Morning pleasant but with a remarkably smoky atmosphere which seemed very much to intercept the rays of the sun. I amused myself reading Miss Martineau. Her descriptions of scenery and manners form the most pleasing part of her work. You do not so often have occasion to notice the person who is speaking, to think that she is deaf, opinionated and conceited and has the restless character of mind pe-267culiar to women who think themselves profound. She thinks women should participate in politics, which they are now doing extensively in this country, somewhat, as I suspect at her instigation. Slavery is the great topic for her to enlarge upon.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt from Matthew 22. 30. “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven,” and in the afternoon from Romans. 4. 18. “who against hope, believed in hope,” but as usual when I get out here I lose all possible control over my mind. Country life has its pleasures and advantages but one of the difficulties is it’s tendency to unsettle the thoughts.

Mr. Degrand was here in the afternoon. I read a sermon of Sterne’s from Job 2. 10. “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil also?” An endeavor at explanation of the passage that gives rise to this answer, and then a view of the heathen philosophy of consolation under adversity, contrasted with the maxims of religion—a good discourse. Evening walked with the ladies of the family to see Mrs. Adams. Found Mrs. Angier and several others. Indeed a roomfull. Home shortly after nine.