A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Diary of Charles Francis Adams, 1861

Saturday 22d.

22 June 1861

Monday 24th

24 June 1861
23 June 1861
172
Sunday 23d
London
CFA AM

I got so much interested in reading the newspapers received from home that I missed the time for my expedition in quest of a church, which after all is an unsatisfactory proceeding. The anxiety for detains in regard to the events passing in America outstrips the material furnished, and leads to great waste of time in the search. I had a visit from Mr Morgan in company with a member of Parliament, Mr Moffat, The announced the sudden death of the Lord Chancellor Campbell in the course of the night. He had entertained a party to dinner and had left the parlor at one o’clock apparently well. He was made Lord Chancellor two years since at eight years of age so that he cannot be said to have been cut off in his prime. He had invited us to dine with him on Saturday next. Sir Henry Holland came in and also Sidney Brooks, the173 latter to announce the final sinking of poor Mr Dehon. So I was right in my conjecture on the occasion of his visit on the 6th. His physical system broke down directly, and he is now moribund. He has been a faithful man in his line of duties, and dies prematurely from too sedulous a devotion to his business. I took a walk in the afternoon with Mary and Brooks to the Regent’s park, which on the whole I prefer to either of the others. The day was fine. The clouds of well dressed people made the scene lively, and a band of music discoursing excerpts from Italian operas seemed to attract many auditers. Think of this on a Sunday in New England. Yet I saw no drinking booths or intoxication. Indeed I may say that I have witnessed very little of this in the streets since I have been in London. I see much more in Boston— Yet the great numbers of sherry gin shops at all prominent corners betray the tendencies unmistakeably. We dined at home quietly and spent the evening. I finished Sir William’s production in the Essay and Review. It has ability and learning. Also I began the next one on Miracles.

Cite web page as:

Charles Francis Adams, Sr., [date of entry], diary, in Charles Francis Adams, Sr.: The Civil War Diaries (Unverified Transcriptions). Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2015. http://www.masshist.org/publications/cfa-civil-war/view?id=DCA61d174