Morning cloudy with a disagreeable cold Easterly Wind and appearance of Rain, but it cleared away leaving nothing but the chill in the Air. Finished my Review of the Oration of Aeschines on the Crown and found it pretty much the same in my Opinion, perhaps not quite 34so good. There is more diffuseness, perhaps tautology in it than I had thought, but this may be owing to my not sufficiently comprehending the force of words, in the original language.

Went to the Office where I was busy in reading but not to much purpose. My power of attention is almost gone, in the morning at least. Had a conversation with Mr. Peabody and took a short walk. Mr. T. Davis also paid me a long and pleasant visit.

In the afternoon, I thought I would go out to Quincy and see how things looked before my father came on. My Servant went with me to set some Fir Trees I had purchased. On the whole, I was pretty well pleased and thought that my few directions had done a good deal to make the place look on the whole better than it had done for years. Remained busy until late, and returned home calling at the Judge’s on the way to inquire for Miss Adams whom I found better. A Short Evening at home, and the Spectator.

Morning cloudy but it cleared away in the course of the day. I attended divine Service during the day and heard Mr. Frothingham preach. In the morning a caustic Sermon upon the Religious excitement prevailing to some extent of late in our Community.1 It was not in his common tone, but pungent and bitter. Perhaps well calculated. Though for my own part, I care little if the delusion is innocent in regard to others. Afternoon not remarkable.

I was informed today of the important political News from Washington of the resignation of the whole Cabinet.2 It produced a great deal of excitement and conversation as the effects will probably be felt far and wide. What the result will be it seems vain to attempt to guess. But I confess I felt a little elation in thinking that this was the party that claimed such a triumph over my father. That these were the Men who claimed to know how to administer this government, and to bring it back to its original purity. The cunning man is sometimes caught in his own trap, and may often be a useful lesson to his successors tempted by similar circumstances. After all, honesty is the best policy. Finished the first volume of d’Israeli, I shall not take up the second. Mr. Blake came and passed two hours, talking politics. Evening, the Spectator.