Cloudy with showers but it cleared away cold. I read the North American Review and a little of Swift, then to the Chauncy place meeting house, to hear Mr. F. Cunningham. Jonah. 4. 3. “It is better for me to die than to live.” Upon the effect which discouragements should have upon men. The text is a singular one as is the whole story of Jonah. Announcing an event as certainly about to take place, the Deity by whose authority he does it, is supposed to change his purpose in consequence of the submission of the Ninevites whom he was to destroy and thus to disavow his agent. Jonah takes this in dudgeon, and is not a bit more pleased with the adventure with a gourd which is an illustration of his condition. There is something to my mind exceedingly apocryphal in the whole of Jonah, and this vacillation ascribed to the Creator is not the slightest reason in my forming such an opinion.

Afternoon, Ecclesiasticus 37. 14. “For a man’s mind is sometimes wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in a high tower.” The necessity of self warning, the observation of a man’s own mind in explaining the past, in guiding the present, and preparing for the future.

Cunningham’s style seems to take the tinge of his fortunes—He deals in melancholy views of life, and in expressions of disappointment. The ways of providence are inscrutable. He indulged no doubt in dreams of ambition which his College success did just enough to flatter. He hoped for much but from some cause or other, the opinions and feelings of the world present a barrier in appearance insuperable to his progress. Lothrop on the contrary with less labour and far less ambition is accepted very generally as the superior. In looking round upon my class, the idea cannot but strike one, how different the world judges from the inmates of a college. How different are the qualifications necessary for success in the two spheres. Perhaps my own case is not among the least striking, but it remains yet to be seen, and I fear it will be seen that the causes which in my own character worked my 368situation at Cambridge will work to the same end in the course of life. If so, perhaps he may on the same principle yet get up the ladder.

Resumed a walk interrupted by rain at the regular period, with Mr. Walsh. He dined with me. I afterwards read a Sermon of Barrow on the subject and text of last Sunday. He endeavors to account for the various instances of severity on the part of the Deity as explained in the Bible—The fall, the deluge and so forth. But he does not handle the subject with much power. The truth is that the Bible does not give us a fair opportunity to understand the motives of God, nor is it necessary that it should—Obedience being our duty. Evening, Mrs. A., Jos. H. Adams and I to Mr. Brooks’—Supper and home at ten.

Cold and clear. I went to the Office. Received a pleasant letter from T.B.A. at his station in Florida—Fort Drane the 20th of March.1 He is in good spirits and as yet perfectly well. God grant, he may keep so.

I was engaged in money affairs receiving Dividends &ca. The Suffolk Insurance Co. is unusually bountiful this year. But in this matter of money enough is as good as a feast to all those whose hearts are not corrupted. I made another application to the Merchants’ Bank today but was again put off. This kept me down in the street so long that I lost my Livy.

Afternoon at home—Nothing. Read Rose’s translation of Berni’s Orlando Inamorato2 and Fouqué. Finished another volume of MS. Letters with those of R. King and Izzard. Evening, quietly at home, North American Review—Popular poetry of the Germans.3 Afterwards, Swift’s Account of the dissensions in Athens and Rome,4 a Whig Pamphlet of his, previous to his political conversion.

Very cold for the season of the year. I went first to Market and then to the Office. Received a letter from my father mentioning his being indisposed and obliged to remain absent from the House for a few days.1 He speaks encouragingly of my efforts which is some comfort as certainly there is no great amount of that article granted to me.

I received the answer of the Merchants Bank which was a refusal to me of the smaller amount and an offer of 7000 which I refused. I called upon Mr. Tucker and released him from all further engagement. The remainder of my morning was passed in Diary &ca. Called at the Athenaeum and procured another volume of the Duchess with which we hope to go on, but it is the eighth. Then home where I made very good progress in Livy—His speculations upon the possible result of an attack upon the Romans by Alexander the great. Afternoon, Sismondi and Fouqué.

Evening, family at my House—E. Everett and his Wife, with A. H. Everett and his Wife who are staying there, Mr., Mrs., and T. Frothingham and Mr. Brooks. Edward B. did not come, nor P.C.B. Jr. and his Wife. The introduction of strangers at these parties is a novelty not entirely relished, particularly A.H.E. who has made himself obnoxious to my Wife’s relations by his political course.