Morning pleasant and warm with a hazy atmosphere more common in hot climates than here. I went to town and was occupied pretty 266constantly. Went to my House where I copied a letter I had written to T. B. Adams.1 Received a letter from T. B. Johnson, dated at Paris May 14.2 He seems in better spirits than he has been but does not think of moving. Got a note from Mr. C. P. Curtis requesting more copies of my Pamphlet.3 He seems the only person who keeps it in mind. I sent him a dozen, having some time since, ceased to circulate any myself. Some time passed in accounts and commissions and then home.

Afternoon upon the hill. The work goes on rather slowly. I wasted my time somewhat in superintendence. Evening at home quietly. Conversation with my father. Public affairs, which seem to his mind to be of engrossing interest.

Morning cloudy and threatening rain, but the wind rose and somewhat dispersed the clouds. I passed much of my time at the House, superintending as usual. We have got nearly through with the heavy work and are now about to proceed to the more agreeable duty of finishing. This will however take a long time. My carpenter threatens two months longer, in which case it will probably be three.

Walked up to see Mr. Brigham about the glass and saw the letter from the Agent which struck me with surprise. He either misunderstands very much the nature of the order given or he is disposed to be very rough. I must try and see him.

Home, read Homer, and Miss Martineau’s book upon America which has just come out and is making some noise.1 There is a great mixture of sense and absurdity, truth and pedantry in her writing. Afternoon, Wieland’s Abderites, of which there is too much. Evening at home.

Morning pleasant but with a remarkably smoky atmosphere which seemed very much to intercept the rays of the sun. I amused myself reading Miss Martineau. Her descriptions of scenery and manners form the most pleasing part of her work. You do not so often have occasion to notice the person who is speaking, to think that she is deaf, opinionated and conceited and has the restless character of mind pe-267culiar to women who think themselves profound. She thinks women should participate in politics, which they are now doing extensively in this country, somewhat, as I suspect at her instigation. Slavery is the great topic for her to enlarge upon.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt from Matthew 22. 30. “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven,” and in the afternoon from Romans. 4. 18. “who against hope, believed in hope,” but as usual when I get out here I lose all possible control over my mind. Country life has its pleasures and advantages but one of the difficulties is it’s tendency to unsettle the thoughts.

Mr. Degrand was here in the afternoon. I read a sermon of Sterne’s from Job 2. 10. “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil also?” An endeavor at explanation of the passage that gives rise to this answer, and then a view of the heathen philosophy of consolation under adversity, contrasted with the maxims of religion—a good discourse. Evening walked with the ladies of the family to see Mrs. Adams. Found Mrs. Angier and several others. Indeed a roomfull. Home shortly after nine.