A fine day although rather cool. I went to the Office and was occupied as usual. My time somewhat taken up however by Mr. Spear, who came in from Quincy with his usual variety of information. He informed me that Mr. Carr had taken a little offence at my strictness of investigation into title, and had concluded to decline the loan. I was not sorry for this at all. I offered the sum last Autumn entirely from a wish to accommodate and enable Mr. Carr to erect a House for himself, and therefore could be released from the burden only by his consent. Other matters we talked over but decided nothing. I could not get an opportunity to walk.

Home. Afternoon reading Burnet and Forster. My Wife was out and in the evening we paid a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham. Talk. Literary and pleasant. Home. Finished Chateaubriand’s Itineraire. A book more valuable in the beginning than the end.

This is the fourth of March. A new era begins in the Government of the Country which will probably vary considerably from the preceding ones, but whether for better or for worse remains yet to be tested.

Morning cloudy with a slight sprinkling of snow but not sufficient to cover the ground. I amused myself in the morning looking over a book of Dr. Alcott’s lately published.1 This is one of the great dreamers of the day who commit ridiculous follies and think it wisdom.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Frothingham preach from Proverbs 18. 14. “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” A beautiful discourse moral and consolatory.

Afternoon, F. Parkman “Deuteronomy 6. 6 and 7. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up.” Upon the instruction of the young, together with an episode upon cruelty to animals. The worthy clergyman hazarded a little clerical play upon words, for which in private life he is so remarkably. He is the most of a parson by nature, I ever met.2 Mr. Walsh dined with me but I walked alone. Afternoon reading the last discourse in the works of Dr. Barrow. 1. Corinthians 3. 16. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you.” Upon the Holy Ghost as a separate being from God, his nature and Office. This discussion involves the whole question of the Trinity. I have never felt any great avidity for that sort of discussion. The mind has much matter for exercise strictly within its limits of comprehension. And when once pushed into open sea it is apt to sink. The Holy Ghost is of all the mysteries of the Christian religion the greatest, and I feel myself incompetent to approach it. In the evening, at home. Nothing of consequence. I read a little of Chateaubriand’s Martyrs3 and finished Lamartine.