Morning at the Office. The day was mild and bright though the Easterly wind prevents any softness in the air. Occupied all the 214morning in reading Graham and was much interested in it. His account seems to be fair and tolerably impartial—Giving to every author in turn his due merit and correcting them properly when wrong. My mind is not firmly made up, I think or it would waver less about my purposes. This subject is I am afraid as yet beyond me. But I will persevere and finish something at any rate for myself, and then we shall see what can be done with it.

My time was very little interrupted. After dinner I went myself to the Athenaeum, where I found Chalmers book, and took the opportunity to look over all the works upon America which I could find there. My general impressions become strengthened but as yet the mass is not woven so as to bear examination. My own impression is that the New England character has not been justly appreciated, that men have taken the start in giving false and unfavourable views of the early settlers which it will take long years to shake off. But whether by previous study or occupations I am the fit person to shake it off remains to be seen. At any rate it would be an honourable quest, and peculiarly appropriate in me, the descendant of one of the clearest of its lines, not undistinguished in its history. My thoughts flow in upon me far too fast to speak them even if I would. But they are only fit for secret meditations.

The evening was passed as usual, reading to my Wife out of Eustace the splendid description of the Church of St. Peter’s at Rome. A magnificent subject. After it, I read Mr. Clayton’s Speech in the Senate,1 and a Lecture of my Father’s. My spirits today exceedingly agreeable.

Morning clear, but still having much in it of the East Wind. I went to the Office as usual and read Graham without interruption during the morning so that I progressed very rapidly indeed. One reading however will hardly be sufficient. And much reflection and reconsideration will be necessary to form any thing like an agreeable production, or even a sensible one. The task I have undertaken too is a hard one and perhaps at this stage almost sure to fail. But then it has much ingenuity to recommend it.

My mornings now pass very quietly and without disturbance. The afternoon was spent in writing and that very steadily though as usual very much dissatisfied with my first draft. To write is easy, to write well is the hardest of all things. I have nearly finished my first sketch which is rough enough. This evening, being invited to Mr. Frothingham’s I walked down and passed the Evening. Nobody but Chardon besides my wife and myself. Tolerably pleasant, but I took too much supper.