Morning at the Office, nothing remarkable occurred. Conversation with George. My mornings pass away most unaccountably. But little 193actually done. The afternoons though short are those parts of the day which are most useful to me. In the evening I occupied myself in writing a letter and Records and in reading. After going to bed, was roused by the alarm of fire which so startled me that I started off and saw the whole of it. It was a house on Washington Street in the south part of the town. I did not get quietly asleep until two in the morning. The blaze of this fire produced a beautiful effect. The clouds happened to be low and rather of a thin kind. So that the flame tinged them all with a pale red. It was very light to go to the fire in consequence, but when the cause of the illumination was discontinued, nothing could be darker. The firemen displayed a good deal of intrepidity in saving a house which was so entirely on fire when I first saw it that it seemed impossible to me to prevent it’s complete combustion.

I finished the letter to my Mother commenced last evening.1 Then went to the Office but my time slipped away without my doing much. Weather very rainy. Received a note from Abby2 intimating that it would be more proper to stay in town this week, by which I understand that Mrs. Everett is in momentary expectation of being confined. As with such a catastrophe I should be as little desirous of being in the house as they would be to have me, I am content to remain in Boston for the first time since my residence here on Sunday. Busy in copying during the afternoon and in the evening quietly at my room, reading Plato and copying Executive Record. Received a letter from my Father.

Went to Meeting this morning at Dr. Channing’s with Miss Harriet Welsh and Mrs. Barrel. Heard him for the first time in my life. He is considered the first Clergyman here. I was pleased with him and on the whole felt satisfied with having heard him. His subject was Religion. Dined with George and the Welsh family. In the afternoon went to Brattle Street Church the first time for many years. Heard a Mr. Barrett there but did not admire him.1 Evening at Dr. Welsh’s excepting an hour at home upon Vivian Grey.

Morning, a short time at the Office. Went then to see Abby at her 194sister’s, and passed the afternoon with her. Mr. Thos. Welsh sent for me to intimate that I had talked George too low for that he had inoculated his friends with the same notion of despair in regard to political affairs. This gave occasion to an idea that I might write something which could bring up the spirits of the Party. But the vis is not in me and prudence also would forbid. But something of the kind is undoubtedly necessary. Abby wished me to remain with her so I broke my engagements at the Moot Court for the first time, and passed a much more agreeable evening with her.