The day was cloudy and dull. I went to the Office and passed my time in sorting the papers which have been accummulating upon me for a long time past. I used to think that in the disposition of my things I had a good deal of method but subsequently I have had great cause to change my opinion. Nothing seems in it’s place, and it is a constant work to put them in order.

Mr. Degrand called and after conversation I concluded a bargain with him for Thomas B. Adams Jr. to buy with the balance of his money, some Fire and Marine Stock.1 But the rate was very high. On the whole however, my Morning was wasted very much. These Carpenters in the Entry disarrange every thing. I am ashamed of my way of spending time, and discouraged at my ill success. Returned home.

Horatio Brooks dined with us. I am sorry to say he seems to like my House too well. Afternoon reading Cicero, but the matter was a little more difficult. The many shades of questions can hardly bear to be so nicely subdivided as they are by him. They will not remain in the 343memory, and are subject to be altered by circumstances. Evening Corinne and Mason’s Life of Gray. After which Symmons’ Life of Milton and the Tatler. The former is a little ultraliberal in his politics, to an extent that sometimes shocks me. Yet generally I agree with him.

Morning beautiful and mild. I went to the Office as usual, and passed my time a little better than I have been in the practice of doing heretofore—As I was able to read and complete the first Volume of Minot’s Continuation. A work I hold in very little estimation from its apparent labour in doing nothing. A history should have substance not be like a shadow always eluding the grasp. To be sure he has also the least interesting period of our history to deal with.

I was unavoidably occupied in trifles some part of the day, but this I never expect to get over. It seems the tax usual upon a man with an Office of his own. Returned home and passed the Afternoon in reading Cicero as usual. Completed a considerable portion but was stuck at one or two passages. This is always the case upon a first examination. Horatio Brooks returned and spent the evening so that our regular avocations having been interrupted I thought I would take the opportunity to finish Symmons. He is too abusive. I think he has the right side but does not manage it adroitly. His book is however on the whole interesting. Afterwards, two numbers of the Tatler.

Morning clear again after the showery weather which came on last Evening. I went to the Office as usual, but passed a large portion of my morning at an Auction Room. The sale of the library of Edward J. Lowell took place today.1 I could not help moralizing when I thought of the difference which had taken place between the views this young man had held out to himself and the actual state of things. It is melancholy to think that all our hopes and wishes, our ambition, our useful exertions hang upon so frail a tenure as human life. Lowell was a young man of great promise, few in this Community stood as high as he. He is now a fit subject to point a moral and adorn a tale.2 I bought little or nothing as his books sold high.

Completed the purchase and transfer of the Fire and Marine Stock and settled several demands against my father and myself. After din-344ner, finished the second book de Inventione and resumed the same to review. My aim is to master the subject in all its forms.

Evening, went to Faneuil Hall to see and take part in a primary Meeting of the People.3 It was large and respectable. Mr. J. B. Davis, A. H. Everett, Austin,4 Gorham and Sullivan addressed the Meeting, and generally with more power than I had expected. On the whole, it was a favourable specimen of a Caucus, better than any I had seen.5 Mr. Webster was received with great acclamation. He adjourned the Meeting, and I returned home to find my Wife suffering severely from one of her remedies.