A sort of a wet day but it finally cleared away. I went to the Office, first however, calling in to see some furniture imported from France which is to be sold tomorrow. From thence I went to Beal’s Ware-201house and after much discussion struck up a bargain for a parcel of his furniture for my proposed building at Quincy. Thus I found myself much shortened at the Office for time.

Mr. Gibson then came in for advice respecting the Articles which have appeared in the Advocate in reply, as well as those of the Post in attack. I told him my opinion of the injudicious character of the smaller articles which make personal quarrels with the Post. He admitted it and complained of the course of Mr. Paine. The gentleman has the characteristics of his family strongly marked and occasionally indulges in fits of temper which render him an imprudent person to head an establishment. He has given to the Post great opportunity for reply, which my original article was intended to shut him out from. However, after going over the ground very fully, I told Mr. Gibson I would furnish him an Article by five o’clock in the Afternoon. I went home and was busy writing until after four when I returned to the Office and finished a draft in reply. Mr. G. called very shortly after and I read it to him. He appeared satisfied with it and took it away with him to publish in the morning, but he was disposed to talk a great deal which kept me until nearly six in the evening.

Home to tea, and then to the Theatre. Miss Tree as Violante in the Wonder.1 I have never before seen her in this or the piece itself. It is one of the very broad style of pieces which women formerly were able to hazard upon the stage without risk of an explosion, but is not without considerable dramatic effect. Hield as Felix was tolerable. The other parts very feebly supported. Afterwards, the Ransom, only the first Act of which we remained to see. Home by ten. Moore.

I went to the Auction sale of Furniture but the prices were too high for me. Then to the Office. Mr. Gibson again came in but gave way to Mr. William Spear from Quincy who came for various matters connected with Quincy interests. After dispatching his business, Mr. Paine came in, and shortly afterwards Mr. Gibson again. The first appeared to be under the operation of very strong feeling, and seemed desirous of explaining to me his reasons for the articles he had written. I was glad both were present as Gibson had evidently made representations of my opinions which to say the least of them were safer to come from myself. I explained to Paine my reasons for the opinions I had ex-202pressed at the same time absolving him from all blame. He finally concluded by admitting he had been hasty and then he inquired what he was expected to do. I told him the best thing to do was to pass over the whole matter until Mr. Hallett should come home.

Mr. Gibson remained longer. The article I furnished did not appear, and the question was what to do with it, another having shown itself in the Post containing it’s own statement of the matter of the Collectorship. I told him, I would revise the copy if sent back to me, which I did in the Afternoon. I have some suspicion this is the last piece of service I shall be called to do for the Advocate. Perhaps it will be better for me if it is. Politics are bad enough, God knows. And I am so shackled that I had better have meddled with any other topic.

Evening, I did little. Conversation with my wife who is in one of her poorly turns. Afterwards, reading Moore. This is a pleasant book because it throws into strong relief the particular features of his hero’s character. Byron was a genius under circumstances strongly adverse to a favourable development of his powers.