Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1833-05-14
It looked misty and rained occasionally so that I did not go to town. My morning taken up principally in reading Horace and in working upon the Catalogue. I make progress but as yet rather slowly. I hope to get things so arranged in a day or two as to make a final disposition of most of the books. To this purpose I had the Office cleared away this morning and effected a transfer of those volumes which I designed to go over. Some discrimination must be exercised as the mould has made serious inroads even upon the books of value.1
In the Afternoon, notwithstanding the rain, I was obliged to ride down to Mount Wollaston to see the farmer and buy some hay. The late dry weather has materially raised the price of this article.
The child appeared so hoarse today, that she was subjected to some severity of Medicine. I perceive now the value of so careful a Nurse as Mrs. Fields if I had not known it before.2 Some exposure has produced this effect. Evening quiet at home.
“The Office,” located on the grounds at the Old House, was on the second floor of the old farmhouse. Until after JQA’s death, the books which JA had given to the town of Quincy remained there subject to “the injury of time, of damp, and mice, and utter neglect” (vol. 4:139, 389–391).
On LCA2’s nurse, Mrs. Field, see vol. 4:314.
1833-05-15
Rainy and warm. I was busily at work at home in effecting the transportation of the books to the Office, which for the most part I did—And relieved my father’s study from a great load. They overrun all receptacles however. I became much fatigued from my labour. With the assistance of the two men, I managed to do pretty nearly all that was necessary for the present.
The day was sultry with clouds. My time slips away in the variety of my little occupations without a possibility on my part of turning it to better advantage. After dinner, I was busy in putting a preparation upon my trees which are under my particular care. Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham however came out and stopped me. They took tea and were quite pleasant. Evening very quietly at home.
1833-05-16
Misty, easterly, disagreeable day. I went to town and my time was taken up in a variety of ways, so that I was at the Office but a very little while.
Made purchases at several places, and bought at Auction a number of trees for the further improvement of the Quincy house. They come from Maine and their success is somewhat problematical. One or two calls from a Tenant or two consumed the remainder of my time. Returned to dinner. Afternoon taken up in the garden and superintending the preparation in digging necessary for the new purchases.
The child has been better although she is still very much troubled with her cough. Anxiety about her is mingled with all my feelings, now the nurse has gone. We have not had rain enough materially to wet the ground. Evening quietly at home. Conversation without any particular interest.
1833-05-17
Misty again but it cleared away towards the Afternoon. I passed my morning in reading Horace and attending to the Catalogue until 90my trees came out of Boston which have been unreasonably delayed. After that, my whole time was taken up in giving the directions necessary to transplant them. My space is but limited, and I was compelled somewhat to crowd it. But by diligence, I effected the placing of the greater part of them. Whether any of the forty will take is very doubtful, but I always calculate that the number of chances of success is greater than the price given for the whole, that is, that though many should die, yet enough would remain to compensate. I have ten Maple trees, ten Firs, ten spruces and ten white cedars. I consider the second, the most and the first the least promising. Evening, quietly at home.