Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1833-09-14
Fine morning though cool. I went to the Office and passed most of my time there, but could not resist going to the Athenaeum for an hour. The Masonic newspapers are out very violently against the nominations.1 This is no more than was to be expected and will do no great injury. But what the result of all these things is to be, remains as yet much in the dark. Judge Hall called but I felt a little head-achy from indigestion and rather irritable so that I wished his dissertation upon the mullein poultice indefinitely postponed. Read some of Bradford’s History which is most terribly dull. I fear I shall fail in my undertaking from nausea at the materials at which I am to work.
My head being still a little troublesome I thought I would ride it away so directly after dinner I started for Quincy. Passed my mother on the road, who was coming in to see my Wife, and consequently missed her, but found my father and the remainder of the family somewhat better. Conversed with him upon the events of the day, and found him disposed if possible still to get rid of his threatened honor. He says that if the National Republican party will pitch upon any person who is satisfactory to the Antimasons he will yet withdraw. There are many obstacles to this proceeding. He seems still however to cling to public life on a different stage. So long as this feeling lasts, it is a matter of perfect indifference to me where his lot is cast. The great objection still exists. Took tea and returned to town but it was quite late first. My head was cured by the remedy.
A collection of such editorials from the State’s newspapers is carried in the Columbian Centinel, 20 Sept., p. 2, col. 3. The Centinel’s own editorial blast was reserved to its issue of 25 Sept., p. 2, when in a lead editorial occupying almost the entire first column, JQA’s whole political career is reviewed to show that “an inordinate thirst for office and power predominates in him, over every other principle.” Representative of an even more unfriendly current attitude is one of a series of letters on “Political Parties” by Thomas Filmer of Salem (Columbian
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Centinel, 30 Sept., p. 1, col. 5) in which of the antimasonic party he writes: “Men who seek distinction, join such parties, and foment their bad feelings in hope of profiting themselves. Thus Mr. Adams.... But Mr. Adams having no popular qualities, and being naturally a selfish and repulsive man, shows ... the truth, that his movements are only one more form of the self-advancement, which has marked his whole life. Such men are the pests of republics.”
1833-09-15
Fine day although yet very cool. I have caught a severe cold which makes me feel it somewhat more than I probably otherwise should. Attended Divine service at Mr. Frothingham’s and heard him in the morning from Ecclesiastes 2. 20. “Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.” It was against despair as being unjustifiable both from the changes which are constantly occurring in the world, and from the deeper reasons drawn from our religious duties. Mr. Lunt1 in the afternoon from Romans 2. 14 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.” A discussion of the obligations of law prompted by mere nature, which was very dry and not particularly striking in any way.
Read a funeral Oration from Massillon upon the “Grand Monarque” Louis 14th. Ecclesiastes. 1. 16–17. He considers him as a King and a Christian. The age of this Louis was one of great glory to the French, but it is difficult to bestow unqualified praise to him on account of it. His wars were all of them unjustifiable, and his domestic administration was one of cruel oppression. His religion was bigotry, and his generosity, injustice. Few Monarchs of late times have undergone greater vicissitudes of fortune, and perhaps the hour when he was greatest was after adversity had made him feel almost every variety of disappointment.
In the evening, at home. The child and her nurse are both unwell with the complaint of the season.
On Rev. William Parsons Lunt and his later connection with the Adamses and Quincy, see vol. 4:48–49.
1833-09-16
Clear and cool. I went to the Office and was occupied in reading Bradford’s History in which I made considerable progress. The difficulty with me is that I desire to be at the same time writing. I cannot 172reflect to much purpose without reducing my ideas to some definite shape—A circumstance that makes writing to me far more of a labor than it need.
A short walk. Afternoon reading Hutchinson and the Massachusetts State Papers, the blunders of Governor Bernard, who was a very indifferent Agent for the execution of the schemes of the British Ministry. He was an Englishman coming here for the sake of money, with no strength in the affections of the people, and with a disposition to arbitrary doctrines which he had not the judgment to conceal. Joined with this was an open and rather irritable temper, which he had not very much under his control. He was thus almost at the mercy of the popular party—The leaders of which knew their business.
Resumed my reading of Virgil today with the first Georgic, and in the evening wrote a considerable portion of my Article. Thus I have at last fallen pretty thoroughly into the regular course of life which is customary to me in town.