Dull and cloudy with rain until evening when it cleared away cold. I went to the Office. Not much news excepting a change of course on the part of the Banks by which all of our most doubtful paper has been provided for and gone out of circulation. This is a great improvement and will do much to bring us back again. Call from T. K. Davis about his case, and from his father about the Lecture. The latter tells me of a Circular from the Boston Bank of a very decisive character towards the resumption of specie payments at which I am much delighted.

Home. Herodotus, then down to Mr. Brooks’ to dine. Judge Lyman, Mr. Frothingham and myself. Conversation principally of Mr. Bancroft and the Collectorship. It is remarkable how strongly Mr. B. has excited the bitter feelings of all who know him in the vicinity of home. This tells against him because after all a man’s private relations are not often sacrificed to politics.

From thence I returned home to tea and after an hour went by invitation to Edward Blake’s. This is an annual affair of his club. They play cards and have a supper. P. S. Shelton, G. A. Goddard, J. Chapman, H. B. Rogers, C. Amory, F. Shaw, J. H. Gray, J. H. Blake and D. Parkman. I have been unwilling to decline what appears intended as a civility, but after this experience do not hesitate. The smoking is very disagreeable to me and the conversation so little in my line or to my taste that I feel a little amiss in playing so stupid a part. Tonight D. Parkman’s infusion made it worse than usual. Home at midnight.