Morning cloudy and damp. A Southerly wind with sultry weather. I went to the Office and was occupied in various ways, writing my Diary &ca. I had a short time to read an Article upon the Life of Chief Justice Jay which was indescribably tame.1 If Mr. Everett thinks he can maintain a Review with this sort of fence riding twaddle, I should think the best thing to happen would be it’s failure.

Owing to the state of the weather I did not walk. In the Afternoon at home. My Wife dined downstairs for the first time today. She seemed much fatigued by the exertion. I read a part of the Legislative Investigation into Masonry as published by the Antimasonic party. 194This is for the purpose of digesting the ground of the Memorial I shall perhaps have to prepare. It is as well to begin early and go over all the ground often. Evening, my Article which I am spoiling at least for the taste of the North American Review. Lounger. On the whole, I do not improve enough my time.

Morning foggy with easterly wind. I began reading Virgil’s Aeneis having finished the Georgics. A peculiarity of the ancient works is that one never tires of reading them. The same beauties stand out in bolder relief every day. I find the Poetry of the Georgics more exquisite than ever. The high polish, the ease and facility with which the versification is conducted, and the beauty of the thought are now and must remain unequalled monuments of ancient mental exertion.

At the Office, read an article upon Homer from the North American Review.1 There is a good deal in it. Parts of it remind me of Mr. E. Everett’s Lectures upon that subject, but it is more decided in the expression of opinion. I took a walk but did not feel the full glow of health. If that is going to desert me, then shall I suffer a real evil.

Afternoon reading over the Legislative Investigation, which to be sure puts an odd face upon affairs. This subject of Masonry is one of the most distressing that has arisen in our times, principally from the palpable truth it contains conflicting as it does with men’s habits and prejudices. I have taken my side. The result must be that my personal prospects are destroyed. But it was not possible for me after once I had examined to balance. Luckily my pecuniary circumstances are not liable to suffer extensively from this cause. Even they however are not out of danger.

Evening, writing on Hutchinson. Paid a Wedding visit of fifteen minutes to my friend Edmd. Quincy’s bride.2 He has passed the Rubicon. I hope the chances of life will turn to him favorably. There was much company. I did not stop.

Morning fine and tolerably warm. I read some of the first book of Virgil’s Aeneid and went to the Office. Mr. Peabody called in and 195asked me to take a walk with him. We went over Craigie’s bridge to Charlestown and home again. Nothing particular—Conversation about politics and general subjects.

On my return found Kirke in with the Carriage and my Mother. I started to see her, but as I wished to call for a moment at the Advocate office, Mr. Hallet stopped me to talk upon several points of importance. The consequence that on reaching home I found her just starting. She informed me of the death of Thomas J. Hellen, in Fairfax County Virginia, of brain fever after two days illness.1 Poor fellow—His life was thrown away in nothings. His mind was constituted so peculiarly that the ordinary considerations which act upon men very feebly influenced him. The world will bear no traces of his existence and his friends will feel no grief at his loss. He had been in life a cipher.

I took a ride in the afternoon to improve my digestion. On my return, sat down and put the finish to my Article upon Hutchinson. I then commenced a series of political papers for the present election. Mr. Hallet wished me to take up some subject and I selected the one of Antimasonic Proscription.2 Wrote till midnight.