Memoirs of John Quincy Adams - Comprising Portions of His Diary From 1795 to 1848 #255331

Boston, 22d. — This morning I took a walk with Mr. Foster round the town, and witnessed with delight its great increase and improvements during the eight years of my absence from it. The Central Wharf, New Cornhill, and Common Street are three great masses of buildings erected within that time, and there are so many others of less extent, but contributing equally to the elegance and comfort of the place, that they compose scarcely less than half the town. The only alteration which I perceived with regret was the demolition of Beacon Hill. I went with Joseph Hall to the State House, and paid a visit to Governor Brooks. Hall intimated that the committee for arranging the toasts had some thoughts of toasting me by name at the public dinner, with the expectation of my answer ing the toast by a speech, according to the English fashion. I entreated him, however, to dissuade them from it, disapproving as I do the practice itself, and feeling the danger and incon venience and impropriety there would be in speech-making at public dinners for a person in the station that I am to assume. Hall was fully satisfied with the reasons I gave, and promised to take care that the arrangements should be made accordingly.