Morning cold with a sharp North wind. I went to the Office and passed my time in reading, writing and Accounts as usual. Nothing passed of any consequence. The Globe has made a furious attack upon my father which is likely to unsettle very much our political position in this quarter. I am becoming daily more and more disgusted with politics and see them in a light which affords me no satisfaction. But for the purpose of understanding more clearly what the position of Mr. Hallett will be, I called upon him and subsequently met him and asked him to my Office. I there asked him many questions, all of them having reference to the present state of affairs and gathered from them that the Jackson party was still persevering in its design of throwing off all persons coming through the Antimasonic quarter into their ranks. The policy seems to be to court the Southern States, and I have no objection to this, for it leaves us open here to a change of policy if Mr. Van Buren should be elected, and this despotic tyranny of an old bruiser be removed. Mr. Hallett kept me until after two. Home, where Joseph H. Adams dined. Afternoon, Sismondi, Ariosto and Forster. Evening at home, Swift.

Cold again. I passed my time in reading Loudon’s Encyclopedia. After all, a far more creditable plan of life to me will be to build and cultivate in Quincy, to try and improve his JQA’s estate and bring up my children as well as I am able—To improve my taste for literature and perhaps write some work for duration.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Dewey formerly of New Bedford, now of New York.1 Titus 1.15. “Unto the pure all things are pure.” This text was treated ingeniously to show that a man’s own mind was the real source of all the views which he takes of life, that goodness was the source of happiness and the opposite, that consequently a cultivation of cheerful views even of the severest sufferings to which man’s nature is subjected is an indispensable duty of a good man. Mr. Dewey has a very bad manner but his style is impressive and his thoughts are many of them fine.

Mr. Walsh walked and dined. Afternoon, James 4. 7. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” A Mr. Woodward who told us that the common notions of the devil’s power of ubiquity were incredible–A young man who has mistaken his vocation.2 I always feel for persons 389in such cases. They have made a false step at the threshold of life which never can be recovered from.

Afternoon, read a Sermon of Dr. Barrow. The last of the series regarding universal salvation, and quite conclusive so far as regards the orthodox doctrine of election, but not so satisfactory upon any positive ground. He concludes with three pages of application. In the evening, I went with my Wife to Mr. P. C. Brooks’, the last evening prior to his departure for the country. Mrs. Frothingham and her son, and a Mr. Coit besides ourselves. Home early, Swift.