Blustering day but not cold. I went to the Office as usual. My article, on the result of the election was published today. But it was very incorrectly printed and did not appear to do me justice. My time taken up in Diary &ca. and collected Dividends and drew Accounts. Called at the Athenaeum and procured some books upon Coins and Medals.1 Walk. Home rather late as I was delayed in making a purchase or two. Juvenal.

In the Afternoon I was employed in cutting out and pasting in a book various of my publications. They are in a Newspaper form and will probably be forgotten unless some such process is resorted to.2 I began with the Treasury Report which is on the whole as able a dissertation as any I ever wrote, thence to my History of the Morgan Conspiracy. I have laboured much and gained little in exchange. Yet perhaps my style which is admitted to be a powerful one may have been formed by these exercises.

In the evening, Thomas Frothingham came up to ask us to join his mother to see a Juggler, Blitz, who was amusing the public with tricks. I have not seen one for many years, but it seemed to me he had very few new ones. The time for exhibitions of that kind has gone by with me. Besides, I felt quite unwell. Some obstruction in my system began to make itself felt until nature acting against it relieved me and I threw it up, partially. My night was however bad. There was a magnificent Aurora Borealis just as I went to bed, more splendid than I have 267ever before seen or can describe. But I shall remember it without a description.

I felt very poorly this morning, and instead of getting better it seemed to me as if I could not without effort lift my hand to my head. I remained in this state at home until eleven o’clock when I went for a short time to the Office. The day was lovely but it did not seem to invigorate me so that I returned home and read Juvenal. My system today was rigid starvation because I had a little fever.

Afternoon passed in cutting and pasting as yesterday. I find my works very voluminous. It will take me several more days to get through. Received a letter today from my father at Washington and one from Dutee J. Pearce. The first informing me of their arrival, the second acknowledging my Pamphlet.1 This had evidently been opened.

Evening, Mr. Brooks was with us for one or two hours, but I was entirely out of sorts, and after his departure, threw up the little I had taken during the day. Went to bed thereupon.

I felt better this morning and at least out of pain but still entirely unable to go on as usual. I must be suffering under some severe obstruction. Went to the Office and was occupied there in my usual duties. Copied out the second part of the Indenture to Colburn, which was nearly all the extra work I was able to do. Called to see Mr. Hallett with whom I was anxious to have some conversation, but could not find him. He has to take refuge at home from the interruptions he meets with at the Office. Then to the Athenaeum where I find nothing.

The aspect of political affairs is slightly changing. The Pennsylvania Antimasons are in great danger of being completely gulled by the Whigs and losing all the ground they have gained at the late election. Well, so be it. There is not much wisdom in all this. Walk and home where I read Juvenal. The eleventh Satire. I never made such slow progress in any book, but it is hard and must be mastered.

Afternoon again occupied in pasting. Upon looking over what I have, I find a great deal that is wanting. Particularly two or three of what I consider as my best productions, those on the State of the Nation. Evening at home. Work on the Catalogue of Medals and Coins. Then writing more Politics.