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.

The Season just begins to show signs of moderating. It is somewhat late in the month of March to do so, but in this as in many other things it may truly be said, “better late than never.” The preceding is a very silly remark.

I went to the Office. No news from home. Occupied as usual. Mr. Sparks gives me more of a trial of patience than he deserves. He is dry and hard in his manner. Took a walk. Afternoon somewhat shortened by having Mr. Brooks dine with me. He appears to enjoy life more than ever. He has been a prosperous as well as an industrious man. He has gone through life upon principles which ensure success to a certain extent, though he has gone by the assistance of fortune far beyond it. Read Cardinal de Retz. Passages are dry. They contain details of intrigues in the Parliament of Paris. Finished Voltaire’s Account which is the least interesting work of his that I have ever read.

Evening, Mrs. Adams and I paid a visit to a bride, Mrs. J. T. Stevenson. He is the Dr. S’s brother and looks very much like him. A good deal of company. We remained half an hour and upon our return stopped in at our neighbour Fullerton’s. A musical party. I went in because we had been several times invited and declined.1 Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair and several other singers. I knew but few of the people. Mr. and Mrs. W. Lee, Miss Mary Otis and the Dixwells.2 The singing was good, and we did not return until nearly midnight.

A mild and pleasant air in the early part of the day although the wind went round to the Eastward afterwards. The walking very bad from the melting of the snow. I went to the Office. Read the Presi-45dent’s Inaugural Address—A very prudent performance which expresses enough of each side to be perfectly safe. Did some business with Mr. Degrand and made an investment on my father’s Account of some surplus Money that was lying in my hands. I accomplished a good deal of Gouverneur Morris. This with my walk finished the morning.

Afternoon at home. P. C. Brooks Jr. came in to tell us of the fears entertained of the fate of Mr. Dehon, the father of Mrs. Sidney Brooks. She has come from New York with her husband in consequence.1 The poor man has been in the utmost embarrassment in his affairs for some time, and it is feared he may have made away with himself. It is a week since the family have had no tidings of him. How much suffering there is in this world.

Read more of de Retz. Evening quietly at home. Read to my Wife. After which finished Burke on the sublime, and the World. This is the most indifferent of the Essayists that I have yet read. The tone is too light to be useful and yet too heavy to be amusing. There is much coarseness in many of the Papers under the idea of Wit, and the ironical is altogether too profusely general. I am glad to have finished it.