The weather has been moderating gradually until it has become a complete thaw. It rained today with a Southerly wind and set the Streets afloat. I went to the Office. My time taken up in writing.

Called at the Savings Bank and detained there much longer than I expected by the crowd of applications as Depositors. This is a singular and probably one of the most beneficial Institutions which we have. It contains much of the hard earned savings of the poor consolidated 55for their benefit as well as for that of the enterprising classes of the Community. I made my Deposit for the Nursery Maid of my Wife and gave notice of my intention to draw T. B. Adams’ fund next week. Then a short walk, but it rained too hard to persevere.

Met one of the granite blocks to be used for the New Court House.1 It was coming in from Quincy on a Sledge drawn by sixty seven yoke of oxen and a dozen horses. This one weighed fifty seven tons. This is the progress of American Wealth and Enterprize, and for the benefit of our town of Quincy. Read Ovid.

Afternoon. The Letters of the three brothers Lee—Men of some value during the revolution but who suffered by being involved in the crimination and recrimination of parties. Franklin was the great grievance with them. Evening, finished the Life of Sir Thomas More—An admirable character representing the true state of a virtuous hero.

A mild day with the Streets almost impassable by the melting. I read a little German and then to the Office. No interruptions. I wrote my Diary. Read an Article in the last number of the North American Review in answer to Mr. William Sullivan which is pretty thorough in it’s dressing,1 and began another attempt to write for the Papers on the present crisis. This took up my time. Mr. Beale from Quincy called in wishing for an answer from my father but I had none to give him. Took a walk, but found my Coat oppressive and the walking horrible. Did not read more than one hundred lines of the Fasti.

In the afternoon Mr. Dumas’ Letters. He appears to have been a poor Frenchman who for the sake of a living and occupation became a servant of the United States. He appears to have served them usefully too. It is amusing to watch his course with my Grandfather.2 Took tea alone with my little daughter Louisa who is becoming a treasure to me. Evening quietly at home. Read d’Israeli, and at eight went to Mrs. Frothingham’s—the Miss Dehons and some children. Very dull. I was glad to get home.