Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1834-04-09
Rainy morning with clouds. I went to the Office but did not spend my time to much advantage. Mr. Walsh came in and consumed an hour. I had two or three other interruptions of various sorts from Tenants and persons wishing for Houses. But nothing else particular.
The Account of the closing votes upon the Bank question came and have manifested so determined a spirit in the House of Representatives that nothing is to be done but appeal to the next elections.1 The Country is in a bad way.
Home to dinner. Afternoon, finished the fourth Tusculan of Cicero and read the Arabian Tales. What a life of luxurious idleness mine is. Evening at home, finished Manoeuvring and read German.
The House of Representatives voted to concur with the recommendations of the Committee of Ways and Means that the Bank not be rechartered and that the public deposits not be restored to it (National Intelligencer, 5 April, p. 3, col. 4).
1834-04-10
Morning fine weather. I went to the Office and occupied myself as usual but not to much profit. Mr. Jones came in and paid me his Note which with other collections makes a considerable sum. The time for the payment is soon approaching.1 I collected several of my own Dividends and found them favourable, but the account of a late loss affects very much some of the Insurance Companies in which I am interested. I imagine it will abridge my expected receipts a little. The vessel was run down at sea and was insured for more than a hundred thousand dollars.2 To set off this, the National Insurance made a Dividend today. Walk. Afternoon, the Arabian Nights, and Cicero’s fifth Tusculan. Evening my wife had been to Medford but returned late. German.
That is, to Isaac Hull Adams.
The ship Pagoda nine days out of Boston for Valparaiso with a cargo worth $100,000 was sunk by collision with the ship William Pitt from Liverpool on 12 March (Columbian Centinel, 10 April, p. 2, col. 7).
1834-04-11
I had one of my unpleasant headachs today. Thinking it arose from indigestion I thought I would walk it off, but I found this only made the matter worse. My day was wasted. In the Afternoon, however I took a little Carbonate of Soda and it cured me which makes me see at once my complaint is an acid stomach.
293I read the Arabian Tales which are too fascinating for me to leave off and Cicero’s fifth Tusculan that wisdom is happiness. A dispute of words, which would be remedied by a definition. Now, is it possible for me to say that I feel perfectly happy with a headach such as I had this morning? Let my moral qualities, my virtues and merits be what they may, there is the physical evil which prevents enjoyment.
Quiet evening at home, being unable to procure tickets for Miss Kembles farewell benefit which took place this night. Began Miss Edgeworth’s Belinda which is the most sprightly of her works. German.