If one should judge of the month by the weather, one might readily suppose that we had committed an error in calculation, and that February was just beginning. The Thermometer was at zero this morning.

I went to the Office and was engaged as usual in accounts, diary and a little of Gouverneur Morris. Mr. Sparks is again at his tricks about 43the negotiation of the French Treaty. He seems determined to exalt Franklin and Deane at the expense of my Grandfather. Such is history. Even posthumous fame depends upon the miserable conceits of this or that prejudiced brain.1 I reflected upon this during my walk, and upon the stormy life led by my father and grandfather. They sacrificed much for the benefit of the Country, and the Country has in return held them to a far more severe account for their private faults than it has felt gratitude for their public services. That such a man as Jefferson should be an idol and my Grandfather detested—That Jackson should be lauded to the skies and my father persecuted is perhaps a hard measure of justice between the merits of the men.

Afternoon, finished Anquetil without regret. Began the Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz.2 There is a vast deal of knowledge of the world and profound remark in his book. Evening quiet at home. Burke on the Sublime.

I was detained all the morning in the Supreme Court Room because I wished to obtain admission as a Counsellor, not that I have any object in it. My practice is nothing, but I wish at least to retain my standing in society.1 A cause upon the nature of the liabilities of a master for his servants’ acts was interposed so that I was not released until one o’clock which is my regular time for walking.

Met E. Quincy. He informed me of the death of young Joy which I was very sorry to hear, although he was only an acquaintance.2 Afternoon, reading Cardinal de Retz whose book is in many respects charming. He was an accomplished rascal, and a dangerous one inasmuch as he had many merits which concealed and palliated his faults. He writes in a way to show his fairest side, yet a little reflection will show that his foundations are all rotten.

My Wife went to Medford in the Afternoon, and she and I went to 44a party at the house of Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Lowell.3 It was handsome. I enjoyed myself about as much as usual and returned home before midnight.