Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1833-02-14
A clear day at last. But the streets presented the appearance of winter with the quantity of ice in the streets and the immense icicles pendant from almost every house. Went to the Office and pursued quietly the study of Sir James Mackintosh whose book, I am sorry, is nearly finished. My quiet is perfectly preserved. I have not a soul to see me. This though it argues me unknown and unheeded is yet an exceedingly pleasant thing, for it avoids all the roughnesses of life which I see so thickly spread around more distinguished characters.
Walk, partly with Edmund Quincy. Afternoon, Anquetil, and Voltaire’s History of the Parliament of Paris,1 which I take up to understand the nature of that body and to explain some parts of Anquetil’s work. The History of the Fronde is highly interesting.
My Wife went out to tea, and I took up a MS volume of my Grand-30father’s upon the negotiation of 1783, containing the copies of all the Papers.2 That is a great subject in itself. I believe I must take it up in a scientific methodical way. Went to P.C.B. Jrs. Family and nobody else. Pleasant time. Home at ten.
A copy of the 2-vol., Amsterdam, 1769, edition in French is at MQA.
Probably one of the letterbook volumes in which were entered copies of the correspondence and papers of the 2d Joint American Commission, and which bear on their covers the words, “Peace 1782 1783”: Adams Papers, Lb/JA/15, 20, 21 (Microfilms, Reels 103, 108, 109).
1833-02-15
Morning cloudy but it was pleasant afterwards. I went to the Office and finished the volume of Sir James Mackintosh. The closing sketch of the order of Jesuits is beautifully drawn up. I have expressed my opinion so repeatedly upon the merit of this work that nothing remains for me further to say.
I went to the Athenaeum and looked over the Newspapers. An extraordinary union is taking place in Congress between Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Clay for the purpose of settling this question.1 What the result will be in the Nation, and the fate of the parties, it is impossible to foresee, but I am somewhat fearful that we have reached the brazen age of our Nation.
Took a walk. Afternoon, reading Anquetil. My Wife went to Medford, and I dined alone. Read some of Voltaire’s History of the Parliament. Abby returned to tea. Evening at home. Mr. Beale called in and passed an hour. Dipped into Montaigne.
Calhoun had given his assent to Clay’s proposal to modify the tariff to achieve an end of the crisis.
1833-02-16
Morning cloudy but it afterwards cleared away. I went to the Office and passed my time in Accounts. I was also engaged in reading the Newspapers, but on the whole I cannot say that my morning was profitably passed. Went to the Athenaeum for the purpose of obtaining a new subject to read at my office but I did not succeed. I believe that my proper course would be now to commence my investigations into the history of our own Country. My principal difficulty is to know where to begin. The field is a tolerably wide one. And a vast deal of it is unknown to me. I must go over it faithfully.
Took a walk. In the afternoon read Anquetil finishing the third 31Volume. Evening, read to my Wife some of Croker’s Legends of Killarney, so poor a book that I do not think I shall be able to get through with it. Afterwards, read German. The little fables of Herder, which are pretty and easy.