Morning warm and the sun scorching. I remained at home, and read the fourth Satire of Juvenal entire. Some parts of it are as fine as any 194thing of his which I have yet seen, though the whole Satire may not be regarded as highly finished.

This morning brought me the second Paper upon Political Management very well printed. It will tell among our friends in Vermont. My time did not tell to the very best advantage and yet I managed to finish another Article for the Advocate under my old signature and in answer to the Telegraph which had a miserably poor Article commenting upon a Comment of the Centinel’s on my fifth number. I also picked out a paragraph from the Richmond Whig to be introduced with a comment.

Took a bath with my father at Mr. D. Greenleaf’s Wharf at noon. Afternoon, Pinkerton after finishing the last of the ten volumes of Thiers. An amusing and instructive history if not a perfectly substantial one in the theory upon which it is founded. Mad. du Deffand.

Pleasant though a very warm day. I went into town and was very much taken up with the great variety of little occupations I had. Called at the House, at the Athenaeum, Mr. Brooks and Alex. H. Everett’s. Conversed with the latter about half an hour.

He read me the next and closing Article which he means to send. A most capital one. He also replies to the Atlas in such a manner as to make it take up the subject. I told him I thought they shunned him a little. He said he thought so too. I asked him whether he knew any thing of the plan of Mr. Webster to withdraw. He said he did not see how he could do it, nor did he believe he intended to. Yet I cannot help thinking there is something in it.

Left at the Advocate Office my Communications, and after writing Diary sometime, left Town, rather late. Afternoon a little idle. Read some of Pinkerton, a book both dull and dry, and Mad. du Deffand, who as she gets older complains more and more of the vanity of life. Evening, conversation with my father—Political and historical. He is wonderful in his memory.

Morning pleasant. I remained at home very quietly and read the first half of the fifth satire of Juvenal. It is the reference to manners that makes this Author inexplicable even to the most learned, in some 195of his passages. Yet there is a bold manly vigour in his style that makes him worth studying.

The Mail brought a Morning Advocate with the Article alluded to by Mr. Everett in reply to the Atlas. It is a thorough stinger. This war is one of tolerable activity but the power is all on one side. The Atlas fires feebly and very slow. Mr. Webster is retiring from the scene of action. His retreat is heavy because he does not know whither to take refuge. The State assuredly gives him the slip if he advocates any Southern candidate.

Afternoon reading Pinkerton upon Medals. My father went to town to dine with Mr. Gorham. My Wife and I were invited down to a party at Squantum of Quincy people. But we did not go, as I dislike taking care of my own horse. Evening, we went and made a call upon Mr. Lunt and his Wife—Our new Clergyman whom I knew in College.