Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

Morning at the Office. Engaged very busily in an answer to my father’s letter [of] yesterday. The famous pamphlet came out this morning, and I read it previous to my writing.1 It serves only the purpose of declaring the war. And I presume that in future we shall have no communication between the parties. I was exceedingly engaged with this letter and my Middlesex Canal Paper. It occupied me all the morning and until four o’clock in the afternoon, hard and constant labour.2

I then went to see Abby as usual and passed the afternoon pleasantly. The death of William Carter which had raised her sympathies very much for her friend Miss Carter was passing over, and she felt less sensitive than yesterday. My only fear about her is that upon entering the world she has too much to learn. Some mortification to experience and some sorrow to bear. In the evening I attended the Debating Society. The subject was the character of Napoleon as given by Dr. Channing.3 Although I had not expected at all to engage in the debate, yet as the question was interesting and my feelings gradually engaged, I hazarded a few words and did better than I expected. I am inclined to believe that I may yet succeed in improving my qualities as a speaker when I wear off the timidity which embarrasses me so much.