Damp, misty day. I went to the Office as usual. My numbers upon the Currency come out now more rapidly than I can supply them. This is owing to the sickness of Mr. Hallett at Washinghton which prevents his writing. I am disappointed when I read them printed, and yet they contain no little thought and some investigation. At any rate, they amuse me and furnish opportunity for wholesome occupation of mind.

Mr. Walsh came in and one or two others. Occupied in Accounts, and afterwards in making purchases of little matters. Home Livy, the breaking out of the war with Perseus of Macedon in which we should always remember we are reading the Roman account.

Afternoon, read the rest of Buffon’s Account of Man. On the whole 177very interesting, but being somewhat behind hand I concluded to write a portion of another article on the Currency. I thus was enabled to get one ready before I went to bed. Evening, Schloss Hainfeld finished, and the Countess of Blessington whose conversations are very amusing.

Morning clear and mild but gradually becoming colder. I went to the Office. Amused by the letters from Washington. They give an account of the investigating Committee coming across General Jackson in a most amusing manner. The old man is despotic to the last. His government has done much to strengthen the Executive branch which previous events had weakened, and it may be supposed he has thus considerably added to the duration of the system. Yet it is agreeable to get rid of him. One breathes easier under the idea of a responsible President. At the Advocate Office to leave another number, where I found Mr. Everett. Talk about this letter.

Stopped in at a meeting of Middlesex Canal Directors to organize, found it was all done. Mr. Burril came in with an eloquent appeal from his wife about the House. She has the fancy for grandiloquence and is yet a very smart, active woman. I replied briefly stating that her husband was entirely in fault. His delay had caused the trouble. I should sustain Mr. Spear’s decision.

Had company to dine. Edward Blake, E. Quincy, W. G. Gorham and T. K. Davis. Venison and a peacock. I name the dish for it’s singularity. Pleasant party, which broke up at seven, and shortly afterwards, I went down to Mr. Brooks’ to a small party. The Inches family. Mr. and Mrs. Paige, the Dehons and a few others. There was a small supper very handsome and tolerably pleasant. Home in very good season.

Morning colder than usual. I went to the Office as upon every day. Mr. Beale came in with a petition or I should say a subscription for an Organ in the Meeting House at Quincy. I subscribed because I was obliged to follow suit with the rest. J. Quincy came in at the same time about a house for Mr. Lunt. He had written to my father and received an answer by which he refers the whole subject to me. I told him that the letter appeared to refer to a sale of land but his object appeared to 178be to procure it as a gift.1 He said that it did, for without being understood upon this point, he could not present to Mr. Lunt’s immediate friends any adequate motive for exertion. I told him I would take the responsibility of assuming that the land would be given. He then said he would write to Mr. Hedge and Mr. Parsons. I had a call from Mr. Walsh and then to see Mr. Brooks. Home, Livy. Afternoon, Burnet, rather heavy. Evening Lady Blessington after which I wrote until quite a late hour. The press now goes on faster than I do.