Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1838-12-22
Day fine. Office, dinner at Mr. Brooks’ and evening at Dr. Frothingham’s.
My time at the Office today was very much taken up by business accounts of Deacon William Spear who came in as usual charged with a great variety of bills. Received also letters from Washington from Mr. Johnson.1
Alcestis and then to dine with Mr. Brooks, family and Sidney Brooks who is here with his Wife for a few days. Dinner as usual. After return home go back again as far as Dr. Frothingham’s to meet some of the same persons. Not much conversation nor very interesting. Returned home in good season somewhat tired by the doing of nothing but feasting and saying useless things.
Missing.
1838-12-23
Clouds and snow but cleared off cold. Services as usual. Evening at Governor Everett’s.
Worked upon the Athenaeum collection, having finished Mr. Milman, until time for divine service, when I attended as usual. Heard Dr. Frothingham preach from Acts 20. 35. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” A sort of Christmas Sermon upon the value of charity to the dispenser of it. In the Afternoon John 1. 19. “Who art thou,” to which my attention rather failed.
Read a discourse of a certain Mr. Grove upon the reasonableness of Religion1 drawn as well from a consideration of the nature of the Creator as from that of man and the relation between them. Job 21. 15. “What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?” Sensible but not striking.
Evening to see Governor and Mrs. Everett. Sidney Brooks and his wife, Mr. Brooks and Chardon there and a pleasant evening enough. Home early.
The name Grove does not appear in The English Preacher; the reference would seem to be to Rev. Strickland Gough.
1838-12-24
Very cold and clear, distribution as usual. Evening at Mr. Brooks’.
At the Office where I found John Kirk with an announcement that 160his stable was broken open and the harnesses were gone. Lucky that it was not the horses. Mine however escaped. We have had rather singular fortunes in the way of robbery this year. Two other men applying for the farm at Weston. Nothing new. Alcestis, and Coins. Sidney Brooks came in and took tea after which we went down to Mr. Brooks in Pearl Street and found there a party of the family. Tolerably pleasant. Home early.