Morning cold with an Easterly wind and a heavy rain. Went to the Office and passed my morning in reading Marshall attentively—My time having little interruption. A little shocked at the blindness with which such a man as Judge Marshall has followed the English Writers, without appearing to think that he is committing gross injustice to the character of his Countrymen, and still more disgusted that he should have been willing to praise them as he does, in his Preface. But it takes much time to become perfectly disenthralled from the mental after the civil power of others has been defied. We have long ceased to obey their Officers of War, or Peace, but we still remain subjected to the decided dogmas of their High Priests of Literature. How long this may endure it is impossible to say.

The rain passed away by dinner time. Afternoon occupied in reading Chalmers, whose misrepresentations provoke me exceedingly. He makes a most unfair representation of the early History of New England and puts in his wise saws and modern instances with the feeling of a man berating his enemy with reproachful words, rather than talking calmly of the history of the past.

I finished an Article in the Quarterly review upon Dr. Dwights Travels rather more good natured to the United States than such usually are.1 And was prevented reading Eustace by the appearance of Edmund Quincy who spent the evening here.

Morning clear and mild. Another of the delicious days we have had this Spring. I have never known a pleasanter season in this Climate, and though the rapidity of the advance may check the fruits by a return of frost, I yet cannot help feeling as if we were fully paid for the risk perhaps for some loss. Called to pay a bill for China made a present to Mrs. Walker by my Wife at the marriage of the former. An old account. Then to see about the Horse of whom I received a most discouraging Account. I fear his case is decided. Then to the Post Office where I received from my father two letters—One returning the Bond executed,1 the other inclosing two Pamphlets and a most bitter Satire upon the powers of the Nation.2 I have rarely known him to deal in such excessive gall, but as it is only to me, the thing matters 229little. I should hardly feel desirous to have it disclosed to the world for they would attribute it to a motive which is far from the operating one.

Mr. Kinsman came in to pay me a debt of Mr. Ayer which I had ordered to be sued.3 The writ settled the thing, and I believe it is all I now have to trouble me. Patience and perseverance have thus carried me through all the embarrassments of this season. My Agency affairs are on infinitely better footing, and I have cause to thank God for guiding me in the straight path which has brought me nearly out of my difficulties.

My time passed away rapidly in this way and I did not have a moment for Marshall. Afternoon taken up in writing a reply to my father which was tolerably good though infinitely qualified from his severity.4 I say tolerably good but I hardly dare to think so. Evening very short, read a little of Eustace to my Wife and afterwards Chalmers.