Clear and beautiful day. Office. Division as usual. Evening at home.

My time at the Office is so little improved that I must set about some novel plan of occupation. The accounts from Washington are not very favorable to a plan of general organization. The disputed seats of the Jersey members remain still the great obstacle, aggravated by the refusal of the clerk to move one way or the other. Nothing further. Home to read Hecuba.

Afternoon, Bancroft. I can hardly yet make up my mind as to the merits of this work. I see unquestioned industry and some enthusiasm but no nice discrimination in moral questions, and some self conceit. I should rely upon his facts but distrust his philosophy and his inferences. Evening, Frank to the children, and Nicholas Nickleby to my Wife. After which, working upon my very interminable Lecture.