Morning cloudy and threatening rain, but it afterwards cleared away with a bright evening. I spent much of the morning in putting in order and arranging the Coins and Medals, begun last evening. There is a superabundance of room. I hope to pursue the subject, and enlarge the Collection. That portion which is at Washington is still to be provided for. Office where I at last succeeded in bringing up the amount of Arrear which has been hanging on me in my Diary with little cessation ever since my return to town. Called on Mr. Davis about the Dissertations but could not find him.

Called also upon Mr. Hallett. He is in trouble in consequence of the course of Mr. Slade in Vermont who has succeeded in carrying into Convention a portion of the Antimasonic party in Vermont and pledging them to Union with the Whigs. The Resolutions which are the result of this point at my father in rather a significant manner. This is a bad move and will go hard to overturn the whole system of policy marked out to save the Antimasons.1 Well, it cannot be helped. Such things make the amusing part of politics by sustaining the interest in the occupation. We discussed the mode of treatment. One which requires some delicacy.

I also talked with Mr. Hallett about the County nominations. I asked 250him if they had marked for the General Court and whether my name was one of the marked. He answered, Yes. I then gave him to understand that I would be a candidate for no office at this time, and assigned my various reasons. He said that he thought them sound and would see that my name was taken off. But that the Jackson party had proposed my name as one of those which they would be willing to put upon a compromise ticket for the Senate. This is at least an indication of a change of policy, towards my father and myself, and as such serves to strengthen our position. The Whigs will not have us on the vantage. My determination to keep my hands perfectly freed from all considerations of interest is nevertheless just the same. This is the main basis upon which I must rest if I wish to acquire any influence, in this State.

I left Mr. Hallett only to start for Quincy. Found the family much as usual. My Louisa jumping about in a lively manner but still anxious to come home. Conversation with my father, upon various topics especially those already mentioned. The hours flew and I got home only at about seven. Quiet evening.

Morning pleasant but far more according to the Season. The air was keen. I passed an hour in reading Lord Bolingbroke and found a pithy extract upon which I think I can base another number of Commentary. Mr. Davis tells me that my former papers on the state of the nation produced a great stir and inquiry for Lord Bolingbroke. I discontinued them from an idea that they fell dead upon the Community although I thought and think now that they were the best things I ever wrote. I shall resume them occasionally now that I know they tingled.

Attended divine service all day. An excellent Sermon from Mr. Frothingham. Matthew 7. 1. “Judge not that ye be not judged.” He alluded to the scruple of some founded on this text against impeachment of motives. He did not believe it was the purpose of the text to go so far and instanced the practise of the Saviour himself against it when calling the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites. He then endeavoured to limit the rules of judgment. He applied the text to hasty judg-251ments, to uncharitable judgments, to those which spring from the love of superiority and to those which are without mercy. Mr. Edes, the young man we heard at New Bedford preached in the afternoon, Job 22. 21. “Acquaint thyself now with God and be at peace.” This exhortation he explained to mean not merely acquaintance with the works of the Deity, but with the soul of man and the revelations expressly made of his divine will. A respectable performance.

I called with my Wife to see Mr. and Mrs. Sprague today. Read a Sermon from Barrow continuing the discourse of last Sunday. “Keep thy heart with all diligence” inculcating humility, patience under adversity, and moderation in prosperity, very sensible. Evening, a short visit with my Wife to see Edward Brooks. Mrs. Lyman was there, and shortly after Mrs. Whitwell and her daughter. Home at ten.