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.

Morning cloudy but it cleared away. This is the case now every day. A cold East Wind rises and prevails during the course of the Sun over us. After beginning Demosthenes upon the Crown I went to the Office but the News from Washington prevented my sitting down to any thing. I had quite a conversation about it with Mr. Peabody and the rest of my time excepting what was necessarily spent in my regular avocations, was wasted. This is too bad, for all the Administrations that ever were made can have no interest to me compared to my time. Took a walk and returned home.

After dinner, continued and finished the Oration for Plancius but determined to give it a faithful Review. It strikes me as one of his best. His observations upon Popular humor are excellent and for every age. These are the only ones worth writing. What is the fame based upon trifles of the day? It is not worth the labour it requires to obtain it.

Evening at home with my Wife, read to her a part of Moore’s Life of Byron. Interesting but very immoral. I was struck with Moore’s own immoral tone. Afterwards, I began Captain Franklin’s Second Journey to the Polar Sea.1 And the Spectator as usual.

Morning fine with a clear cold air from the Eastward. This weather for such a succession of days has put the Country and the season back to its common place. I read a portion of the Oration for Ctesiphon with more ease than I had anticipated. Then to the Office where much time was wasted as usual in talking, and I accomplished only a little of my review of La Politique Naturelle. Nothing else material took place. Took a short walk and returned home to dine.

After dinner, as my Study was in a state of confusion from cleaning which it very much needed, I went to the Athenaeum, and sat down 36to a very deliberate examination of Mr. Gallatin’s Article upon the subject of the Bank.1 It is a very elaborate performance and so long that nearly three hours of reading did not complete it. I was therefore obliged to reserve the balance for another opportunity.

Returned home calling by the way at the Post Office, where I received a letter from my Father dated Baltimore, and informing me of his progress.2 He says he shall reach Quincy tomorrow but I doubt it. Evening. Read to my Wife a part of Moore’s Byron, and afterwards continued Captn. Franklin—and the Spectator.