Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1834-09-27
Fine day although we had a few clouds and slight showers. I went to town with Mr. Brooks, found at my Office my father who told me 393my Mother was better. Yet he speaks very discouragingly of her situation and seems to adhere to his belief that she will never entirely recover. I do not like to think so. Nor do I yet think there is occasion if any faith is to be put in medical advice.
My time was taken up at a sale of engravings where I purchased a few, also at the Office as usual. Returned to Medford—Mr. Brooks’ horse Squire being much indisposed. He is a veteran in the service and came in the morning very briskly. But his strength was exhausted and barely brought us home.1
After dinner there was company. Mrs. Adams, Mr. and Miss Soley with her lover Mr. D’Wolf,2 with Mr. and Mrs. Everett from Charlestown. I felt exceedingly unwell and unable to exert myself. A hearty dinner which I made upon saltfish increased the indisposition I had experienced before. Quiet evening. Continued La Fontaine.
On the 29th in his “Farm Journal,” Mr. Brooks recorded the death of “The ‘Squire”: “He had been sick since Saturday ... and from that time scarcely eat or drank. He died of old age. He was, I think, about 26.... He has been one of the best and most powerful animals I ever had. As I do not sell my old horses, I should probably have ordered him killed this fall and therefore do not regret his loss. I only regret that I used him on Saturday and drove him down faster than usual.... Had the poor old fellow buried in the orchard ... taking off his shoes.”
Mary Russell Soley, daughter of John Soley, would marry William Bradford DeWolf in a month (Columbian Centinel, 24 Oct.).
1834-09-28
I arose this morning feeling extremely unwell, and omitted my usual bath. By starvation however I recovered the tone of my stomach and felt as well as usual before evening. I did not attend divine service in the morning.
After dinner, heard Dr. Follen 43 Psalm 5. “Why art thou cast down O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God”: He reviewed the miseries of life, the uncertainties of this world, and considered them as yielding to the desire which improves upon experience. A little touch at politics, the late liberation of slaves in the West Indies, as a sign of this great improvement. A poor sermon.
Read one of Warburton’s which struck me much. 1 Corinthians 1. 30 “Jesus Christ who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” One part of the Sermon seemed to be intended to form Christs character as a divine Messenger foretold, the other to show the purposes of his coming as explained in the two latter terms of the text. The argument upon the nature of the prophecy 394and the fulfilment of it by the Saviour seems to me very strong and embodies many floating thoughts which I has in reading Mr. Noyes’ Article in the Christian Examiner.1
I read and finished La Fontaine’s third story. It has perhaps Passages more eloquent than either of the Other, but I like it as a whole the least. Yet there is a moral tone pervading all his works which renders them charming to me. Minor Morals, which I do not like at all or believe in.
See above, entry for 9 July.