The morning opened cold and dark, the weather moderating produced snow, and the day was dull throughout. I went to the Office but was not occupied so pleasantly or properly as I might have been. Mr. Gilbert called to let me know that he declined taking the House owing to the high rent, a thing I very much regret though I do not see how I can diminish it more in conscience. I then went to inquire how Mrs. Brooks was. Mr. B. seemed much discouraged and told me to go and ask Mrs. Frothingham to go out to Medford with him which I did and then returned to give her consent. I do not know what to think of the case, but I cannot help feeling as if it was not yet so bad.

Mr. Curtis called to see me to let me know part of the scandalous transaction of Petty Vaughan and the course thought advisable to be taken in the case by Mr. Lowell.1 Josiah Quincy also dropped in, for a minute only and did not seem able to say what he wanted. Returned home and passed the afternoon reading Mitchell’s Translation of the Knights with Brumoy’s remarks upon the same Play. There is great spirit in the Translation though the Comments upon republican usages are altogether unjust. He gives a dash, I notice at the Americans in one of his Notes, though manifestly ignorant to a great degree of our Institutions.2 This rather affects the correctness of his inferences in the others. Yet he is amusing. As to the merit of Aristophanes I have not yet made up my mind, but La Harpe’s opinion is deserving of consideration. My Cold was very severely upon my Chest all day, but I 143felt on the whole better. I read aloud to my Wife in Clarissa in the Evening. Edward Brooks and his Wife called to tell us his report from Dr. Stevenson, which was rather encouraging.3 I then read part of the Clouds of Aristophanes.

Morning bright but cold. The severity of our Winter is coming upon us quite rapidly. But it is now so far in the Season that luckily it cannot last very long. I went to the Office as usual, and was occupied in making up my Accounts and those of the agency. I called upon Mr. Brooks to inquire how Mrs. B. was and was told she was much the same. But they had hopes that she would now improve. I then went to pay Hilliard and Co. their Account against myself and my father. This being done, I went back to my Office and was called upon by Richardson who sat for half an hour talking but apparently in rather low spirits—His father being about to go away and leave him in charge of the family.

Mr. Tenney came up to tell me he had not got his security but would shortly have it and spoke so well and so confidently that I thought myself foolish for having got into difficulty about him. I think I have got rid of that concern. Now still remains the one in Tremont Street, and these Offices, which are matters for future meditation. Mr. Curtis also came in to show me Mr. Lowell’s Opinion about Mr. Boylston’s affairs. It is clear but a little discouraging. Returned home and after dinner occupied in writing a revised copy of my Essay in a book,1 and continuing the Clouds of Aristophanes. A most singular work—Especially the passage inserted in the middle of it, which would lead one to suppose that it belonged to some other Play, and requires many more perusals to become master of. Mr. Sparks then called upon me to 144ask about the papers copied, and left some which I looked over directly. They contain nothing but what is creditable to him in an extreme degree,2 in my mind. His patriotism was not exceeded by that of any man during the whole of our revolution. I read in the Evening a part of Clarissa Harlowe to my Wife though my Cold was so severe that I was unable to do more than grunt aloud. After she retired, I went on with the Wasps of Aristophanes.