Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 4
1831-12-15
Morning snow and very cold. The Thermometer for the last fifteen days has averaged little above 10°. of Fahrenheit. My Wife a little better and quite revived by the appearance of her Nurse from Medford.
Went to the Office and was occupied in writing Letters to Mrs. Adams and Joseph in relation to the Commission received last Night.1 I then tried to sketch off an Article upon the Treasury Report lately published but did not finish it as I went home to oversee my fire. Took the precaution to make one up myself today, such as would probably last. Then went and dined at Mr. Frothingham’s. Mr. Brooks was there. We had some conversation but I did not enjoy my dinner.
Returned home and read a part of Cicero’s first book De divinatione discussing a peculiar part of the character of Man—His attachment to signs and wonders. Probably the greatest change that has taken place in this generation is the comparatively small operation of this feeling. But it is still powerful.
Evening. Attended a Caucus of Mr. Sullivan’s friends. I went as one of them although I had no personal feeling for him, simply because I thought him the best man.2 Returned and set to work upon my Article. Read the Spectator.
The letters to Mrs. TBA and to Joseph Harrod Adams are missing.
In the voting on 12 Dec. to elect a mayor of Boston, William Sullivan had placed third behind Charles Wells and Theodore Lyman Jr., but since no candidate had received a majority of the votes cast, a second election was called for 22 December. At the caucus of citizens supporting Sullivan’s candidacy held at the New Court House on School Street on 15 Dec., a letter from Sullivan was read in which he withdrew from the race (Columbian Centinel, 14 Dec., p. 4, col. 7; 17 Dec., p. 2, cols. 6–7).
1831-12-16
I found the difference during the Night, in sleeping in a cold room without any fire. Arose and after warming myself as well as I could went to the Office. Was busy there in writing a part of my Paper upon the Treasury Report. But I could not finish it at all today. No material occurrence took place. Received an answer from Mrs. Adams just such as I expected to receive—Expressing no decided answer but wavering and talking.1 These people do not deserve kindness. Took a short walk and returned to dine at home.
Afternoon passed in reading the first book De Divinatione which contains all the wonderful predictions that took place in Antiquity. Yet no one can suppose they were any thing but the effect of accident 199or good judgment in the Officer. In such cases Posterity has for a judgment only the prophecies which came true, while those that did not are left out of sight.
Evening, continued Gibbon and reached the famous Chapters, upon the Christian Religion. Read the tenth book of the Iliad, and two numbers of the Spectator. This Volume is certainly the most valuable.
The letter from Mrs. TBA is missing.