Cold and cloudy. Time disposed of at home. Evening at the Mansion.

Much of my morning was given to the beginning of Tucker. I wrote about three pages of review and that was all. But with me the cost of the first step is according to the French proverb.1

The Great Western has brought us news from Europe of a very important kind.2 Every thing within a few years has tended to some great 245explosion in that quarter, but it is impossible to foresee exactly when it will take place, or how it will affect this country. Perhaps the immediate operation will be beneficial, if it brings over capital to be invested here. On the other hand if simply a creation of debt is the result the effect is more questionable. The Bank of England has raised the rate of interest in consequence of losses of bullion, this puts a stop to our loans and shuts up the remedy which we had against the rise of exchange.

Read a little of Lessing and 300 lines in the fifth book of the Pharsalia. The ladies went to Boston. My boy John still suffering from his cold. Evening at my father’s, returning however pretty early.