Morning cloudy and cool. I went to the Office and passed my time very quietly. Mr. Walsh came in and had a talk and I wrote up Diary which is constantly falling into arrears. Nothing new. Walk and Home.

Met Mr. Wm. Thomas of Plymouth who spoke to me of my papers and appeared pleased with them. I think he is the first person who has 181paid me any notice. I am nearly through with them. This day produced in print the 6th number and there will be two more at most.1

Livy—began the forty fourth book, the blunders of the Roman General and of Perseus. This reminds me of Marlborough’s remark that his victory was owing only to his committing one blunder less than his adversary. Afternoon, Burnet—Charles and James. Insufferable tyrants. Chateaubriand. His visit to the ruins of Sparta which I recollect very well reading before. Evening at home. T. B. Frothingham came in for a little while. Afterwards, Lamartine and then writing.

Cooler but clear. I went to the Office. Received a letter from Mr. Pearce in answer to mine, but not very encouraging to Mr. Walsh’s application.1 Also, a letter from my Mother asking me to go on.2 This I have no disposition to do. The state of things at Washington is by no means of a kind to render the place an agreeable residence. My father’s course deprives him in a great degree of the sympathies of the two parties and prevents my securing any of it myself. The furnace of politics is in many other respects disagreeable and to be avoided. I am better at home amusing myself with the currency and house building.

Accounts. Mr. Walsh came in and we afterwards took a walk, fine air. Livy, the latter pages of which I am now reading. What a pity we had not the continued history. Sylla and Marius, Pompey and Caesar and Cicero, Cato, Brutus and Augustus. Afternoon, Burnet and Chateaubriand. Evening, wrote my last number of Currency matters, slightly reviewing Mr. Rives’ ground furnished me by the kindness of Mr. A. H. Everett.

Went in the evening to Edward Brooks’, family as usual, with the addition of some of his Wife’s relations, Mrs. Friem and Miss Wells. Mr. Chapman of Greenfield came in at supper time. He is a memorable character in an intrigue that I well remember.3 He devoted himself entirely to the Governor and among other things intimated that the resignation of Mr. Webster was certain. If so, we shall probably arrive at the consummation so fixedly viewed by me, the overthrow of the Whig power.