Morning cloudy with snow. I went to the Office as usual. Engaged in Accounts and making up that of T. B. Adams for the half year, to close which I transferred to him a share of State Bank Stock. But I could not get time to finish a copy for him. Walk, and to the Athenaeum, but found nothing there that I wanted. Home to read Livy in which I make progress and find myself improving in my general knowledge of Roman Institutions thereby. Afternoon passed in reading and in arranging the Treasury papers which are not extensive. I do not find much in them of consequence. Wolcott was a worthy man but not a very shining one.

Evening went with my Wife to a party, a certain Dr. Jackson and his Wife with her Mother, friends and acquaintances of my Wife’s family. They live in Hanover Street and are in a circle of persons with whom we have no acquaintance. I found myself almost wholly unknown and my reception was not such as to be very agreeable. The union of pretension and vulgarity was somewhat striking throughout the evening. I try very hard to be republican in all my habits and feelings but other people will not let me be. They make the arrogant distinctions. I went only to please them and finding how little satisfaction it gave regretted my not pleasing myself by staying at home. Returned not before I wanted to.