Very cold and clear, distribution as usual. Evening at Mr. Brooks’.

At the Office where I found John Kirk with an announcement that 160his stable was broken open and the harnesses were gone. Lucky that it was not the horses. Mine however escaped. We have had rather singular fortunes in the way of robbery this year. Two other men applying for the farm at Weston. Nothing new. Alcestis, and Coins. Sidney Brooks came in and took tea after which we went down to Mr. Brooks in Pearl Street and found there a party of the family. Tolerably pleasant. Home early.

Cold but it moderated before night. Distribution as usual.

Christmas day but with us commonly the quietest day of the year. I saw nobody and went on with my usual avocations just as regularly as ever. How different it used to be when I was a boy and knew not the meaning of the days. Perhaps this is the greatest point of contrast between the pleasures of boyhood and man’s age.

At the Office in Accounts. Then to the Athenaeum where I picked up a book or two more upon coins. Alcestis and Coins. My Wife dined out at her sick friend’s Mrs. Gorham’s. Evening French and a visit from Mr. Brooks for an hour. After which Crevier. Thus I have about as monotonous a record to make as if it was the commonest day of the year.

Pleasant day, distribution as usual. Evening at home.

I passed my day quietly enough. At the Office I began an examination of my Accounts for the last six months to see the reason of some discrepancies which I could not understand, but was interrupted by Mr. Angier who came on Account of his last Quarterly demand and by Mr. Stanwood about Mr. Johnson’s affairs.

Athenaeum and home. Alcestis. After dinner coins in which I now make visible progress. I have got to the time of Heliogabalus. An hour of time is consumed by the children’s lessons and another in the evening by Mrs. Adams’ french. After which we read a little of Miss Martineau and then I continue Crevier. The records of the times of Nero and Caligula.

Pleasant day, usual course, evening visit Mr. Brooks.

At the Office I executed my entire revision of the accounts of the 161last six months and rectified two small errors which had crept into the arrangement. But it took up my time excepting a visit to Kauffer and to warn him out of the premises,1 and a walk. Then Alcestis the review of which I finished today and with which I am as much pleased as with any Greek drama I have yet read. Coins and Crevier. Mr. Brooks was here in the evening and talked pleasantly for a couple of hours. Miss Martineau and French.