Clear and cool. I went to the Office after reading a little of one of Kotzebue’s Tales.1 This will perhaps set me upon my German track again. I walked to my House for the purpose of procuring some books which I wanted. It looks dusty and desolate but I could not help feeling a wish that I was in it. Returned to the office where I passed the rest of the morning in reading the pamphlets connected with Harvard College matters. No interruption but by Mr. Kauffer which sent me to Accounts.

The public is still in a state of great excitement in consequence of the debate in the House of Representatives. It is one of the curious incidents which happen in this world. A single individual connected with no party, expressing only his single opinion of the necessity of action and not even pledging himself to any course of action, sets the House of Representatives in a blaze and spreads a panic through all the commercial cities. Few men attain such power in a Nation. And in comparison of that, a seat in this place or that place is of very little 76consequence. I am quietly waiting to see the immediate effect of this, not doubting for a moment that it is for the best.

Walk. Ovid. Continued the papers for half the afternoon and read Grimm for the other half. Evening went with my wife and Mr. Brooks to pay a return visit to the Inches family opposite. Nobody at home but the younger daughter and young Inches. Dull, home, read a little of Carlyle’s Life of Schiller.2

Morning milder. I went to the Office after reading a Chapter upon Kotzebue. Time taken up in reading the Papers relating to Harvard University and in continuing my sketch of an argument upon their affairs. This amuses me but I am very doubtful whether I shall bring much to bear upon it. The thing will require a vast deal of labour.

Walk as usual. Ovid. Finished the fourth book of the Fasti which is the longest and contains several snatches of pretty poetry. Afternoon divided between papers and the Baron de Grimm, whose criticism is generally caustic. He led the life of a literary idler and purveyor for the tables of others. He chewed meat for royal personages to digest.

Evening read Vathek, an oriental story by Mr. Beckford.1 An amusing thing full of extravagance and yet not without point. W. G. Brooks and his wife spent the evening. Mr. Brooks out at the Theatre. Spirits middling. I read much of the Psalms and find a vast deal of encouragement in their cheering words.

Morning pleasant. I read a little of Kotzebue and then went to the Office. Time taken up in writing Diary and a little of matters relating to Harvard.

Attended a sale of Stocks. The Insurance fell very much. The panic about a War has knocked it all down so that it sold today for much less than it was worth. I bid upon some of it up to the mark I had set which was a low one. But I did not get it. My object in bidding was a two fold one. In the first place to get the Stock if cheap, in the second 77if I did not get it at least to prevent others from sacrificing property in a moment of foolish panic. For it seems to me it is undervaluing the power of this Country very much.

Walk as usual and then home. Read Ovid—Beginning of the fifth book of the Fasti. Mr. Brooks dined out. Afternoon, continued the Papers of my grandfather and de Grimm. Evening finished Vathek, and began the Life of Schiller, said to be written by Mr. Carlyle. I like it so far very well. Nothing material.