Day cloudy with rain. I passed some time in reading part of Hugo’s Notre Dame, a very singular production of the modern or romantic French School. Attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham preach from Isaiah 22. 24. “They shall hang upon him all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.” A singular text and no less singular application. He commenced with the dependence which exists upon a large body of many smaller ones, or rather in proportion not so much to their size as to their position. The nail for instance of the text supported many vessels of various sizes and so the Christian faith carried with it many abuses. He alluded to some arising from old habits and prejudices, recurring with some severity to the observance of the Fast.

Mr. Walsh was not with me today. After a walk, home. Afternoon, 2 Corinthians 4. 8. “perplexed but not in despair,” a discourse somewhat 225adapted to the present state of the commercial world. He drew reasons against despair under great embarrassments, from three sources, the changeable character of human affairs always inspiring hope, the character of the mind, and above all the special injunction of God. A very good discourse.

I afterwards read one of Sterne’s Sermons from Luke 18. 14. “I tell you this man went down to his house, justified rather than the other.” Very short and directed to the inutility of forms, as exemplified in the parable. I read more of Notre Dame and at home all the evening.