Morning still colder. I went to the Office. Occupied in Accounts. I have no time for the Parliamentary Debates. Completed the payment of my little bills and took a walk.

Dined at Mr. Frothingham’s—Mr. Brooks, P.C.B. Jr., my Wife and myself. We had a very pretty and a very pleasant dinner. Little or no restraint. Returned home notwithstanding an invitation to Mr. Brooks’ in the evening—It being too cold to remain out late.

Evening Patronage and Adam Smith.

Governor Davis has arrived and made his Speech1—A string of common places with some very false, incorrect notions about the currency. So it seems to me. I said so at dinner perhaps very imprudently. Many men might suppose it the result of pique. The truth is he is a much overestimated man. He has conducted himself with discretion and he is thought a genius. My father is a genius, and he is not prudent. He is therefore undervalued.