My Wife found herself quite unwell this morning and was confined to her room most of the day. I went up to see the painter and from thence to the Office where I followed up Accounts. A. H. Everett came in to talk politics. He seems dispirited by the blow from New York. He now says that the course of Mr. Van Buren was opposed by all of his cabinet. A poor consolation for the mire into which the whole party is cast. We were interrupted in the midst of the talk by Deacon Spear about Quincy matters, and afterwards I went to the Athenaeum to return some books. Herodotus which becomes more easy. Afternoon, Correspondence, and evening, working at last upon the proposed biographical notice of my Mother.1

Morning cloudy with a little rain, but it cleared away. My Wife seemed very unwell and was confined to her room all day. After wasting some time in looking over some of my Mother’s papers, I attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham in the morning from Matthew 11. 15. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” A curious discourse to which I was not able to attend as much as I should have done.

Home to a solitary dinner after calling at the Post Office. The Whigs are full of the victory obtained in New York. It seems that the revolution there is complete and that hardly enough is left of the Van Buren party to form a nucleus for next year.

Afternoon young Mr. Dwight from 1. Peter 2. 17. “Honour all men.” A discussion of the question of rich and poor and the artificial distinctions of Society, proceeding upon the assumed basis that the man who works for bread is a slave if he works for a particle more than his daily share. This young man is neither solid in truth nor wise to preach to such a congregation.

Walk with Mr. Walsh who was at meeting and he came home with me to tea, after which I walked with him down to Faneuil Hall to witness the proceedings of the democratic caucus. The hall was filled but very manifestly by more than the party. A certain Mr. Thomas a hatter made a bitter speech full of nothing but malice. He was followed by a naturalized Scotchman named Kelly who had all the spirit of the Eng-344lish radical, and by Hallett whom I left speaking. It was manifest that discouragement prevailed.

Home where I kept company with my sick wife. Read a sermon of Sterne upon murder. Exodus 21. 14. “But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile, thou shalt take him from my altar, that he may die.” This is a crime which hardly needs the censure of the pulpit as it is abhorrent from every feeling of civilized Christianity.