The Education of Henry Adams · Chapter
XVII: President Grant (1869) explained
Henry Adams reflects on his early days in Washington during the transition to President Grant's administration.
What happens
Henry Adams reflects on his early days in Washington during the transition to President Grant's administration. He contrasts the social ease of Washington with the strenuousness of Europe, noting his own ignorance and the simplicity of society. He begins writing financial articles for the Edinburgh Review and launches a series of political reviews for the North American Review. Adams observes the political scene, the swarm of office-seekers, and the character of Grant through the lens of his friend Adam Badeau, who provides a nuanced portrait of the President as an intermittent, passive, yet powerful figure. Adams finds Grant a curious study, akin to Garibaldi in his intellectual opacity.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Self-Formation
Adams reflects on his lack of education in Washington society, especially regarding women and social graces, and his literary work as a form of self-education.
Power and Force
Badeau's analysis of Grant as an intermittent energy, passive yet powerful, explores the nature of political and military power.
Social Class and Identity
Adams contrasts the simplicity of Washington society with European grandeur, and notes the social hierarchy among diplomats and office-seekers.
The Failure of Leadership
Grant's administration is viewed with uncertainty; Adams and others wait to see if Grant will fulfill reform promises, while Badeau's portrait hints at a leader who is reactive rather than proactive.
Characters to notice
- Henry Adams
Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his education, social life in Washington, and his literary work on finance and politics.
- Adam Badeau
Lives in the same boarding house as Adams; provides intimate analysis of Grant's character and habits.
- Ulysses S. Grant
Newly inaugurated President; observed by Adams as a curious, intermittent, and passive figure, compared to Garibaldi.
- Charles Sumner
Senator; his private secretary Moorfield Storey is mentioned as a frivolous influence.
- Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar
New Attorney-General; his son Sam Hoar is noted as a frivolous example; Hoar himself is seen as a potential friend.
- Henry Reeve
Editor of the Edinburgh Review; publishes Adams's article on U.S. finances.
- Hamilton Fish
Secretary of State; seen as conservative and deferential to Sumner.
- Giuseppe Garibaldi
Compared to Grant as the only other man of similar intellectual type Adams has met.
Key passages
“He had no adequate notion how little he knew, especially of women, and Washington offered no standard of comparison.”
Adams was acutely aware of his ignorance about women, but found no way to remedy it in Washington's provincial society.
Reflects Adams's self-deprecating view of his social education.
“Badeau's analysis was rather delicate; infinitely superior to that of Sam Ward or Charles Nordhoff.”
Adams considered Badeau's insights into Grant's character to be more subtle and accurate than those of other observers.
Highlights the value Adams placed on Badeau's perspective.
“A single word with Grant satisfied him that, for his own good, the fewer words he risked, the better.”
After a brief exchange with Grant, Adams concluded it was wise to keep conversation with the President to a minimum.
Illustrates Adams's perception of Grant's inscrutability.
