Fine day. Distribution as usual. Evening, visit Mrs. Blake’s.

At the Office where however I had a visit from I. Hull Adams which disabled me from doing any thing about Burr. Communicated with him respecting the affairs of T. B. Adams but settled nothing. Time in fact wasted.

Continued the Trachinians, and after dinner the pursuit of knowledge. A man may be learned and not be useful. The thing is to combine the two.

In the evening Mrs. Adams and I called at Mr. Otis’ to see Mrs. Ritchie but finding her not at home we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Blake, with whom we had a very pleasant evening. And looked over some engravings of Paine’s. There are a collection of Morghen’s which are very valuable.1 Heads of painters most of whom however I have in 213the British Gallery, the collection of which is at Quincy.2 Home at ten. Sparks.