Cold and clear. I read Swift previous to attending divine service. Heard Mr. Frothingham preach from Acts 26. 27. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.” Upon the principles of belief with an examination of three classes of men, who do not know what they believe, who think they know and do not, and who think they do not, and still do. Afternoon, Isaiah 21. 11. 12. “He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night. The Watchman said the morning cometh and also the night.” A very good discourse parts of which sounded familiarly to me. I took a long walk today but alone as Mr. Walsh was not out.

Read a Sermon of Barrow. Romans 2. 11. “For there is no respect of persons with God.” A difficult subject to explain and one upon which the author sheds no light. I am not one of those who repine at my fate, on the contrary my fear is that I am by no means deserving of so much as has been given me. I cannot understand my own merits and should regard it as somewhat presumptuous to claim for them so great a recompence. The sum total of the matter is that we should trust in God and that I do without seeking to examine what I cannot and ought not to understand. Evening went to Mrs. Edward Brooks’— 372Mrs. Boott there. Mr. Brooks went with us—A pleasant evening, then home.

Morning cloudy but warmer. I went to the Office and was occupied in a variety of little matters—Accounts. Went up to see Mrs. Fuller and obtain from her her rent. Then round to the Athenaeum calling at the Advocate Office where I saw Mr. Hallett. Conversation upon miscellaneous matters. He had an engagement and left the room and appeared evidently indisposed to enter upon any serious subject.

I think he suspects me, and will not therefore communicate all his sentiments upon the general subjects which he is pursuing. My situation must necessarily be a very delicate one. He told me however that the loco focos were put down in Boston and their paper was stopped which is a satisfactory point. He also told me that a remonstrance against the dictation of the Boston Custom House had also been signed by every member of the Legislature, of that party. I am afraid all these things will produce great inconvenience. The great point is to make harmony of action and there is nothing but quarreling. We must wait.

Home to read Livy but I did not, having procured a work on Architecture which I looked through.1 I have a fancy for building myself a small place but whether I execute it is doubtful. I have not the kind of disposition to like building.

Afternoon, Sismondi and Fouqué, finishing the second volume of the Magic Ring—An exceedingly unimportant ring so far as two volumes go. Evening after reading Madame Junot, to a ball at Mrs. J. C. Gray’s. Every body there—Quite an affair. I enjoyed it better than usual, although to me it is all vanity. Home late.

Cloudy. Office where I spent time as usual. Received a letter from Mr. T. B. Johnson dated Baltimore. He sails, I imagine, in one of Mr. Shepherd’s ships. His tone is crusty and does not quite please me. My mother writes that he makes me a present of Leslie’s likenesses of herself and my father.1 I value the present but would almost prefer to refuse it. I will be under no obligations. I am to write to him at London.

Short walk, home—Livy. Nothing material. Afternoon, Sismondi, and Rose’s translation of Berni. There is something exceedingly eccentric in these Italians and yet when you get hold of them you do not like to leave off.

My spirits were very slightly down today—I do not know why. I am doing nothing useful. I must get back to my work, against which I show much dislike. Evening at home. Madame Junot, whose last volume is wearisome—Her griefs arising from her and her husband’s fault. I sat up very late, as Joseph Adams was returning from his sister’s at Medford.