Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 7
No. 10. Diary
1 September 1837
31 December 1838.1
Homer.
Cowper.
Pope2
Titlepage of D/CFA/12 (Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 64), which begins where D/CFA/11 ends and in which are contained all the journal entries CFA made between the terminal dates indicated here. An explanation of the discrepancy between CFA’s numbering of his Diary volumes and the Adams Papers serial numbering is given at vol. 1:xxxviii–xl. For a description of this Diary MS and of the other MSS from which the printed text of vols. 7 and 8 of the present edition is derived, see the Introduction.
Iliad, 6:207–209. In addition to the six Greek texts owned by JA and JQA cited at vol. 4:307, CFA had acquired C. G. Heyne’s 1802 Leipzig edition of Wolf’s Greek text sometime after 1820; in that edition the lines quoted here, and only those lines, are underscored. Editions of the Pope translation at MQA are cited at vol. 4:186. Also at MQA are Cowper’s Iliad, 2 vols., London, 1809, and his Works (including his translations), 15 vols., London, 1836.
1837-09-01
I begin upon a new volume of my Diary. An occasion which is fitting for a little reflection upon the past, the present and the future. Of the past I recollect much that is gratifying and much to be thankful for. Of the present I think with a more mingled sense of moments not suitably employed and to the future I look with hope and fear. My personal situation changes little, so little that a record ceases to possess any interest, and yet I grow older and feel more heavily the burden of the charge so neatly expressed by Glaucus in the passage which I have prefixed as an epigraph to this volume. Perhaps I may say that I appear less favorably placed than heretofore for acquiring the honest reputation which is my wish, but this does not dishearten me as I trust all things will with fair exertion come right at the proper time. My happiness can be consulted without going in search of extraneous objects for it and this is cause for the profoundest gratitude to the giver of all good.
I remained at home all day. My first business is to hear the girls read four chapters of the Bible, a practice established by my father and which since his departure I have continued. After this I make arrangements of the superfluity of books into the rooms newly opened for them, or read Homer. These occupations were interrupted today by a visit from Mrs. Frothingham and Horatio Brooks who has lately returned from a voyage. He has lived very fast and bears the marks of it.1 308They went home to dinner. Afternoon read Humboldt. Evening, play at Loto with the children, after which, engaged in writing.
Earlier references to Horatio’s proclivities are in vols. 3:354; 6:118.