Much colder but a very fine day. I went to the Office and was occupied as usual. Received a letter from Mr. Greenleaf inviting my propositions,1 so that I concluded to get into the Cambridge hourly at eleven o’clock, and call and see the gentleman at his Office. I went and found him. After preluding with a denial of any admission of right by my Act, as well as an intimation that I was not acting as an 265Attorney, I stated both the propositions in order. He positively declined the first and also the second in its existing shape. But he would consent to a reference to any lawyer of established reputation or he would sell his Copyright for four hundred dollars. Thereupon we parted. Mr. Greenleaf is a fair talking man but there is something sharp about his eye and he has a face not prepossessing though intelligent. I left him and walked into town. Home in time to read Juvenal. Afternoon, wrote an answer to Mr. Treadway embodying the substance of what was said.2 Evening quietly at home. Finished Antommarchi.

Milder and more damp. I was occupied this morning in reading until divine service which I attended all day. Mr. Frothingham preached from 1. Kings 17. 14. “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste neither shall the cruse of oil fail until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.” Patience, perseverance, submission. This was the substance of the discourse. Matthew 13. 33. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened.” I was unable in the afternoon wholly to fix my attention. But the general subject may be gathered from the text as applied to the doctrines of Christianity which from so small an origin have spread so extensively over the earth.

On my return home I read a discourse of Dr. Barrow’s from Psalm 119. 60. “I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” The subject the necessity of a speedy and thorough performance of duty. And the consideration of the various subterfuges resorted to for the purpose of excusing indulgence.

Wrote a letter to my father, short,1 and in the evening after Thomas Frothingham who took tea here had gone, I went with my Wife to see her brother Edward and his Wife. Mr. Alexander the Painter was there. Conversation about pictures. Home early.

Continuance of Southerly winds and dark, gloomy weather. I went to the Office and occupied myself in accounts and Diary. The returns 266of the election still continue fair. Plymouth County is carried which is a very great point. Thus the Whigs have but a majority of two or three in the Senate. The change is certainly very extraordinary. And it must now be properly followed up. I do not know that I am called upon to do a great deal and shall think about it occasionally as I go along.

Conversation with Mr. Walsh who has just returned from Philadelphia and talks of the U.S. Bank. Called at the Advocate Office, and asked them to send me a proof. Then home where I read Juvenal finishing the tenth Satire, which I have carefully read over and over. Afternoon, Rousseau’s Social Contract, a production full of plausible things. Copied and sent my letter to my father. Evening, went with my Wife to see Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham who are again quietly established at home. Mr. B. Bradlee was there and afterwards Mr. Brooks. Home early.