Morning at the Office and in Court. Heard an argument upon a Case which was not interesting in itself, but which the difference between the Counsel in the cause made amusing. I do not admire Mr. Rand.1 His is a mind of that narrow stamp which admits impressions out of the mere common line with difficulty. Afternoon, finished Smith and commenced Say’s Political Economy which I propose to take in continuation, but my room was not very agreeable in the high winds of this month. Evening, Pope’s Letters to Wycherley and Walsh.

Morning at the Office and in Court. Heard an Argument upon a Case relating to Nahant Hotel. As Abby had written to me yesterday, a request to come out to see her1 and I had been unable to comply, I thought I would make up for it today, and so I went out at one o’clock. The day was cold, but I had a pleasant afternoon. Mrs. Brooks has been quite sick and as usual, little has been said about it. Conversation with Abby and hopes of happiness. It is matter of great gratification to me to find that I have been so well and so cheerful for so long a time, and have had very few dull forebodings such as formerly. I hope strongly though I confess I had a little return this evening. But it was only momentary and my mind made a successful effort to resist it.

Returned to town this morning without accident. Found a letter for me at the Office from my Mother giving an account of her present situation but not saying a single syllable about her probable time of departure.1 Then in Court, heard a case argued upon stoppage in transitu. This occupied a larger part of the morning. Afternoon, Say’s Political Economy and in the evening, Pope’s Correspondence with Ladies, which is particularly conceited.

Morning at the Office and in Court. Found a case of but little in-360terest and did not remain but looked into Blackstone. Afternoon, engaged in Say. His reasoning is clear after reading Smith, though I am disposed to think it incorrect. I was much shocked today by receiving the information of the death of Dr. Gorham, after a short illness. This seems like something entirely foreign from the course of my ideas and only serves to suggest the reflection of the very slight nature of our tenure of this life. But this is a hackneyed subject, and though the idea is one at all times fearful, the expression of it has become commonplace. In the evening, I was more interested than I have been in the Letters of Pope.