I read this morning the little fragment upon Faust left by Lessing which is said by Madame de Stael to have furnished the idea to Goethe. His plan has it’s merits and beauties. It is not liable to the objection of Goethe’s, for it has a beautiful moral, but to bring this about an effort of imagination is necessary. An unreal Faust is exposed to the machinations of the Devil which is telling the story at the outset, and no interest can attach to the hero. Here Goethe’s plan is the best.

At the Office, then walk with my Wife to a China shop to make some purchases for her New Year’s presents. This prevented my usual exercise. Home. Mr. Brooks dined out. I had a quiet afternoon. Read over the Correspondence of Mr. Jay and Mr. King which contains little of much interest. I am almost discouraged by the mass and confusion of the MS. And I have not room enough for their arrangement.

In the evening I accompanied my Wife and Mr. Brooks on an evening visit to Mr. & Mrs. W. Pratt. These are persons who have lately purchased Mr. Cushing’s house in Summer Street and though retired in their habits, possess the surpassing merit of wealth. I found there the gentleman and his lady a niece of Col. Pickering whose picture upon the wall struck me much from her resemblance to it, three 42maiden daughters and William who is the only one I ever knew at all before.1 I got through pretty well. Disappointed in the appearance of the house which has cost so enormously. It’s simplicity amounts to baldness. Home.