Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1835-05-25
Received a letter from my father this morning, at Philadelphia.1 He gives notice of his intention of arriving here by the first of next month. Not a preparation made. What is to be done?
My No. 5 appeared this morning with a laudatory editorial which may excite inquiry and bring upon me attack. Well! I must be prepared for the thing which will produce the very effect I wish.
I walked with Louisa who does not seem well, then to the end of the town in quest of a man to look at a Pump after which, I sat down and wrote another number of Political Speculation. This took me until dinner. The afternoon I went out to see Mrs. Kirk about a woman to go to Quincy, then to see Mr. Hallett and give him my number, then home when I made up my lost hour of Juvenal. But this took up the whole time.
Evening quiet at home. My anxieties at present numerous, by the singular conjunction of my Wife’s probable confinement and the arrival of my father’s family.
22 May (Adams Papers).
1835-05-26
Morning fine and rather warm. I went out with Louisa who seems languid. Then to the Office where I was occupied with Diary and Accounts. Wrote a short answer to a notice of my fifth number of Political Speculation, which was inserted in the Advocate.1 It is just like every thing which proceeds from the friends of Mr. Webster, a gross perversion of the true state of facts. I endeavour to avoid altercation.
Wrote a Note to Spear requesting him to procure me a woman to air the House at Quincy.2 I do not feel as if I can go out at this crisis. Called to see Mr. Hallett but did not find him in. Then went home. Read Juvenal, Gifford’s Translation of the second Satire. His Notes are extremely valuable. After dinner. Worked upon my Pamphlet Catalogue, and read Duclos whom I have gone through with getting about as little from him as was ever got from any Author.
Took up Crabbe’s Poems and read the second part of the Village together with the first of the Parish Register. There is great vigour in his lines and truth in his delineation, but the view of human nature is painful. We have always loved so much the innocent delusion which attaches all the happiness of primitive life to a Cottage that we cannot 146easily reconcile ourselves to the painful reality. Evening at home. Conversation with my Wife. After which Wilhelm Meister.
A letter writer in the Advocate signing himself “A real friend to Daniel Webster” took issue with CFA’s assertion that if as seemed likely the election of the next President were thrown into the House of Representatives Webster’s chances would be negligible (26 May, p. 2, col. 3). In his reply CFA maintained his position equably and expressed a desire to avoid any course that would cause the election to be decided in the House (28 May, p. 2, col. 3). To this, the same correspondent entered a rejoinder which elicited a further response from CFA (29 May, p. 2, col. 3; 30 May, p. 2, col. 3).
Letter missing.