This was the day appointed according to immemorial custom for the annual fast—One of the practices of the puritans of whom I am reading.1 I did not therefore go to the Office, but passed my time in reading the ninth and tenth books of Robertson. They are written with a great appearance of fairness but he did not feel the great points of character he was describing, and his inclination is rather to slur than to praise.

I attended Divine service at Mr. Frothingham’s and heard a good Sermon, to which however I could not listen, perhaps from my unfortunate habit of inattention. This practice of fasting is now in a great measure done away. Few people think it proper to pursue it and perhaps as the circumstances of the Country are changed it is now without what was once its most rational purpose.

The remainder of my day was passed usefully in reading Graham 209in which I made considerable progress and in writing a little upon the subject. It is useless to read much without writing, for the impressions soon wear away from the mind unless stayed by some attempt to fix them more permanently than reading will do. The subject of our ancient history makes itself on the whole much more interesting to me than heretofore, and I think I shall follow it with much more earnestness. No person in this Country who professes to be well informed should be ignorant of it, and I who call myself a young man of distinction should be least of all so. Looked into Marshall’s first volume and found myself following implicitly Robertson and Chalmers.2 The more I see of this work, the less I think of it. Judge Marshall has however revised his first work. Evening, Eustace to my Wife, and afterwards my father’s Lectures. This is a day delightfully spent. How far preferable to the disgusting troubles of the world, yet it cannot always be enjoyed and perhaps the mixture gives it a keener relish.

Morning at the Office. The day promised fair but became gloomy and cold. I passed the larger part of my time in reading Marshall. The prolixity of his volume makes it tedious. I feel wearied by its minuteness, though the importance of the period to our History makes it necessary. The subsequent time makes very evident the influence which the division of parties at the early period of the Administration of Washington, has exerted. It is to be felt now, as the principles of contest between the parties are effectively the same—The same division between the friends of the national and the friends of the State power. I was occupied in this manner the whole time, excepting a small portion in which I called upon Mr. Brooks, and went to the Estate at the South end, to see about a partition wall which was thrown down in the gale the other evening.1 After arranging it’s repair I walked in and made an arrangement with Miss Longhurst to settle her rent by taking her Note, which finishes that business.2 I then walked to the Washington Bank to receive the Dividend upon the Boylston Market Stock which was four dollars upon the Share, being quite a comfortable thing at this time.3 This is excellent Stock.

Thence back to the Office. As this was the last day to which entry 210could be delayed, I was compelled to make up my mind what to do in Whitney’s case. After much doubt and hesitation and misgiving, I at last concluded to go on. I hope I did right, but right or wrong, I mean to pursue the best interest of the employer. The issue is not with us. I trust to a higher power. My own judgment will often be found wanting. John Gorham dined with us, and after dinner I finished Graham’s first volume and the Account of New England. I then read the Account of it in the “European Settlements,”4 and part of Mr. Webster’s Plymouth Oration, which does not seem to me to treat the subject exactly. The Evening which was to have been taken up in reading Eustace, was passed in conversation with Edmund Quincy who came to visit us.