Lord Francis Leveson Gower has attempted to translate Faust, and considering the enormous difficulty of the task has pretty well suc-41ceeded. But many passages he in despair utterly omits and others he does not fully render. The scene in the Cathedral and that in the prison strike me the most, although as much perhaps from the allegorical meaning they can be made to convey as from the Poetry which in contrast is finely managed. If I was called upon to say what I did not like, I should say the doubting tone of the piece. The sarcasm upon wisdom and religion without any confirmation of sound principles. The spirit of evil has got possession of Faust. He seduces Margaret, who poisons her Mother and kills her child. Margaret’s position is strictly dramatic being innocent of all but loving with weakness. She is made religious but her religion aids her little and the last scene fine as it is, might have been improved by a little less of frenzy and more of the spirit of piety and reliance upon the Deity. This would have made a moral which on the whole the piece a little wants.

I went to the office where I passed a couple of hours as usual and then a walk—After which the battle of the Centaurs and Lapithae in Ovid. The afternoon was passed in arranging papers. Evening Mr. Brooks being out, I read to my Wife part of the translation of Faust, which Nathl. Hall finally interrupted. Mr. Brooks was out.

I read this morning the little fragment upon Faust left by Lessing which is said by Madame de Stael to have furnished the idea to Goethe. His plan has it’s merits and beauties. It is not liable to the objection of Goethe’s, for it has a beautiful moral, but to bring this about an effort of imagination is necessary. An unreal Faust is exposed to the machinations of the Devil which is telling the story at the outset, and no interest can attach to the hero. Here Goethe’s plan is the best.

At the Office, then walk with my Wife to a China shop to make some purchases for her New Year’s presents. This prevented my usual exercise. Home. Mr. Brooks dined out. I had a quiet afternoon. Read over the Correspondence of Mr. Jay and Mr. King which contains little of much interest. I am almost discouraged by the mass and confusion of the MS. And I have not room enough for their arrangement.

In the evening I accompanied my Wife and Mr. Brooks on an evening visit to Mr. & Mrs. W. Pratt. These are persons who have lately purchased Mr. Cushing’s house in Summer Street and though retired in their habits, possess the surpassing merit of wealth. I found there the gentleman and his lady a niece of Col. Pickering whose picture upon the wall struck me much from her resemblance to it, three 42maiden daughters and William who is the only one I ever knew at all before.1 I got through pretty well. Disappointed in the appearance of the house which has cost so enormously. It’s simplicity amounts to baldness. Home.