her appearance so far and we are perhaps more struck with the contrast as she now comes out of black.2 The Company both in character and number was highly flattering. All the most distinguished people in Boston favoured us and if I did not feel resolved not to be elated, I think I might with some reason. But all this is mere show. I hope I have too much sense not to see that it is all but as the passing shadow,3 and that I have other and deeper duties to perform, to support and sustain my character, in the event of which there is much doubt. But I hope I shall be aware of my situation, and that adulation to my Wife is not respect for myself. The Company went early.
Ward Nicholas Boylston (1747–1828) of Jamaica Plain, kinsman and friend of JQA (vol. 1:442 and Adams Genealogy), had by his will appointed as coexecutors of his estate, his wife, JQA, and Nathaniel Curtis (1774–1857) of Roxbury, a merchant of integrity and judgment (vol. 2:178; Francis S. Drake, The Town of Roxbury, Roxbury, 1878, p. 427).
The executors, faced with the prospect of conveying numerous parcels, wished a deed form prepared that would serve them generally. CFA had been chosen to prepare the somewhat complex instrument and was named conveyancer for the estate. See vol. 2:418; JQA, Diary, 1 Aug., 19, 25 Nov. 1829; and below, entries for 11, 16–18 November.
ABA’s brother, Ward Chipman Brooks, had died in March 1828; see vol. 2:223 and Adams Genealogy. It would appear that the Brooks sisters had continued to wear black since that time. Charlotte (Brooks) Everett had written to her husband on the subject, 1 July 1829, saying “there is little chance I think of my being able to have it off” (Everett MSS, MHi).
Father and son shared similar views of such occasions, but JQA, less accustomed to the prevailing mode, is more explicit:
“It was near nine, when the company began to come, and by half past ten, all excepting the family had retired .... There is a fashionable formality in these wedding visits, and subsequent parties, different from the practice heretofore, and objectionable in many cases for its expensiveness. The Lady sends her Cards with her maiden name, and on the back of it At Home, such an Evening. The bridesmen introduce all the Visitors, to the bride with as much ceremony as at an European Court presentation. The dresses of the Ladies are too costly: and this wedding visit is succeeded by evening parties or dinners given by friends.”
Those other than family whose presence JQA marked were the Chevalier Huygens, the Minister from the Nether-6lands, with his wife and two daughters; Lt. Gov. Thomas L. Winthrop; Daniel Webster; Rev. Henry Ware, the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard, and wife; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Derby; F. C. Gray; Jared Sparks.