My health is not really good this winter, I am sure. Went to the Office, but a Meeting of the Directors of Middlesex Canal having been called I attended it at Mr. Chadwick’s Office in Court Street. The attendance was very scanty. Yet the Report of the Agent was very favourable. A dividend of twenty dollars was declared and a balance of eight thousand more, equivalent to half as much on each share, 19reserved for next year. This besides an expenditure of eight thousand and more upon new works. Two years more of success would place this property on a most durable footing. It will in all probability meet with one or two drawbacks in a few years but on the whole with the present Agent, the prospect is encouraging.

My time at the Office was short, looked over Accounts &c. Walk shortened by calling at the Athenaeum. Afternoon, taken up in reading Anquetil whose Catholic notions are curious. Evening, went to the public Meeting at Faneuil Hall. Speakers ordinary. J. T. Austin engrossed most of the time. On the whole a failure. Our people do not care much about the Tariff.1 It is not true that it would ruin them. Called in for my Wife at Mrs. Frothingham’s afterwards, took a little Supper and went home.