Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

Walked to the Capitol but remained there only a few moments. In the evening, I went to a Private Concert given by Mr. Vaughan. It was rather dull, and I got into a bad humour owing to a difficulty with Mr. Bankhead, as I cannot tolerate rudenesses from foreigners of his pretensions. I had a good deal of conversation with Mr. Macready; he is a pretty agreeable man. We returned before the Concert closed.

I walked to the Capitol, but finding nothing was going on, returned directly. In the evening, we had a Drawing room. My time passed quite agreeably. I spent most of the evening with Miss Brooks. This young lady has been somewhat in my mind of late. I have been somewhat disposed to pay her attentions, which in the first place were paid only from an inability to get rid of them. But latterly I have been thinking more seriously, whether it would not be expedient to pursue the subject. My mind is not yet made up.

Morning at home, fine day, walk, Capitol, House of Representatives, dull, evening with the family, Cards.

A dinner at home which passed much as they commonly do. After which I went to Mrs. Pleasonton’s where there was a large and tolerably agreeable company notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather.

Evening at Mrs. Barbour’s. The night was extremely stormy and we went in a hackney coach as the coachman had gone out. I passed a pleasant evening and had a very long conversation with Miss Brooks.

At home all day, Voltaire, letters to Richardson and George,2 evening, with the family, walk.