Fine clear day. Office. Accounts and reading a part of Sismondi’s Political Economy which sketches historically the science very well.1 The agricultural theory, the mercantile theory, and that of which Adam Smith was the founder appear to be the three stages of the science. They have contributed something to the truth, but the last has perhaps been the only substantial system.

Walk to the Athenaeum and thence home with more books for my medallic studies. I take much interest in this but find my field too limited. How can I extend it? There is a set of coins at the Athenaeum but they are boxed up. Herodotus, and Addison on coins.

Evening reading until nine when I attended a wedding visit of Mr. and Mrs. Amory, who is a daughter of the late Mr. Greene and an heiress,2 the third which members of that family have married. There was much company but nobody in whom I felt much interest and I presume they reciprocated the sentiment for I came home thinking of the emptiness of human amusement in formal circles.

The days are cold and clear but very fine for the season. I go to the Office and having now commonly leisure time, read some of Sismondi, but it is extraordinary how the time flies. I rarely can command my attention to more than one chapter. I am still busy about the affair of Mr. Johnson’s houses without stirring an inch. Called to see Mr. Appleton and went down with him to direct Mr. Stanwood to make the conveyances.

Home. Herodotus which is becoming more easy and more interesting. In the afternoon, a volume of la Science des Medailles, originally written by father Jobert but largely improved by an Editor and Commentator.1 I have now finished all of my Essay upon the currency excepting the passage reserved for the President’s Message that is to come tomorrow. But the printers are as usual excessively dilatory.