Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1835-03-04
Morning cold but the day was remarkably fine. I awoke with a sore throat and more unpleasant feelings than usual. Office and from thence to the House where I remained some time in assorting pamphlets. This was perhaps imprudent, as the House was very cold and I became much chilled. I wrote my Diary and took a walk. Nothing material. A vast deal of talk and speculation about the French question but in fact very little done. And the whole kettle is boiling. A little of Ovid.
After dinner, I began to feel the approach of head ach which ter-89minated as they generally do with me. This is the second I have had this winter. I managed however to go on and read Grimm and a translation of Cuvier’s Theory of fossils which I have procured for want of the original.1 I also looked over a Pamphlet relating to Harvard University published by Mr. F. C. Gray defending it from many charges commonly made. It is fighting at a windmill. I do not perceive any thing in it within my province.2 In the evening Mr. Shepherd came in and sat for some time. I was growing worse so fast that I had not much time to enjoy conversation. But I could not have read so that I made it out better than if alone. Mr. Brooks went to a Geological Lecture. Retired early.
Vol. 11 of the 16-vol. English edition of Cuvier, The Animal Kingdom, London, 1827–1835, is devoted to “Fossil Remains.”
The pamphlet almost certainly was the Letter to Governor Lincoln in Relation to Harvard University, Boston, 1831, which Francis Calley Gray, a member of the Corporation, had signed and published. CFA, apparently, had turned to it as a part of his background reading in preparing his own article “in relation to Harvard University,” which he had begun more broadly on “the subject of education,” and which had occupied him at intervals during the preceding month (see above, entries for 30 Jan.,
1835-03-05
Fine day although still cold for the month. I felt a little better but not free from sore throat and general cold. Indeed I do not know when I have felt more disagreeably. Office where I employed my time pretty usefully. I wrote for an hour upon my work. Short walk. Read the debates in Congress upon the various questions relative to a war. The members have become crowded up in the last minute and talk fast but not with much method. Read Ovid whose lines pleased me much today. The Consolatio has many touching passages which are quite equal to the Author, and identify him.
Afternoon, Attended a funeral of Mrs. Dalton, a relation of my Wife’s Mother. She was an aged woman being nearly 79 years. There were a considerable number of relations and friends and the children appeared much affected. But there was nothing to a mere stranger like myself for I had never seen the person, which reminded me of 90more than the lapse of the longest term of human life when death is no evil.
Home, Feeling not quite well. Luxuriated with Baron Grimm. Evening at Mr. Frothingham’s. Nobody there but Wife and Mr. B. who dined out. Pleasant little Supper and home.