The weather has been moderating gradually until it has become a complete thaw. It rained today with a Southerly wind and set the Streets afloat. I went to the Office. My time taken up in writing.

Called at the Savings Bank and detained there much longer than I expected by the crowd of applications as Depositors. This is a singular and probably one of the most beneficial Institutions which we have. It contains much of the hard earned savings of the poor consolidated 55for their benefit as well as for that of the enterprising classes of the Community. I made my Deposit for the Nursery Maid of my Wife and gave notice of my intention to draw T. B. Adams’ fund next week. Then a short walk, but it rained too hard to persevere.

Met one of the granite blocks to be used for the New Court House.1 It was coming in from Quincy on a Sledge drawn by sixty seven yoke of oxen and a dozen horses. This one weighed fifty seven tons. This is the progress of American Wealth and Enterprize, and for the benefit of our town of Quincy. Read Ovid.

Afternoon. The Letters of the three brothers Lee—Men of some value during the revolution but who suffered by being involved in the crimination and recrimination of parties. Franklin was the great grievance with them. Evening, finished the Life of Sir Thomas More—An admirable character representing the true state of a virtuous hero.