Cool but pleasant. Went to the Office and from thence to the Athenaeum where I spent nearly all my morning. Read the remainder of Mr. Redding’s book upon Wines which is pleasant enough. He recom-276mends strongly the French products but displays such a scene of cheatery of Foreigners as to discourage any one from buying them. The English from their love of strong liquor are however more apt to be deceived than any other Nation—And we through them. Read an Article or two in the Periodicals and found my morning gone.

Walk. In the Afternoon, copied a letter into my book commenced last Summer, of the correspondence of J.A., but since I have had these letters bound and put into a durable shape my zeal flags. Wrote a short letter to my mother,1 sending one of her commissions by Mr. Oliver who goes tomorrow morning to Washington on the Committee to take the Memorial.2 Evening at home, the story of Ennui and German.

Dusty. Office as usual. I brought down a volume of Jefferson’s Memorials to read but did not open the book. I had several Commissions in different places which took up my attention. Waste. Waste. Shall I ever do any thing more? Walk with Edm. Quincy who for a wonder talked politics. There must be something of an excitement to do this.

Home. Afternoon, Benjamin Constant upon Religion. A great deal of good with some questionable matter. But the style makes the reading a charm. Began the Phormio of Terence, the last of his six plays. I have gone through them fast. Read a speech of Lord Castlereagh in a volume of British Pamphlets, my Wife being out at tea. Evening quiet. Went down to Mrs. Carter’s for my Wife at eight, Miss Julia Gorham and her brother Gardner. Returned at ten.

Fine day and mild as May. I went to the Office. Occupied in my Accounts and paying off as many of my engagements as possible. This took me some time. I had some to spare for Jefferson’s Life which I began. I wish to read this with attention and observation.1

Walk. Afternoon, Constant who begins his system while he attacks the habit of system making. Phormio of Terence and as my Wife was out a Speech of Mr. Canning upon the Congress of Verona. It is on many accounts very remarkable. There is some prophecy in it. A person in considering the present state of things feels almost sick at heart. The democratic principle is sweeping with such ravages over us. Mr. Canning foresaw it.

Went to Mrs. S. Gray’s in the evening—The family, and Mr., Mrs. and Miss Sumner. Cards and light supper. On the whole we got through the evening very well. Home by ten.