Easterly dull drizzle. Office where I did not do much. Mr. Walsh came in and gave me some account of the meeting at Faneuil Hall last evening. It seems Mr. Hallett was entirely put down. He rallied but 210about three hundred whereas the Custom House carried six hundred and more. All his propositions were voted down and in short instead of a victory it was a defeat. I was somewhat amused at this result. Mr. Walsh himself appeared rather disgusted with the radicals whom before then he rather favoured. The truth is, their materials are fifth rate, and Mr. Hallett in using them looks to himself as a manager of instruments.

A. H. Everett afterwards came in and we talked it all over. He seems not sorry at this result. On the whole, he seems as uneasy under the attempted guidance of Mr. Hallett as I do. He resumed the subject of a Newspaper which I had broached to him, as T. K. Davis and I had talked it over. He seemed to favour the idea much. But I told him I doubted D’s courage. He said the best way would be to leave all matters for my father’s return and then consult.

Home. Homer. I read about forty lines a day. At this rate how long shall I be through the Iliad? Afternoon, Burnet and Plutarch. A great deal of wisdom in this Essay, I propose to translate. Evening at the play, the Belle’s Stratagem,1 a piece I never saw before. Letitia Hardy, Miss Tree and very well done, the other parts very indifferently supported. The piece itself has little merit. Home after the first Act of the Ransom. Read over the play and was struck with it’s poverty.

Rain and clouds. Office where I turned my attention very much to the work of Arrears and with tolerable success. I gain no intelligence from Washington which surprises me a little. The accounts from New York of money matters do not vary much. But this morning there is a story here that a couple of brokers have committed a fraud, in retaining bills or notes or rather not accounting for the proceeds to the givers.1

Athenaeum where I entered one of my rights for Mr. Walsh. Call at Mr. Brooks’. He told me, Mr. Henry Lee2 had spoken well of my Pamphlet and thought it ought to have more circulation. I said, I had a good many spare copies and if he would circulate a few among his friends, I should be pleased. He said he would and I sent him a dozen.

Home late. After, read the opinions of the Supreme Court in the case of the Charles River bridge. I am not much edified by either of the three opinions. McLean’s appears to me however to be the nearest 211to the right. He has too much of the Lawyer about his, but Story’s is all Law and Taney’s all sophistry.3 Evening, by engagement, to see old Mrs. S. Dexter.4 Mr. Brooks, my wife and myself. This is an annual visit, and she is one of the humourists of the last age. We returned at ten.