A fine day. This is the perfection of winter weather. I went to the Office. Received letters from Washington among the rest a return from Mary of the money I sent to her. Thus has this business been settled. It seems to have troubled her far more than it did me but she ought not to have ventured the remark.1

Collected the Dividend upon the Cocheco Co. Stock and was somewhat occupied with Accounts. Mr. Josiah Adams Jr. came in from Quincy with a view of getting some money and I could not help thinking how fortunate I was in being provided. I paid him a part on account and he spent an hour in desultory conversation.2 He is one of the men whom a partial amount of information has rendered unsettled in life. He kept me so long I was unable to walk as usual and returned immediately home. Livy.

The child appeared quite unwell today and caused us some anxiety from the effect it appeared to produce upon his head. Thus it is anxiety is one of the ingredients of a man’s existence. Afternoon, I read a little of Burnet and translated a little of Plutarch. But the afternoons vanish almost like smoke. Evening, read von Tietz and afterwards wrote upon Mr. Webster’s Speech, and replies to Washington.3

Fine, clear and mild day. I went to the Office but could do very little as I had visitors nearly all day. First, Mr. Walsh, then A. H. Everett, R. Freeman, Mr. N. Curtis and Josiah Quincy Jr. The two last, the only persons coming in upon business, Mr. Curtis to consult upon a letter of Mr. Vaughan’s to him1 and Quincy to propose that a house should be built for Mr. Lunt upon land my father was to give. I told him I could not pledge my father but that I fancied he was disposed to do every thing he could to promote Mr. Lunt’s comfort and remaining in the town.

Home late where I read little of Livy. The baby appeared better but still with ugly appearances. Afternoon, very slow in my progress with Plutarch. Shall I have the courage to go on. Also Burnet and a little German. Evening Mr. Brooks took tea with us. Finished Von Tietz and afterwards wrote upon the perplexed subject of the currency.

Clear. I went to the Office and was engaged in my usual occupation of Accounts and making up the Arrears of my Diary which the extraordinary interruptions of the last few days has occasioned. The very short time I spend at the Office hardly is sufficient for my purposes and yet if it was more I know I should waste it. Walk with Mr. Walsh. The season is about as fine a one as I ever knew. There has been hardly a cloud in the sky for ten days and the air though clear is cold enough to be bracing.

Received today from T. B. Adams the remittance made by him to New Orleans so long ago. It is now too late to be of much service to me. Mr. Harrod who sends it excuses himself on the plea that he could not transmit it safely before without great loss. As it is he sends a draft on the Merchants’ Bank payable on the 11th of February.1

Home. Livy. Afternoon, continued working upon Plutarch with 168whom however I go on very slowly. Burnet and German. Evening finished an article upon Mr. Webster’s Speech. G. Gorham was in for an hour.