Browsing: Diary of Charles Francis Adams, Volume 2

Morning to town but rather late, having to copy and prepare a number of letters for my Father, and making also some final arrangements before leaving. At the Office, found a Woman there about that business of Farmer’s which is disgusting and disgraceful and the less I see of it the better. Though he is a troublesome and dangerous animal. I wait only for the passage of time. I was then engaged in performing all my other little duties previous to my Marriage. Renewed a policy of Insurance upon the Tenements in Common or Tremont Street for my father and obtained some necessary articles of dress. Drew Accounts due from the Tenants particularly from my very good friend Mrs. Longhurst. Another quarter. She notifies me she will send soon. Thus passed the morning.

In the afternoon I went to the House and filled my last book case. There is much left, which I know not what to do with. And my room is full already. So that I must sell or send them to Quincy. I incline to the opinion I shall try the first and what I cannot sell, I shall send. { 431 } It was a great Parade day, and many people were upon the Common, and the Cannon were noisy.1 I became exceedingly fatigued for it was late before I had finished. This being the last day upon which I shall attempt to exert myself. My books must hereafter be all of them rearranged. For I have at this time followed no method. Enough for the present. I am sick and tired of the Job. I then rode to Medford. Found Abby as usual but I was so tired that I could not exert myself to be lively at all. This made her dull, and we had so stupid an evening, that I concluded it was best to put an end to it early so I retired to bed at a little past nine.

Morning, early return to Boston calling upon Mr. Bartlett on the way and obtaining the Medford Certificate. The weather was exceedingly warm, and sultry. I wrote my Journal and walked up to the House to see how it looked. But nothing was changed since my visit of yesterday. The workmen not having as yet arrived. I lounged here for some time, Mrs. Frothingham, Mrs. P. Chardon Brooks, and Miss Phillips having come to do their share towards beautifying. Being tired of Indolence I then went down to take a Bath, and enjoyed a great luxury in a warm one. My system seems to be a little out of order by my trip to New York and I thought this might be a benefit to it. I enjoyed it much. Thence I went to my Office feeling very languid. The heat was greater to my feeling than at any other time this season. The air being a hot South wind.

I went to Quincy to dine, it being the last day upon which I shall probably be there in a similar way. In the afternoon I was occupied in packing my things and making the final arrangements here. I regret a little leaving here and this way of life for with many disadvantages it has some pleasures and not a little Independence. But I have views and objects in life other than this loose way allows, and I have affections which are worth cultivating now if ever. My father may miss me a little but my Company has been but little to him this Summer and he has become so attached to his way of life that it has nothing to require in addition. I copied a letter from him to Col. Knapp1 and performed the few last duties which will fall upon me for the present. Evening, rain and lightning after the great heat, the clouds { 432 } passed however, threatening much but performing little. Conversation with my father—Persico and the ornamenting of the Capitol. Few people in this Country are aware of the fact that he is the source of all that is ornamental in the Statuary sculpture about the Capitol. Persico has done well in executing the ideas not his own but how few here know or would give credit if they did to the source from whence the taste really proceeded.2