Very mild with a Southerly wind and rain. I went to the Office and passed my time in reading and Accounts. Read the second part of Mr. Binney’s speech upon the Bank question, and it seems to me that I have not lately seen a finer specimen of statesmanlike skill and manner.1 To be sure, his subject was fruitful. Conversation with my new Tenant, Mr. Walsh. No walk, owing to the weather.

Afternoon. Read the Tract upon the conspiracy of 1825 in Russia, published by the Court constituted under the orders of the Government. It’s exposition of the connexion it had with Freemasonry is curious. Virgil.

Evening, I was invited to go and meet a party of young gentlemen at the house of my friend Blake. There is a sort of club consisting of W. E. Payne, H. B. Rogers, C. C. Tucker, Jon. Chapman, Henry G. Chapman, F. Shaw, Edward Blake and his two brothers who meet at each other’s houses. They play Whist and have a Supper. I do not exactly understand my position in this business. I was received and treated with very great civility by all the members. But I should not wish to belong permanently to any such association. The character of the conversation did not appear to me to be particularly exalted nor even profitable. I nevertheless enjoyed the evening and could not help feeling sensible of the very kind manner in which I was treated. I did not return home until nearly twelve o’clock, not wishing to break up a party at which I was only a guest.