Chapter 14 Dilettantism (1865-1866) Summary

Charles Francis Adams is on firm ground in 1864, with the results of the war and with Lincoln back in office, and is looking forward to going home in 1865. His son Henry gets a chance to act again as a son, escorting part of his family on a 6-month trip through Italy while they recover from an illness. Lincoln is assassinated while Adams is in Rome. The Legation stays on in London; Andrew Johnson can't spare time and attention to change the diplomatic corps while trying to deal with the situation at home.

However, Adams needs a new education. His time with the Legation is drawing to an end. The Law is closed to him because of his experience with diplomacy, but diplomacy is also closed to him because, as his father points out, he could never get a post...