I was up very early this morning and off for Boston before breakfast, which I reached at seven o’clock and went to breakfast with Mr. Frothingham. He shewed me the news from Europe by the last arrival which gives something of the effect attending our great step here though only the first part. The report is that the three American Houses of Wildes, Wiggin and Wilson have stopped.1 This has been expected for several months. I had no time to dwell but went to my Office where I was called for to go to Cambridge. Nobody with me again but Judge Merrill. We arrived again before any body was ready to receive us and waited for Professor Felton who soon after appeared and introduced us into his recitation room where the Sophomore class soon after appeared.

The examination was in one play of Euripides, Alcestis which was given to the lowest section. Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles to the second section, and the Oedipus coloneus, and Antigone for the best. I was not familiar with either of the plays and somewhat mistrusted my capacity for judging recitations of them, but found no difficulty excepting in the Antigone which is difficult of hard construction. The recitations generally were not nearly so good as those made on Monday. They showed less familiarity with the language and far less with the subjects treated, and I thought the professor although far better in external manner was more in the fashion of Apathy which distinguishes every thing at Cambridge.2 The class was large and the examination took three hours and a half. We dined as usual, our company 278consisting of Professor Longfellow, a very young looking man, and Dr. Adams who is, it seems, President of a College in South Carolina.

Returned to town by three and after an hour in Accounts at the Office, home to Quincy, thus finishing three days of examinations which terminate the year. I had a little time left which I spent at my House, where they are going on pretty fast. Evening quiet at home. Mr. Beale and his youngest daughter came in.

Morning clear but cool. I was occupied a good deal of my time at the house and also in some little matters of business. Called at the Quincy Stone Bank to pay the balance of a Note due there by my father in September, but they being unwilling to receive it beforehand, I transferred the debt to myself and propose to redeem my own debt at the Merchant’s Bank in Boston. This will answer just the same purpose.

Read sixty or seventy lines of the fifth book of the Iliad with facility. I think I am now by degrees fixing my claws into the Greek language. Afternoon, Wieland and the Abderites which I have not touched for some time.

Walk to Mr. Quincy’s over the fields to avoid the dust, but in doing that I got into a swamp just on the other side of the brook. I remembered all this only as it used to be in my grandfather’s day, but it has not improved in the interval. Nobody at Q’s but my Wife and Mrs. J. Adams. A little talk with music and then home—I, walking, the ladies riding by Mr. Quincy’s civility.

Morning fine and warm. I went to town. Met Sidney Brooks and Mr. Davis of New York1 and went in with them into Mr. Brooks’ Office, where there was talk of the news from Europe by which it appears that the bankers so long the object of speculation have all failed and many other houses with them. Indeed a great panic seems to have taken place. This will not be so serious in it’s effect now as it would 279have been some months ago, but will nevertheless cause a continuance of distress. I found Sidney had not received my answer to his Note and therefore invited him over again.2

My time was much taken up in Accounts and commissions and I had one or two visitors. One upon the house now vacant in Hancock Street, and one, Mr. Whitcomb, who is now a clerk in one of the Offices at Washington. He seemed to seek conversation upon the subject of currency, earnestly urged some action on the part of my father and such persons as thought with him, and the support of Mr. Van Buren disconnected from the Benton interest. I told him exactly how I felt in respect to Mr. Van Buren, that I was disgusted with Mr. Kendall and felt no confidence in the Administration, that I could now do nothing if I would, the only remaining Newspaper in Boston in which I could publish my opinions, being now closed. He said that Mr. Kendall was bold and thus acquired a position more imposing than solid, but that Mr. Van Buren was timid and disposed to do right if he could be supported. I gave him one of my pamphlets, and he went away without my being able to decide how far he was speaking the opinions of the Office people at Washington and how far his own.

I was delayed until late and did not get to Quincy until after the gentlemen. Mr. Davis talked much at dinner but seemed somewhat affected by the news. They left us early, after which I went up to Mrs. T. B. Adams—for the ladies who were just returning with Miss Greenleaf from fear of a shower. I remained for an hour and then home. Appearances of rain but none in fact.