Fine day although the weather is growing colder and more in accordance with the season. I went to the Office, and into State Street to collect Dividends. Heard of the suicide of A. Richardson, Grocer and man of property. This spirit of selfdestruction is growing very prevalent in the Community and displays the existence of something wrong. Is it not that we are straining the cords too high. We are too grave a people. I believe that man’s mind cannot stand long the pressure which unintermitted attention to any single pursuit whether money, religion, education, or any other good thing brings upon it.1

Mr. Bailey called upon me and read a letter he had written to my father. He suggests a middle course, not to decline but to affect to decline, and that not until the selections have been made.2 I told him my objections which appear to me to lie on the face of the plan. I had no walk. Afternoon, Bacon and Virgil. Evening finished Smith’s Moral Sentiments. Racine to his son, very good.