Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1834-09-22
Fine day. I went this morning to town. My boy is this day one year old. I always think of the passage of time as it respects the children with gratitude to God. One year ago, the day was one of immense and trying anxiety to me—My mother taken ill fearfully in the morning, and my wife in childbirth before night. I am, thank God, easier now, although a man after he acquires his relations in life is rarely free from anxiety. My Mother is now very ill and my daughter is ailing. Yet my lot is a blessed one in having health myself and in my Wife as well as uncommonly healthy children. Let me trust every thing to the Deity.
Busily occupied this morning with my arrears. Then to the Carpenter’s who was not there and to the Athenaeum. Attracted by two numbers of Jacob Faithful a story in the Metropolitan Magazine, which appear to me far superior to the rest.1 Remained there longer than I had intended. Received from my father for my son, a silver cup as a birthday present.
Went to Quincy. Found my Mother a little better but still apparently quite ill. Passed much time with her, the remainder in reading the second volume of La Fontaine’s Novel. T. B. Adams came in. J. Q. Adams his brother has got an appointment in the Navy and sails in the Potomac. This is the fourth appointment to the United States Service in that family and two of them with reasonable ground for doubt of their propriety.2 But I say nothing. Evening. Conversation with my father upon the prospects of this Country. Afterwards, sat up until late deeply interested in Herr von Lange.
Jacob Faithful, like a number of the other novels of Capt. Frederick Marryat, appeared serially in the Metropolitan Magazine, of which Marryat was the editor, 1832–1835.
An appointment in the Navy for Joseph H. Adams and one to West Point for Isaac Hull Adams had been obtained by the intervention of LCA and JQA. See vol. 4:76, 197, 235. JQA had also used his good offices in behalf of young J. Q. Adams’ appointment (JQA, Diary, 22 Sept. 1834). On these sons of TBA, see also Adams Genealogy.
1834-09-23
Medford
I left Quincy this morning finding my Mother much the same. In Boston engaged constantly in something or other without making profitable progress in any thing. Accounts. Copying letters. Diary 391arrears. Agency business. I find no time to execute my purpose of examining the Registry of Deeds, nor for going to my House. J. Q. Adams called for a few minutes. He has been to the Potomac, but the Captain was not there.
Went to Medford at noon. Afternoon pursued the reading of Herr von Lange, and the Epistles of Ovid, which I have now very nearly closed. My time is principally devoted to this German, for I mean to be acquainted with their Literature. The child Louisa is very drooping, we do not know what the case is.