Passed the morning at home. We breakfast so late now that I have an opportunity to copy some of the Vaughan papers. And the remainder of the morning, I pass in reading the Life of Columbus to my Mother. It becomes more interesting as we proceed. Took a walk today making some stop at my Tailor’s to give him some orders. The day was very fine. My mother overtook me in the Carriage and I went to ride with her. The rest of the day passed in writing to Abby 291at New York. Evening with my father and Mother, engaged in a pleasant and lively conversation.

Morning passed at home. Copying before breakfast and talking afterwards. Received the news of the Baltimore election and were a little depressed by it’s result.1 But I obtained a letter from Abby which was much more calculated to affect me. I do not know what has got possession of her but it seems to me as if she does not consult my feelings as much as I wish she did. My spirits are exceedingly variable and this brought them down quite low.2 I conversed on the subject with my Mother who did her best to soothe me. But I wanted much more than it was in her power to give. Took a ride with her and Mary in the little Carriage, the other having gone to be painted.

On this day, we were invited to dine with Mr. Vaughan, the English Minister, and accordingly we went at five o’clock. A very large Company. Genl. Ver Veer and his daughter from Holland on a mission to Nicaragua for the purpose of a survey of the isthmus, were the Lions. Mr. and Mrs. Huygens, daughters and son, Mr. and Mrs. Clay, Mr. and Mrs. Rush and two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn,3 Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. Bankhead, Genl. Harrison, and son, (a cub), Mr. Gilmor of B.,4 Mr. Brent, Wallenstein, Stackelberg, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, and some others who may have escaped me. The dinner was as usual though not so good, and nothing remarkable occurred to me between Wallenstein and Stackelberg, excepting that I came near losing my seat. Returned soon, finding the news from Maryland much changed for the better. Evening with the family.

The days of dissipation are gone for me. The succeeding morning brings to me now, nothing but repentance. This is all new, and I cannot help feeling a sensation of regret when I reflect that the hey dey of youth, when the blood is high and the heart generous, is so soon gone with me. I have had my share of the pleasures of the senses; I 292have had to make bitter atonement; and for the few hours which seem to me at this time like the gilded clouds over a setting sun, the beauty of their colours will not repay me for the shadow they cast upon futurity. But a truce with moralizing. The truth was, I felt heated and feverish in the morning after a sleepless night, and my spirits were not good. The morning passed in speculations upon the Maryland election and in conversation of a melancholy nature with my Mother. Paid a visit to Mr. Vaughan, in return for the dinner yesterday.

My father gave a dinner today to Genl. Verveer and his daughter. The Company consisted of Mr. Vaughan, Mr. and Mrs. Huygens, son and two daughters, Mr. Clay, Rush and Wirt, Mr. Montoya, Rebello, Genl. Macomb, Harrison and son, Capt. Rogers,1 Warrington, Baron Stackelberg, Col. Croghan,2 Mr. Nicholas of Virginia,3 Mr. Tayloe, Count de Menou, and others. The dinner was as handsome as usual but nothing occurred of particular interest. The remainder of the evening with the family.