Pleasant day. I read Wallenstein and then to the Office. My time taken up partly in Accounts, partly in attending a sale of Stocks, and partly in writing upon my piece of work. The last French Packets give accounts of the recall of the French minister and of the dismission of Mr. Livingston. The inference here seems to be war and I attended the sale for the purpose of observing the effect of the panic. It was considerable but did not affect the prices generally. I tried to do something but without success.

Continued my Essay upon Education. Walk. Then home where I read Ovid. Afternoon, the papers and de Grimm. My Wife went with her father to Medford. I read until my eyes troubled me. This is the first winter I ever experienced an inconvenience of this description.

Conversation with Mr. Brooks about French affairs. He like all men of property feels alarmed. I believe the only way to maintain the dignity of this country is not to allow itself to be trifled with. France has acted in a manner shamefully wrong and the sense of it ought to be expressed by this Country. General Jackson can do it. But if my father had done it, what a hue and cry there would have been. Wallenstein.