Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

Fishing and study have constituted my most general amusements for the last week. Now and then, a sitting to Mr. King, and a letter to Abby which form my varieties of life. And in the evening, Conversation or cards with the family—and strange to say I find great pleasures in this life.

But I am tired of this way of writing my Journal. And I have now another plan. My intention for the summer is to study according to {p. 117  | view } the following plan. Premising that my rising hour is to be six o’clock, a great change from my old habits.

Immediately after rising, I write [the] Executive Record until four pages are completed and devote the rest of the time until breakfast to Maltebrun, and his study of Geography. At ten I commence Law and continue until one o’clock. At two I read Miscellany or write letters until four. And from four until five read a Classic. The remainder of the evening to leisure and the family—excepting only that after ten, it is my wish to record nightly how far I have kept my original determination. For after all, this is the only plan by which a journal can be carried on. In order to form a clear view of my proposition I subjoin it in numerals.

Rise at six o’clock	6.
Executive Record, two hours	to 8.	2.
Maltebrun’s Geography, one hour	to 9. Morning.	1.
Breakfast, one hour’s recess	10. o’clock
Law, three hours	to 1. Noon.	3.
Luncheon, one hour’s recess	2. o’clock
Miscellaneous reading or letter writing	to 4.	2.
Study of Classics, one hour	to 5. Evening.	1.
Leisure, Amusement, & Conversation, five hours		5.

I have in this manner sketched a plan which I am anxious to pursue as closely as possible—and note my omissions as they occur. That they will be numerous I do not doubt. If however my performances exceed my negligences, it will be doing enough for a beginning. On some days, I shall do nothing, on others other engagements will interfere, but still it is something to have a plan—and so be it from this time forward.2