A clear day at last. But the streets presented the appearance of winter with the quantity of ice in the streets and the immense icicles pendant from almost every house. Went to the Office and pursued quietly the study of Sir James Mackintosh whose book, I am sorry, is nearly finished. My quiet is perfectly preserved. I have not a soul to see me. This though it argues me unknown and unheeded is yet an exceedingly pleasant thing, for it avoids all the roughnesses of life which I see so thickly spread around more distinguished characters.

Walk, partly with Edmund Quincy. Afternoon, Anquetil, and Voltaire’s History of the Parliament of Paris,1 which I take up to understand the nature of that body and to explain some parts of Anquetil’s work. The History of the Fronde is highly interesting.

My Wife went out to tea, and I took up a MS volume of my Grand-30father’s upon the negotiation of 1783, containing the copies of all the Papers.2 That is a great subject in itself. I believe I must take it up in a scientific methodical way. Went to P.C.B. Jrs. Family and nobody else. Pleasant time. Home at ten.