Fine day. I read Benjamin Constant. Divine Service all day. Heard Mr. Frothingham from Genesis 2. 17. “The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” He gave to it a figurative meaning which I did not fully take and which I did not much admire. That experience gives a knowledge of good and evil is true, that man should be forbidden to touch experience seems to be only reasoning in a circle, for experience must come from something and it is necessary to explain what that was—Apple or something equally palpable.

Mr. Gannett in the Afternoon. Matthew 6. 13. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” This is a text of some difficulty at all times. Mr. G. makes it to mean trial in order that we may avoid evil. The common view is, Suffer us not to be led into temptation, and I think it just and reasonable. “Deliver us from evil” then means exactly what it says. The Lord’s Prayer strikes me as a perfect formula. One which supersedes all Prayer excepting that which may arise from special occasions of distress. Afternoon, Atterbury, Matthew 11.3. “Art thou he that should come? or do we look for another?” The Mes-279sage of John the Baptist and the manner as well as matter of the reply. A very slight composition.

Evening, we went down to pass the Evening with Mr. Brooks, Mrs. Everett. Mr. and Mrs. J. Bradlee came in and passed a part of it. Conversation general and not particularly interesting. We returned home at ten, but I do nothing afterwards, excepting my regular Chapters.

Fine morning. I went to the Office after a visit from Mr. Stephen Whitney. This is a member of our House of Representatives from Deerfield. He is one of the leading Antimasons in that body, and came to me to get a draught of a bill copied which the Committee were to offer as their measure to suppress Masonry. This bill like all the other Papers on this subject was drawn by Mr. Hallett. Although the humble business of copyist was not very flattering to my vanity, I yet thought it prudent not to decline the offer, and consequently spent two hours of my morning in executing a copy. As Mr. Whitney had at the same time requested any Comments I might make, I added some and sent them to him.

Walked down to see some furniture and a House designed for Mrs. Ritchie, but not occupied by her. Mr. Otis wishes to sell it, far above its value. I was not struck with either, though the situation is pleasant.1 Afternoon, finished the first Volume of Benjamin Constant, and also the Phormio of Terence. I have been much pleased with this author. His Comedies appear cold to us, but there is every difference in reading and acting. I was struck with that in Rule a Wife and Have a Wife. My Grandfather has written Notes to accommodate us which I have transferred into my copy though I do not think them quite just.2

My wife went out to Tea. Mr. T.K. Davis called for an hour. I then went to Mrs. Frothingham’s. Family, part, and the Sumners and Miss Julia Gorham and Miss Anne Carter. Home at ten.