The morning was cloudy but it cleared away in the course of the day. The wind being West for a short time but in general more to the Eastward. I occupied myself for a short time in Italian and then began upon a new undertaking, which is a regular Catalogue of my Library or rather the books under my care.1 This is a thing I have been in considerable want of for some time past, and I think I can make it without very seriously interrupting any of my more valuable occupations.

At the Office. Read a little of Gibbon but far the greater part of my time was expended in a ramble with Mr. Peabody whereby I lost the presence of a Tenant at Quincy, Field, and as usual I had a fit of repentance.

Returned home and after dinner went to Quincy, accompanied by Isaac Hull. After arranging with Mr. Brigham and receiving from him the amount due upon the Canal Notes I went to the House and was 284busy there until the time to return. Reached home late and fatigued. Read only the Rambler with a little of Walter Scott.

Clear but cold. After passing the morning hours in reading the Life of Napoleon, and doing something towards my library Catalogue I attended divine Service and heard Mr. Frothingham in the morning, Mr. Gannett in the Afternoon. Both upon the Resurrection of our Saviour—It being Easter Sunday. Mr. F’s Text was from Luke 24. 5–6. “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” It was upon the custom of reverting to the period of death without any practical purpose to the living but I must admit that as usual it quite escaped me. I cannot do any justice to it in an analysis. Mr. Gannett gave from Acts 2. 24. a short and well combined narrative of the facts attending the resurrection after which he drew an application to the immortality of the soul, not from the mere fact which he seemed to think insufficient but from encouragement it held out to faith. His manner is exceedingly unpleasant, and his style is a little too ambitious for his own power to display it. But I thought his Sermon in itself interesting.

Read one of Massillon’s afterward, upon the Injustice of the world to the character of good men. Text, John 9. 24. “Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, “Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.” His division was 1. That it was great rashness to ascribe bad motives where good ones could be inferred fairly. 2. That it was inhumanity, for even we ourselves might need the shelter of the virtuous. 3. It was impiety as discouraging from all hope or practice in religion. I thought this was the third good practical Sermon in succession in Massillon.

Evening quiet at home. I continued reading the Life of Napoleon which grows more English every day. This evening I resumed my reading of Paley with the second part.

Morning at the Office. Hard frost last night by which all the vegetation must be somewhat retarded. I finished the Peruvian letters with which I have on the whole been pleased.1 The idea is purely French. The Peruvian is somewhat civilized and exceedingly delicate. 285But the observations are frequently just and the style has much of feminine sentiment. I was pleased.

My time at the Office was taken up by Accounts. Mr. Spear called to pay me from Quincy and I was thus relieved from a great deal of the pressure which I have been experiencing. Took a short walk. Joseph H. Adams came in from Quincy today for the purpose of starting for New York upon his final expedition for some time to come in this Country I hope.2 He goes out in the United States. I gave him advice, and one or two letters,3 with money enough to go to New York. This took so much of the Afternoon, that I devoted the little balance to my Catalogue.

Evening at home. My Wife having gone out to visit with her father, I read a large quantity of the Life of Napoleon and worked on my Catalogue.