Very cold for the season of the year. I went first to Market and then to the Office. Received a letter from my father mentioning his being indisposed and obliged to remain absent from the House for a few days.1 He speaks encouragingly of my efforts which is some comfort as certainly there is no great amount of that article granted to me.

I received the answer of the Merchants Bank which was a refusal to me of the smaller amount and an offer of 7000 which I refused. I called upon Mr. Tucker and released him from all further engagement. The remainder of my morning was passed in Diary &ca. Called at the Athenaeum and procured another volume of the Duchess with which we hope to go on, but it is the eighth. Then home where I made very good progress in Livy—His speculations upon the possible result of an attack upon the Romans by Alexander the great. Afternoon, Sismondi and Fouqué.

Evening, family at my House—E. Everett and his Wife, with A. H. Everett and his Wife who are staying there, Mr., Mrs., and T. Frothingham and Mr. Brooks. Edward B. did not come, nor P.C.B. Jr. and his Wife. The introduction of strangers at these parties is a novelty not entirely relished, particularly A.H.E. who has made himself obnoxious to my Wife’s relations by his political course.