A cloudy day with a Southerly rain before night. I went to the Office but was very much distracted most of my time. Mr. Walsh came in for a little while, then a request from the Quincy Canal Proprietors to draw a couple of petitions for them in time to send out by the Stage in the afternoon, then A. H. Everett who has just returned from Wash-207ington. I wished to have some talk with him in order to know how matters really stood at Washington. He seemed on the whole not much pleased with the result of his visit and apparently in an exceedingly doubtful state what to do. I told him very frankly what my feelings were, and that the little confidence I had in the course of the Administration was made less by the course of his appointments. He said that it would be advisable to wait and whatever was done, to act with consultation.

I was detained at the Office late but finished the petitions and sent them. Afternoon at home, Burnet and Forster whose second volume I finished. Notwithstanding the rain, my Wife and I went to Mr. Russell’s Concert. His voice did not appear to me in so good tone as on Tuesday, but still he sings very charmingly. I was particularly pleased with “Come, brothers, arouse” and the Song of “Figaro.” He was assisted by Isenbeck on the flute and Kendall on the Clarionet who played variations, which however skilful, I do not call music. Home before ten. About as large a company as on Tuesday.