A cloudy day with snow towards evening. I went to the Office where I passed my time writing Diary and reading the North American Review. I was much uninterrupted and wrote a short letter to my father.1 70The election for Senator went on today by the action of the House of Representatives. John Davis was again elected though not without losing all his ground for he had but one over the necessary number. What will be the result is yet uncertain although I rather think that the Senate will be overborne by the impulse of the Webster influence. The effect will not be likely to be favorable to this gentleman’s prospects. It will be no great compliment to any body after being thus bandied about. But to my father who has no personal hold upon the affections of the members, it is somewhat flattering that he should be stronger than the man who defeated him on a popular election two years since, for the Jackson votes are given to Mr. Davis, and they make a large part of his vote in the lower House. Let the result be as it may, I am content, only trusting implicitly in the Deity that he wills for our good.

Walk. Mr. C. Geitner stopped me to ask for some repairs and I accompanied him to his house where he lives in strange bachelor style. He has a fancy for collecting silver plate, all of which remains quietly in his trunk untouched. Home. Read Ovid and finished the third book of the Fasti.

Engaged to dine at the House of Mr. Inches. Mr. Brooks also but he declined going. Mr. Inches is a member of the Humane Society who give each other dinners. There were present today, Capt. B. Rich, Dr. Robbins, Dr. Bigelow and Dr. G. Heyward, Governor Davis, Messrs. Lothrop and Parkman, F. C. and J. C. Gray, F. J. Oliver, and R. G. Shaw. The thing was very dull to me, not to speak of the slight awkwardness of meeting Governor Davis, under existing circumstances. This however proved trifling, as I expected. But I have no partiality for this kind of dinner. Home early and quiet.