Morning mild and pleasant but it afterwards clouded. I went to the Office and occupied myself mainly in writing. Mr. Walsh came in and talked. The political news continues remarkable. Mr. Van Buren ap-135pears likely to lose Georgia and Indiana. He is nevertheless in all probability elected. North Carolina has decided the question, but the success of his Administration is another and a totally different thing. I have made up my mind to do what I think right. At any rate, under such circumstances, I shall have my conscience clear.

Short walk and home. Livy. After dinner I attended the funeral of Mrs. Julia Robbins. I could not help remembering that the only time in which I was at this house was thirteen months before when this poor girl was married. The same scene, the same performers, but alas, what a different purpose. The world has passed on already and records only the departure of another mortal, but those who are in it look back as upon a dream on the purposes of her existence and submit with resignation to what they cannot understand. Dr. Palfrey made a long prayer in which he dwelt upon all the relations of the deceased in turn. There was much in the prayer that was good but simplicity of feeling was not it’s characteristic. We then followed the body to its final resting place and departed each to his home with minds impressed more or less by the lesson we had been taught.

My Wife was anxiously expecting me home to hear my Account of the closing ceremony on her most beloved friend. It is a little singular that my Wife should have been taken sick exactly at the same time and should have been prevented from witnessing any portion of the final scene. In this I view as I do in all things the action of a superior power which guides and guards us without our knowing how. I am religious because I am grateful. Evening at home. The Court Journal, and afterwards writing.