The day was tolerably pleasant notwithstanding a cold Easterly wind that prevailed for an hour or more. I went to town. My time engrossed as usual. Called twice upon Mrs. Frothingham on my Wife’s account, dropped in for a moment at an auction and engaged upon Accounts. Collected some Dividends, among others that of the Columbian Office which turns out remarkably well. This is about the sum total of the Account that I can give.

Returned home at my usual time but the Afternoon was not profitable. Mr. J. H. Foster and daughter made a short visit to the family. I made a little progress in Henderson but I want a Map. In the evening, my father and I went up to Mr. T. Greenleaf’s—A strawberry party of 106Quincy people. The fruit was good and we got along on the whole amazingly well. Returned early and I read the Observer. Not a very profitable day.

This is the first really pleasant day we have had for a considerable time back. I staid at Quincy and occupied myself in my usual way. Read Horace, the Journey to Brundusium, which has no claim to be called a Satire. I then made some progress in Neale although his Account is uninteresting from its sameness. Hutchinson to the close of Bernard’s Government. He had more than his match. The power of the British Government had little or no support when support was of consequence. And perhaps the mode of treatment was not quite decided enough.

Afternoon, finished Henderson’s book upon Wines which I consider as a very valuable work and supplying a void in literature. I have received many new and cleared many formerly received ideas. He has not gone sufficiently into the modes of preserving and improving wines, situation &c. which would have added a practical value to his work.

The public is now expecting the visit of the President here for which many preparations are making. General Jackson conquers every thing.1 I read a few of Madame de Sevigné’s letters, but on the whole was idle.

Fine morning. I went to town. My time divided between my house which I visited to get a book, my Office and the Athenaeum To read seems to be a thing out of the reach of common probabilities in a morning, and the consequence is a considerable waste of time. But I find myself far more callous to the neglect than I ever was before. My exertions have resulted so very little to my satisfaction, that I am now content to swim with the stream.

Returned home to dinner. Afternoon rather wasted. I read an Account of the state of Knowledge in England in the earliest times, being the preface to the New Annual Register in one of its early volumes. This is not doing much.

The ladies went out to tea, and in the evening my father and I called at Mr. John Greenleaf’s to see Judge Cranch who has just arrived from Washington. He was out. We saw Mr. Greenleaf and Mrs. Dawes, 107This house is just as it was. Not a sign of improvement. Every thing going to ruin. The family lift up their hands, helpless and submissive. Energy is a plant of tender growth, but for success in life it is absolutely indispensable.1

We went from here to Mrs. Adams’ where we found Judge Cranch and his Wife, Mrs. Greenleaf, Mrs. Angier and Joseph, her brother, Miss Miller and Miss Beale. Passed an hour, and return. Began the second volume of the Observer.