Day pleasant. Distribution as usual. Evening Mr. Brooks.

I was at the Office where I again attempted to finish my letter but was interrupted by Deacon Spear who came from Quincy and settled matters of accounts due. This with the reading of the Newspapers consumed my time. I suppose it is important to keep up with the times but it consumes a great deal of valuable time with little apparent result.

The accounts from Washington appear a little more favorable to a settlement today. But there is no knowing. Afternoon, reading a volume on Banking by Mr. Raguet of Philadelphia which Mr. Hunt has sent to me with a pamphlet by Mr. Sullivan.1 Evening, Mr. Brooks came in and passed a couple of hours, after which I went on with my Lecture.