Fine Morning. I attended Divine Service all day and heard Mr. Green preach from the famous Address by Paul to the Athenians. This is the same man whom I heard on the 26 of February last, and have spoken of in this Journal. He sustained his reputation with me and perhaps increased it a little. His Sermons were somewhat Sectarian it is true, but his reasoning on the whole is good. His argument against the Trinity from the fact that Paul omits all notice of it in this explanation of Christianity to the Athenians, was curious and striking, though not conclusive.

Mr. Degrand came out and dined. In the afternoon, I continued my Analysis made of the Sermon on the Mount, without progressing very far. Evening, Mr. Beale came in. Conversation.

Inasmuch as my horse was quite tired by the amount of his work during the last fortnight and as my occupations did not prevent me from indulging, I remained at Quincy all day. Time occupied in reading the remainder of the life of Cromwell. I have lost my interest very much in my undertaking. Probably the whole thing will end in nothing. My time here is now not at my own disposal. I have not the quiet which aided me so materially in the commencement of the Season. Yet it is with regret that I give up undertakings of this kind, for I am advancing in life and they are the only means by which I can make any corresponding advance of character.

Afternoon, resumed Seneca. This break occasioned by my absence has done me much mischief. In Seneca I have lost the thread and it is almost useless for me to go on. A studious man never should allow interruptions in his occupations unless he has so arranged them that they divide nothing in halves. Evening quietly passed at home. Nothing took place of any consequence.

Fine morning. I remained at home very quietly all day. My time was taken up partly in writing a slight and poor beginning upon Cromwell, partly in drawing off a sketch of some ideas for the Newspapers. I did not succeed very well in either of these attempts from numerous interruptions which took place. Finished Mr. Noble’s sketch of the Protector with that of some of his family. He ought to have some credit for rearing his children carefully. They do not seem to have 354possessed any portion of his energy of character, and considering the temper of the nation, perhaps it was as well for them.

After dinner read a little of Seneca. My father seems now to begin to take interest in the biography of my Grandfather and to feel a disposition to file and arrange his Papers. If this should come to any thing I shall feel obliged to turn my attention again to them after having given them up some time since in despair.

Evening, I accompanied my Mother and Wife in visits to Mr. Whitney and his family, and to Mr. Miller’s. We got home by nine o’clock.