A mild, South wind today and sultry. I read Wallenstein in the morning comparing it with Coleridge’s translation.1 Much appears to have been since added. Attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham from Luke 7. 31–32 “And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the market place and calling to one another and saying, We have piped unto you and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you and ye have not wept.” Explanation of the allusion, and an application of it to the habits of the present day. The habit of quarrelling about the objects of public benefit and the tyranny of opinion exercised in the pursuit of them. The combination of men to attain a purpose, pursued with acrimony and allowing no difference of sentiment. His allusions might be taken either to the political or the philanthropic schemes of the day. And his Sermon was a masterly one. One of the closing sentences contained the idea that if the Saviour could be supposed to return at this day among our enthusiasts he would be judged to be far in arrears of the great march of improvement. I took my walk afterwards.

Afternoon Nehemiah 2. 4.5. “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the King, If it please the king and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my father’s sepulchres that I may build it.” Patriotism, its definition and example in Nehemiah, with a reflection upon the abuses of the name, an outbreak against the present idea of war and a pretty allusion to this, the Anniversary of George Washington. I did not relish the political portion because I think the Clergy are not the best of judges of public policy. They are wise to hold their tongues upon what they do not understand.

Home where I read a Consecration Sermon of Dr. Barrow. Psalms 132. 16. “I will also clothe her priests with salvation.” A discourse 83upon the necessity of exalting the Churchmen in temporal matters. The Dr. would have made a great Pope of Rome. He maintains strictly the expediency of the union in church and State which to our singular notions appears so strange. Evening at home.

The day was cloudy and mild. I read some of Wallenstein and then went to the Office. Received a letter from Mr. Frye requesting a letter containing information about our Revolutionary Land Law passed last year. I was obliged to go for it to the State House. Wrote more of my Record, which now and then grows long.

A later arrival from France puts a more pacific aspect upon affairs. But the great question of the decision of the Chamber of Deputies upon which the whole question of our relations must turn is as unsettled as ever. It is a little amusing to me to see the effect upon the spirits of people whose interest is thought to be much affected—As much elated by the little spark of hope today as depressed by the slight cloud on the other side on Saturday. Never giving to every thing its due share of importance. And never regarding the true state of the question at all. I have some stake in these matters myself but I hope I shall never fall down to Mammon as the God of my Idolatry.

Walk. Read Ovid. Afternoon. Made great progress in the final disposition of the papers under my care. I have nearly completed them. Wrote a reply to Mr. Frye1 and read a little of Grimm. Evening. Looked into a Life of Talleyrand which seems to be a gross libel upon him from beginning to end.2 I was so disgusted with it’s details that I threw it up. Conversation and Wallenstein which interests me.

Wallenstein which contains many passages of charming poetry and several dialogues of most admirable spirit. I think much of Schiller. Went to the Office where Mr. Walsh engrossed far more of my time than I wished. He talks sensibly enough but he does not know how to fix a limit to his visits. I succeeded in writing my Diary but nothing more. Walk, and Home to read Ovid.

The public is now certain there will be no collision, and they are 84going on with just as much confidence as if the indemnity had been actually paid by France. So it is with the world. Affected by every breath that stirs and running in crowds like sheep in a panic exactly according to the superficial view of things. The next Packet will probably put them into the other extreme.

Afternoon, I completed the remainder of the Papers in the two Chests. I have assorted them with the exception of the general Correspondence which remains in Alphabetical files, and the whole of course liable to alteration from the remainder of the Papers at Quincy. Read de Grimm and in the evening the article Bacon in the Biographia Brittanica after which Wallenstein.