Fine morning. I went to the Office and passed my time very quietly reading and writing and making up Accounts. Mr. Ladd called in and 232we had a talk. He is the least punctual of my Tenants, and the most requiring in repairs. I talked to him plainly and he promised much better. I should like to get rid of him as a Tenant, and would let the House to the Steam Doctor if he would take it.

Walk. Quiet afternoon copying my letter which is a critical one. Then read more of Bacon’s admirable Treatise. Evening at home—Mackintosh his account of Hartley, Tucker and Paley. Read Walpole to my Wife.

Beautiful day. I was very busy all the morning in money affairs. After coming from Market, I called at the Commercial Bank and took up the Deposit made there two months since. The pressure for money is such here that the Cashier offered to guarantee seven and a half per cent for one year upon the sum. I afterwards had Mr. Degrand in chase for me to pay the note due at Mr. Oliver’s Office that he might have the money. I did so before twelve o’clock and felt gratified that I had been able to put a stop to so large an amount of Interest. My father goes backward at Washington, I believe, but I have the satisfaction of pushing him a little forward here.

Walk. Afternoon. Finished Bacon de Augmentis—A wonderful sketch, showing the vastness of the original mind which could embrace it. Evening at home, quiet, Walpole, and Mackintosh.

Heavy rain and the Streets in such a condition from its freezing on the bricks as to be dangerous. I went to Meeting nevertheless. Mr. Frothingham, 1 Mark. 1. 3. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” An eloquent Account of the origin and progress of Christianity with a happy allusion to it’s first starting on this shore and the anniversary of it today. Mr. Emerson1 from Colossians 1. 9–10. Too long to quote, but the substance in the closing words, “increasing in the knowledge of God.” The destruction of Idolatry, and sacrifice, and the cherishing of the immortal principle within us, he considers as the great results of Christianity. His Sermons are always interesting though often paradoxical. Atterbury. Matthew. 7. 12. “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.” The explanation of this maxim on the Anniversary 233of the 5 November. On the whole the poorest Sermon of his I have read. Finished Mackintosh. Walpole in the evening to my wife.