Morning in Court and at the Office. Read the Massachusetts Reports as usual and passed a useful morning. The weather was severely cold but clear and pleasant, otherwise. Abby was in town but I missed seeing her. Afternoon reading Mr. Pitkin, the first years of the Federal Constitution. Evening reading Dr. Johnson’s Life of Frederick of Prussia and Mr. Boswell. The day on the whole very profitably employed. I am better satisfied with my present way of life than I have been with any for some years past. It meets more my idea of what is a man’s duty to himself. My reflections are all agreeable, and though few of the more violent gratifications of life come to distract the equa-325nimity of my spirits, yet I will willingly forego them to be rid of the distressing excess on the other side. My feelings have undergone a decided change for the better ever since I commenced this Volume.