Fine morning but cool. I went to town in consequence of my engagement, and the first thing I did was to apply at the State Bank. The answer was in the affirmative although the pressure for money was said to be great. This was a fortunate escape, although I should have thought it hard not to have enjoyed the privileges which make that Stock in my eye worth it’s cost. I completed the operation with Mr. Degrand and am now in possession of the representative of the money I owe.

The remainder of my morning was taken up in a visit to my house, to the Athenaeum, and work at office. I was putting together and correcting my Appeal when Mr. A. H. Everett called in. After much conversation I found that his mind was running upon a plan of taking up a miserable radical paper for the purpose of affecting the Autumn elections in this State. He said that there were differences of opinion to reconcile between the Jackson party proper and its Adjunct, the Working men. That the latter were at present used as an instrument by certain disappointed Office holders to make disturbance, that the paper could be had cheap and by raising its character and extending it’s influence might have effect in this part of the Country.

My hour for returning to Quincy having arrived, I was glad to cut off the conversation without giving any opinion. I could not do so without saying things that might hurt his feelings. To take up a radical paper with my feelings and principles, would be either self degradation or desperation. I must either be expected to bend to a tone which 203would please the reformers, a tone which I despise, or to raise them up to me which is a vain and absurd hope.

There is another thing in the subject. I am made to put on the collar of Jacksonism and work like a slave, when I have no design whatever to lose my perfectly independent position. Mr. Everett is under other circumstances. He is a professed politician dependent upon it for his living. He must be a Jackson man if he is not a Whig. He looks to a revolution in the State for his support, and it is therefore natural for him not to be scrupulous about the means to bring it about. To me who am evidently expected to furnish both capital and reputation, I see nothing to result but loss of both. I prefer buying U.S. Bank Stock.

Home to dinner taking with me my child Louisa who is not satisfied with her town residence. Afternoon assorting letters and papers. Evening, conversation with my father who confirmed me in my impressions respecting Mr. Everett’s propositions.

I remained at Quincy all day today. Read a part of Juvenal’s sixth Satire which is too disgusting to be borne. The vices of the world appear to have reached their maximum during the times of the Roman empire. And it is mortifying to man to see how his species can in the plenitude of power degrade and disgrace itself. I do not admire to read the ingenuity of woman in making herself a beast, and worse, for animals are content with natural enjoyments.

The morning mail brought nothing but an account of a call for an Antimasonic Convention which is a new measure and must have been suggested by some new move on the political counter. Can it be that Mr. Everett withdraws his acceptance of their nomination? We shall see. I suppose I shall be nominated to attend this, and to influence its results. We shall see. Nothing new.

I was taken up very much in assorting papers which I this day derive some courage from. The process of winnowing the Wheat from the Chaff now begins to show for something. If I can get out much of the valuable matter, there will be some return for my expense of time. My father manifests utter apathy to it as he does to every thing else. He looks unwell, and spends his time upon hobbies rather than useful plans.

Evening, there was a great fire visible in the direction of Boston. I went upon the hill in front of the House and looked at it. The sight was sublime enough. The red light was set in a dark cloud which gave a 204haze in which the fire was reflected far and wide. We learn it is the town of Charlestown.1 I read a little of Theodor.