A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Diary of Charles Francis Adams, 1865

Saturday 4th

4 March 1865

Monday 6th

6 March 1865
5 March 1865
224
Sunday 5th
London
CFA AM

A clear morning, but the west wind is cold and blustering. To Church in the City. This time it was St Clement’s, Eastcheap. Plain exterior. The interior in Wren’s intermediate manner. A gallery on one side, supported by Corinthian columns. The ceiling carved with round arches over the windows most of which were however hilled up. The chief light from the east end, was abundant. A heavy altar piece— And a a good deal of carving in the wood work of the pulpit, pews &c all of dark oak with the sides panelled likewise. An organ gallery over the west end entrance. A very elaborate circle or wreath of fruit and flowers in the centre of the ceiling. On the whole, cheerful and impressive. This is the last but two of Wren’s designs which I have not visited. Service as usual. Sermon on death, appropriate to the loss of a person understood by me to be the last Parishioner. As the pulpit was225 draped in black I presume it must have been some Officer of the Church. Nothing could be more commonplace than the treatment. About thirty persons in the pews. At home. I was absorbed in the American newspapers until half past four, when I went to the zoological gardens. The air too chilly for enjoyment, and the animals seemed torpid. Met the Prince of Wales with ladies, in the most unassuming style possible. I did not distinguish him until I was upon the party. Mr Alward dined and spent the evening. Mr Barles and Dr Evans from Paris likewise came in. Wrote a note to Mrs Adams inclosing Charles’s announcements to all the family.

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=DCA65d064