Cool morning but clear. I went to the Office and was occupied all the morning in Accounts, Diary and reading Mr. Everett’s publication. 383Mr. Forbes came in about the horses and urged a settlement. He appears to be very confident and has in fact got me pretty much in a corner. I shall remember it. My last resource will be in his own surgeon, a poor one enough.

Walk and Athenaeum. Home, Livy, Speeches of Scipio and Hannibal. Afternoon, I got courage and worked upon the MSS. Ariosto and Fouqué, nothing of any consequence. My Wife was not well and went to bed. I went to my study and wrote.

Began a series of papers for the Advocate. The fact is that the current is running now somewhat on the Whig side, and the differences in the Jackson party here are taking an alarming shape. I do not care, because like Hamlets, my purpose is almost blunted.

Cool, and clear but it afterwards clouded up and rained. I went to the Office. Occupations as usual. Read a Pamphlet which has been sent to me respecting the cause of quarrel between the Antimasons as it regards the course of the portion in Massachusetts who seceded from the Majority in the State. This is wretchedly expressed but my wits are wool gathering. The pamphlet appears to me adroit. I conversed with Mr. Everett about it and about the various other points in which it seems to me there are doubts and difficulties.

Mr. Brown came to me about the horses and discouraged me entirely. I went in quest of another veterinarian named Wood but could not find him. I think there is no chance of doing any thing and that my best plan is to pocket the loss, and learn wisdom. Walk. Home to read Livy—Nothing new.

Afternoon quiet. Received a letter from my father in which his Account of his situation is not very encouraging.1 Politics look but poorly for us. Afternoon, Sismondi and Ariosto. Finished Fouqué’s Magic Ring which after all I do not esteem very highly. I do not think it at all approaches the beauty and imagination of Undine. In the evening we were alone and quietly at home. Finished Madame d’Abrantes. Many a better book is far more fatiguing to get through. I afterwards wrote for my new undertaking.

A clear and cold easterly gale. I read Loudon’s book which is not the thing I want, after all. Attended divine service and heard Mr. 384Frothingham from Psalm 146. 4. “In that very day, his thoughts perish.” Reflection upon the instability of human thought, passions and feelings, as an introduction to ideas of a more durable state, apparently caused by the death of a young man, Homer, a son of Mr. Homer who but a few weeks since lost a daughter, and is now left in old age much alone in the world. Who can think of such a fate without much of the sickening at the shadows of this world.

Afternoon, Dr. Harris. Hebrews. 6. 18. “We might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” The Dr. is old and his voice feeble. It was difficult to follow the train of his thoughts under so laborious a delivery.1

Read a Sermon of Dr. Barrow upon the subject of Salvation in continuation of the two last. He examines more particularly the objections drawn from the limited spread of the gospel, and as I think does not answer them. The truth really is that no human intellect can comprehend the ways of the Deity, and it is idle to seek to do so. Evening, called at Mr. E. Brooks’s, with my Wife and her father. Mrs. Boott and one of her sons were there. Quiet, home early.