Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1838-12-08
Fine day, time divided as usual. Evening, Mr. Brooks at home. At the Office nothing new.
But the political accounts are very interesting. The departure of the District Attorney of New York for Europe in the Liverpool gives rise to conjectures of new deficiencies in Revenue.1 And the accounts from Harrisburg appear to be of a last appeal to force. The workings of our system are peculiar, but the occasional appearance of this popular feature is somewhat ominous. It remains to be seen how they will get out of the scrape into which they have got.
I read a good deal of Alcestis which is quite easy and very touching. Coins as usual. Mr. Brooks spent an hour with us in the evening after which I read Crevier. Rather out of work now.
William M. Price, district attorney for New York, faced with the obligation of supervising proceedings taken against Swartwout, pleaded inability to do so because of his prior relations with the defendant, resigned his office, and took passage on the Liverpool for Europe. There followed reports of his great gambling losses and rumors of further defalcations (Boston Courier, 10 Dec., p. 3, col. 2).
1838-12-09
Day fine but cold. Services as usual. Evening out.
I read more of Milman’s history of the Jews, relating to the disturbances in Judaea and the reduction of the country under Vespasian. This is a very interesting portion of the Roman history of which I hardly recollect enough.
Attended divine service and heard Mr. W. Ware all day.1 John 17. 15. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” A sensible discourse upon the necessity of keeping among men and avoiding temptation, which can be done under the guidance of religious feeling alone. Romans 8. 24. “For we are saved by hope.” The power of hope. Mr. Ware is not interesting as a preacher but he has evidently a sound and cultivated mind.
Read a very sensible and excellent discourse by Dr. Evans in the English Preacher from Ephesians 4. 25. “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” With a great deal of legal acuteness, he distinguishes the precise moral wrong after which he enforces the value of the precept. This appears to me the best Sermon I have yet read in this collection. I read also some of Crevier.
153Evening my Wife and I went to Edward Brooks’ and spent an agreeable hour in conversation. Home to continue Crevier.
On Rev. William Ware, see vol. 6:22.