A very heavy rain with Easterly wind. My cold oppressed me so much that at first I felt doubtful about going out, but finally concluded to do so but at the same time to decline dining with Governor Everett as by invitation. Office where I met A. H. Everett. Talk with him about sundries. Then Diary.

Mr. Ayer came in for some money to carry on his work and I made him a further payment. As we were talking a Mr. Robbins of the firm of Leighton and Robbins who had sold through Mr. Ayer some lumber to me upon which there was a balance in dispute, came in and we talked it over. He tricked me into advancing money without performing his part of the engagement which was a discount. He was very impertinent, and I had rather a trial of temper, but I subdued it and upon the whole felt some little cause for congratulation. This matter of temper is a study. Mr. Foster afterwards came in to receive some money on account of Mr. Angier and thus went the whole morning.

Home to read Homer. Afternoon, Burnet. But I was interrupted by Sayer, the Cabinet Maker with patterns, some of which I picked out and gave him orders. Evening quietly at home. Moore’s Life of Byron to my wife, after which read Thomson’s Castle of Indolence.1