East wind and cloudy weather although the temperature of the air has risen considerably notwithstanding. I occupied myself in reading and reflecting upon Mr. Loudon’s Encyclopedia and came to the 404conclusion that the only two plans I saw were impracticable in this Country.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham. Ephesians 4. 10 “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” This discourse did not make any impression at all upon me and I can give no account of it. Afternoon not much better. “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away.” I have heard this before, I think. Mr. Walsh walked and dined with me.

I read a Sermon of Dr. Barrow’s, upon Whitsunday, Acts 2. 38 “And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He gives reasons for keeping Church festivals, alludes to the coincidence which often happens between those ordered in the Jewish ritual and the Anniversaries of great events under the new law, and then assigns as reasons for keeping them, the preservation of the knowledge of these events, and the desire for christian improvement which they give rise to. Thus passed the day. Evening very quietly at home. Swift, Drapier.

This is the Anniversary commonly called here Artillery Election. It is usually a warm showery day, not so this year it being a continuation of all former weather. I went to the Office. Read my father’s Speech in the Intelligencer which is very admirable.1 I am horrified also by a vote of Mr. Van Buren’s upon the bill to suppress incendiary publications. It led me to reflect what a miserable thing it was to depend upon a man without settled principles. But we can do nothing at present. Our course is marked out for us. A time may come for retribution. I hope it will. Judge White did no better than Mr. Van Buren, and there is no relief in looking round the compass.2

Accounts, Diary and a call from Mr. Walsh, then to see Mr. Brooks for a minute and home. Livy. Afternoon, assorting papers. Went over part of a correspondence between my grandfather and Edmund Jennings during which I was interrupted by a call from Mr. Hallett. He is in great agony about this vote, says it destroys Van Buren’s prospects in Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Ohio, and puts himself in a predicament not pleasant. He read to me a sketch of an editorial article which he proposed to insert upon it. It condemns the vote very gently and then goes on to offensive ground against the Atlas.3 I told him very frankly my opinions and my feelings. I did not approve the vote and could only sanction my continuing to support 405Mr. Van Buren by thinking of the alternatives. Evening at home, read the Drapier, and Ariosto.