This is by appointment the day for the regular annual fast. Accordingly I remained at home and read German. My Wife still suffers from her cough far more than I wish she did. The day was one of the few really lovely ones which we have in the Spring, and I enjoyed it the more because I was a little threatened with head ach, which would hardly have given way to any other air.

I attended Divine service all day and heard in the morning Mr. Frothingham. Joel 2. 13. “Rend your heart and not your garments.” And in the Afternoon Mr. Lothrop from Matthew 5. 16. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The contrast between the Sermons is sufficiently illustrative of that between the men. The first refining, appropriate, speculative; the latter, common place, sensible and superficial.

I took a walk overtaking two young ladies—passed time in conversation—Miss Eliza Dehon and Miss Grant. I am not much of a ladies’ man, but can serve upon a pinch. And these were tolerably agreeable. I read Marmontel and de Grimm. Nothing material took place. Evening continued Wilhelm Meister.