The day was bright but the wind had come round from the north and gave us a very different temperature. I was occupied during my morning rather more usefully than common. Read the remainder of the seventh book of the Iliad and a good deal of Malthus whose book does not appear to me nearly so good as his preface promised. I also superintended much of the labour upon the hill and went down to Mr. Greenleaf’s wharf and took a bath. The air was cold to be sure but I enjoyed it’s bracing freshness after the fatigue and heat of yesterday.

Afternoon, engaged principally upon the hill in hastening the work which lags. Evening, the ladies out to tea. I played Loto with the children until they went to bed, after which I walked to Mrs. Adams’. As usual, a large family. A round game1 and home.

I went to town this morning and the cold north wind reminded me of the approach of Autumn too forcibly to be mistaken. My time was taken up in accounts and commissions. Went to the house where I met my Wife who came in with my mother in the Carriage, and I took my little girl Louisa to the Dentist to remove a tooth.

This over, which cost me as much as it did her, I went back and called upon Mr. Brooks. Conversation with him about Stanwood’s affairs and Mr. Johnson’s Mortgages.1 He advised me to see Mr. Appleton. The rest of my stay in town was taken up in dispatching a remittance on Mr. Johnson’s Acct to the Barings. This detained me a little.

Afternoon passed entirely at the house superintending the remainder of the work, of which there does not at least appear to be much. Evening with the children playing Loto and afterwards writing the tenth draft of an article upon the Currency.

A clear fine day. I was at home spending my time in much the usual way. The town was quite alive with a military Review which took place, but I only saw from my house what was passing. Read a hundred lines of the eighth book of the Iliad and sat down with more perseverance to writing. But why should I write without object? What good is to be expected from any effort of mine? My time is better employed digging the earth—as I do in the afternoon for amusement at my hill.

The political news from Washington is somewhat singular. There are rumors of a secession by Mr. Calhoun and his friends to Mr. Van Buren. This will be a damper to the expectations of the Whigs not by any means amiss and it will at the same time go far to consolidate their party upon better principles than have heretofore prevailed. Elizabeth 315DeWint spent the day here. Evening Loto as usual. The night was cold and reminded us of the advance of the season.