Morning fine. I went to town. Engaged all day in Accounts at the Office so that I remained steadily occupied at the Office and in one duty. As usual at the end of the year I am balancing my books and as usual there is a slight error of a few cents which embarrasses me. This keeping of Accounts by double entry is a vexatious affair.

Home to dinner. Afternoon reading Pliny. Much fine sentiment in his letters but a little too stiff and apprêté for epistolary style. Grahame. Evening at home. Very quiet. The town today all agog with the news from Washington of the defeat of the subtreasury bill. It seems the Administration party broke down by a most decisive vote, for which I for one cannot say I am sorry.