Morning cloudy, and threatening rain, which however did not come on heavily during the day. We had a few slight showers rather pleasant than otherwise. I saw nothing remarkable and found at my Office no occupation excepting writing out my Translation of Aeschines which lags somewhat. It is a heavy work and the more I think of my own powers, the less I feel myself able to draw any conclusions favourable to my prosecuting my design. Should the article I wrote for the North American ever appear, I shall then be better able to form some clear idea of the probability of my success.

A man named Morse called to purchase the equities of redemption of New’s estates. He wanted to make a speculation out of them and offered what I thought was very little. I told him that I could do nothing about them now. Mr. Degrand called to offer par for my father’s Stock in the State Bank, about which I wrote to him immediately.1 I do not know whether it would be advisable to sell or no.

Dined at Mr. Frothingham’s very pleasantly with my Wife and Mr. Brooks. He gave us specimens of his new purchases of wines. None very excellent, many quite good, and all cheap. After dinner I went to the Gallery at the Athenaeum and mused over the Pictures,2 the afternoon was not favourable, and on the whole I was not so much pleased 235as I expected. But I must go again. Read a little of the Works of Mr. Jefferson and returned for Abby at nine, but too sleepy to work.