The weather is moderating gradually and continues bright and pleasant. I began Goethe’s Götz von Berlichingen but read only one 52scene of it. Office. Mr. William Spear from Quincy called upon me as usual for the purpose of making his Quarterly settlement. I attended a sale of Stocks for the purpose of making one or two purchases on my own and T. B. Adams’ Accounts. This done I returned and completed my Diary &ca. For the first time since the day I started for Washington, exactly two months ago I had a head ach—The consequence of overeating and drinking yesterday. Even a long walk and the fine air did not restore me. But a moderate dinner and a short nap had the effect so that I passed my evening in scribbling. I have been over half a quire of paper and have as yet produced nothing to my mind.

Mr. Brooks was out until late. I went over a file of Dr. Rush’s Letters in which are many very characteristic anecdotes and sprightly observations. I must make some farther investigations into the character of Dr. Rush. Read part of Sir James Mackintosh’s short biography of Sir Thomas More—A little gem to be found in Lardner’s Cyclopedia.1 He was not valued at his worth by his own generation and it is a little doubtful whether he will go down to posterity. For most of his works are but the fragments of a great whole which he did not live to make out. Indulged in a little of d’Israeli’s third volume, but the Items were dry. My evenings are of some advantage to me this winter.