Morning cloudy. Went to the Office as usual, but being about to try to make a settlement with all the little outstanding debts to this 189concern, I accordingly went out to see about it. First I went to see if I could not save by a threat a little remnant of Miss Longhurst’s debt to me. Wales was the person, a dealer in dry goods in Washington Street.1 I talked with him but the result was not encouraging, and for fear of getting into a useless passion about it, I retreated. The effort will not cost much, and it may save a trifle.

From thence after dropping in, to see the condition of the Houses I returned home, to my Office, where for the balance of the morning, Mr. Miles Farmer annoyed me exceedingly with his account of the affair still pending between himself and Storer. The former has been imprudent and the latter rash, and thus every body is to suffer from their folly. I talked with Farmer very rationally and tried to convince him that the best course was to wind it up. He appeared half inclined to listen to reason, and half to passion. I still hope it will be arranged. Received a Note from Miss H. Welsh requesting the payment of the debt due to her from my brother, which I answered forthwith.2 My troubles now are considerable. I am involved in three suits at law, and am without funds to meet my father’s debts. A most unpleasant situation. But I hope for the best and anxiously look for the clouds to scatter. After dinner I read Demosthenes, my study for this afternoon is easy. Received a letter from Miss Longhurst,3 trying to get me this money, but I am afraid it is too late.

Went down to see that all was safe at the Store and Office. A violent Storm came on with very high wind and rain, which beat fearfully all night. I was in great dread for my responsibility, but the evening was passed quietly and pleasantly in reading Lalla Rookh to my Wife,4 whom I am teaching to like Poetry. Afterwards, Campbell’s Rhetoric.

Morning at the Office as usual. The weather was still rainy but cleared up bright at noon. My time was very much broken by interruptions. Farmer came up and went on with his long story and tired me to death. I told him to be gone, as he was prosing away more than ever. But the thing does not appear to be nearer settlement than ever. The lawyers for the parties have acted very handsomely and it is quite a relief to be treated by persons of such a character. Farmer is such a 190poor Tool that I do not imagine that I can be easily rid of him. Mr. Cruft came up to make inquiry about the way to forward a letter to John, and he sat here with me for an hour or two in which time I consulted him in respect to the character of the Atlas Insurance Company, in which I contemplate investing a trifle.1 His account of it is very favourable and may probably decide me. Mr. Spear the Tenant of the House in Tremont Street No. 2. came to finish off, and so we completed the Leases and that business. He takes possession Monday. Some others called making application for houses which were soon settled, but on the whole I had very little time to myself.

The afternoon was passed in reading Demosthenes, which I did with much satisfaction—Though I have been so much interrupted as to make the impression of the Oration as a whole very feeble upon my mind. How many interruptions I have had, and how many disagreeable things are now on my mind.

The repairs on the Store being finished I went down and notified the President of the Mutual Office of the fact, and requested him to call and see it, which he agreed to do.2 He is a very disagreeable man to me. I went to see the store, and found Cruft, for whom I did his little business. Evening, reading Lalla Rookh, not so interesting as yesterday evening, but still rather pretty. Afterwards Campbell’s Rhetoric. But all my studies are now somewhat interrupted by my anxieties about temporal affairs.