The weather moderated and there was snow and hail throughout the day. I went to the Office but did not remain much fixed at any place. Accounts have arrived of a most dreadful fire which occurred in New York on Wednesday the bitter cold night of this week, and devastated the business part of that great city. Such a fire has never before been experienced in this Country. The Insurance Companies are said to have lost all their Capital, and many of the wealthiest Merchants to be nearly ruined.1 What a lesson of the vanity of all earthly goods! What a time to learn that difficult virtue of humility! I hope I may cultivate my talents so as to make me not utterly helpless and upon the world in case of misfortune to myself. I have heretofore hardly regarded this as enough possible.

Time taken up in Accounts. Mr. Walsh came in and talked for a short time. I walked. The town is full of this matter of the fire. Nobody talks of any thing else. Some of the loss falls upon persons here, particularly Insurance Companies and Manufactories. Home where I read Persius rather negligently. It is unpleasant to follow even the best sense through such a very crabbed style. If there were more of the Satires, nobody would read them.

Dined at Mr. Brooks’. Family only. Mr. Everett, Mr. Frothingham, Edward Brooks, Mr. Inches, Joseph Angier of New Bedford and myself. The party was not a very brilliant one. Mr. Everett who 287usually talks to shine seemed to be in a fog, caused perhaps by the accounts from Harrisburgh which are not so favorable as was anticipated. There are few safe topics to discuss in these days of political differences and general quietude. Mr. Angier in mixed society is a very silent man. On the whole I was glad when the party broke up earlier than usual and I found myself at home reading to my Wife from the interesting memoirs of that true French heroine Madame Junot. Afterwards, attempted to write.

Drizzling, misty, disagreeable day. I read some of the letters in the general correspondence of Voltaire this morning until the hour for service which I attended as usual at Mr. Frothingham’s. He preached from a singular text. Hebrews. 11. 32. “The time would fail me to tell of Samson” but ingeniously extended the argument of the Apostle who was instancing the cases of the various heroes of the Old Testament as proving his position that by faith every thing was to be done. Afternoon Mr. Sullivan of N.H.1 preached from 1. Peter 3. 4. “The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Not very interesting, nor original. My attention wandered.

Read a discourse from Dr. Barrow in continuation of the series upon Industry and embracing that portion which applies to men in the particular calling of Gentlemen. Text same as last Sunday. Romans 12. 11. “Not slothful in business.” This discourse though short recommended itself to my attention entirely on account of its particular applicability to my situation. I find it necessary to be perpetually reasoning myself into the necessity of exertion. And a Sermon which points out to me the reasons for and duty of action in a manner I cannot dispute is a valuable support against the insidious attacks of Sloth.

Evening, Thomas B. Frothingham and Elizabeth C. Adams spent with us. Afterwards, tried to write, but in vain.