Fine day. Read in the morning Tocqueville, many of whose opinions are in a very high degree offensive to our National pride and would be so taken were it not for the air of candor and philosophy pervading it. Yet I think him profound.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt preach all day. Morning from John 6. 53. “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” A Sermon for communion day. Afternoon from Deuteronomy 6. 6.7. “And these words which I command thee this day Shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up.” Mr. Lunt is a very elegant and sensible writer, but my head is not exactly in train to gather what he says.

Mr. Degrand came out after service and sat with my father until evening. I read one of Sterne’s Sermons upon the forgiveness of injuries illustrated by the example of Joseph. Genesis 50. 15. “And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evils which we did unto him.” Perhaps the most distinctive of Christian doctrines and the one most requiring force upon human nature.

After tea, walk with the family up the hill. Many people go there on Sundays to see the prospect and examine the progress. Mr. Beale and his daughter passed the evening.