A summer’s day with the wind at west and a lovely breeze. The changes which take place every twenty four hours are astonishing. I 90remained quietly at home all day and was occupied very steadily. Read Livy in the twenty seventh book, the account of the most gloomy period of the Punic War for the Romans after the death of Marcellus and when the two Carthaginian armies were in Italy. I also wrote an article being the fourth to the unpledged voters. The third is not published as yet and I strongly suspect does not very well suit the taste of the Editor. I feel somewhat of a desire soon to withdraw myself from the unprofitable contest of politics. But before I do it, my desire is to put upon record my opinions exactly as I hold them. My course during the time that I have attempted to lead the sentiment of the people through the Newspapers, has been one of a decided and yet a moderate nature. And while unwilling to identify myself with the excesses of Mr. Hallett, I have tried my best to prostrate his opponents. How much remains to be done, time must show.

Afternoon busy in assorting the MS papers in which I made a little progress. This must be more assiduously followed up. The ladies took tea at Mrs. T. B. Adams, and my father and I walked up in the evening. We found there Mrs. Foster with Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. The weather changed suddenly again and we had rain with a very dark walk home.

The day was cold with a North East wind and drizzle, which is another alternation of the temperature in a short space of time. I went to town and found myself having very little leisure. At the Office, a succession of persons. Mr. Walsh, Mr. N. Curtis, Mr. William Spear and a man by the name of Hartwell whom he brought with him about digging a well for me. Mr. Ayer also called and promised to furnish me the statements he was making next week on Tuesday. Hartwell who has now an abundance of employment and can find no time to do my work also engaged to answer on Tuesday. I had also a good deal of money to draw and pay out, besides purchasing a bill on France to transmit to Mr. Johnson his Quarter’s Income, and despatching a letter to go by the New York and Havre Packet of the 14th.1 I thus was fully engaged until the time for returning home.

At dinner today, Mr. and Mrs. Lunt, Elizabeth C. Adams, Mrs. Adams, Miss Smith and Joseph H. Adams. A sort of notice of the birth day of Mrs. J. Adams and her daughter Fanny. The one is thirty and 91the other six.2 Time passes over our heads with much rapidity now. My next birthday will count the same number. After dinner Mr. and Mrs. Lunt spent the afternoon. Conversation various but not very interesting. They went at dusk, and we played afterwards a game at Whist, that is Miss Smith, Miss Adams, Mrs. J. Adams and myself. The two former returned home at eight after which my evening occupation as usual. Looking into Loudon.