Morning clear and cold. I went to the Office as usual. Time taken up in reading Rousseau’s Essay. Read the President’s Message which got here yesterday.1 It is a pretty good production and in a far better 279spirit than any of it’s predecessors. I agree to all of it’s doctrine excepting that which regards the Bank of the United States. On that point he is as bad as usual. The political aspect at Washington is bad enough for the opposition. They are almost completely prostrate. But as I say my province is now to keep myself in reserve. To see what turn things take.

Home where I finished Juvenal, and began the Satires of Persius. A rough, ungainly style, with some bold thoughts. Evening, Levesque, and Gallatin’s Treatise on Banking. I wish to make myself master of the subject.2

Went to the play, Opera of Robert le diable,3 a singular story. Robert, Mr. Wood, is the son of the heiress of the Dutchy of Normandy by no less a personage than his Satanic Majesty. He has been expelled from his dutchy for his tricks and finds himself in Sicily in love with the Princess of the Island (Mrs. Wood). Here he is exposed to the temptations of his papa who has liberty to get possession of him provided he can do so before the clock strikes twelve. The temptations all prove too strong for the weak hero who is nevertheless saved by delay. There are horrors in plenty. The story is similar to der Freyschutz but not so consistent or striking. Mrs. Wood was suffering severely from a cold. We remained to the Afterpiece, “the Affair of honor.” Ridiculous enough.

Morning very cold. Went to the Office and passed my time as usual. Read a little, made up Diary and looked over Accounts. Mr. Sharp called in and I settled with him for his work which amounted to far more than I had expected. But in such cases there is only loss of dignity in remonstrating. The information my father gives me of the loss of the antique portion of the collection makes me somewhat sorry I contracted so great an expense.1

Mr. Walsh came in and we had some talk. I then called upon Mr. Brooks, but could not find him, for the purpose of reading to him a part of my father’s last letter. Home where I read Persius, short and sententious but very cutting. Afternoon, reading Levesque and Gallatin’s Essay on Currency and Banking—A very hard style.

Evening reading Beatrice to my Wife. Afterwards Beaumont and Fletcher. Finished Beggar’s Bush which does not strike me. Parts of the two Noble Kinsmen founded upon Chaucer’s Tale of Palamon and Arcite.