Morning cloudy and cold, with a slight snow. I read the second volume of the reminiscences of the Rhine the first of which I went through some time since.1 It is a pretty little thing by some lady who has amused herself creditably in describing as she has seen.

Attended divine service all day at Mr. Frothingham’s Church and heard Mr. Walker from Psalms 40. 7–8. “Then said I, Lo I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me I delight to do thy will O my God: yea thy law is within my heart.” How far this may be said of Christians, and of what it consists was the substance of the discourse. Amos 4. 12 “Prepare to meet thy God.” Not by sudden repentance but by a life of piety, not by patching in a piece as in an old garment but by making it complete. Mr. Walker delivers his Sermons well and his writing is clear and impressive. But it wants grace, nor does it contain much of novelty in the thought.

I took my usual walk and read a Sermon of Dr. Barrow from Psalms 64. 9–10. “And all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.” Six points. 1. That men should consider wisely. 2. fear God. 3. declare his work 4.5 be glad and trust 6. glory. The whole applicable to the famous historical incident of the Gunpowder plot. There is more substance in this discourse than I have yet perceived in the Author. The first head embracing the discussion of God’s special Providence agrees so nearly with my peculiar opinions upon the subject that I could not help admiring it. To argue that God does not direct the world seems to me to destroy religion. And although for the best of purposes we cannot see it, it seems to me perfectly clear that if we wish to do well, we ought constantly to believe in it. Evening 78quiet. Mr. Walker dined here. Read the life of Schiller which is very interesting.

Dark clouds and sleet or hail. Too cold to snow. I read a little of Kotzebue but I do not make much progress. Office.

Received a long letter from my father,1 principally in relation to the Senatorial election in which he appears to take great interest. But I should judge from his words that he has no expectation of success. Every engine of party warfare has been put in use against him. The old federal feeling which in the last resort is always appealed to has been stirred up effectually by the accidental coincidence furnished by the French Speech. I wrote an immediate reply2 stating as fully as I could the Story of the whole affair. He will find little in it to make him feel agreeably. For from the beginning it has been a selfish intrigue on the part of persons who owe something to his kindness in bygone days. I have uniformly trusted that the result would be for the best.

This consumed my morning and I did not walk. Read Ovid. In the Afternoon Ancient Treaties, and de Grimm. Evening finished the life of Schiller. This is a book with a good deal of merit. Its criticisms are good and it’s philosophy warming. If now and then it’s language is a little strained and the tone perhaps exaggerated, this is the only defect I see in it. Kotzebue.

Dark with rain making the Streets exceedingly disagreeable. I read enough of Kotzebue’s Story to find that his heroine was seduced and immediately put the book in its case for the purpose of taking up Schiller’s Wallenstein. Office, Mr. Walsh came in and talked about French affairs. I wrote my Diary and a good deal upon the College matters not taking my usual walk on account of the weather.

The House of Representatives again went into an election of Senator and chose Governor Davis by a much increased vote. The Stories that were circulated reinforced by a rumor that my father is hostile to Mr. Webster’s pretensions have had their effect in driving the timid 79brethren into the net. Well, so be it, as my father says. I have no doubt it is designed for the best. My father may do the Country better service in the House.

Read Ovid, and in the Afternoon continued the work of assorting papers which is drawing to a conclusion. Read also de Grimm. Evening, the town much excited by the arrival of the news of the Presidents message having arrived in France and of it’s reception by the press. The tone of the Papers is angry but evidently a little uneasy and alarmed. Collision certainly seems probable but I do not think it will take place. France must understand us to be in earnest and then perhaps we may go on. I read part of the Article Bacon in the Biographia Brittanica1 and Wallenstein which is difficult.