Colder. Exercises as usual. Evening at home.

I devoted an hour to my collection of medals this morning. Attended divine service as usual. Heard Mr. Robbins preach from 1 Kings 4. 13. “And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.” Upon domestic harmony and the practice of exercising the family affections. This history of Elisha and the Shunnamite woman had been the topic of a discourse of Dr. Frothingham’s last Sunday far superior in pathos and force to this of Mr. Robbins’.

Afternoon, Mr. Barrett. John 8. 12. “Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world.” This speech coming from 200such a person, whose station in life and mode of education by no means justified its being made, wonderfully verified as it has been by the spread of the Gospel satisfies the preacher that he could have been no mere mortal. The point is a strong one and was not badly put, but Mr. Barrett is so unfortunate in his delivery as to make listening to him positively painful.

Dr. Hayley furnished the day’s sermon from the English Preacher. Colossians 3. 14. “Above all these things, put on charity which is the bond of perfectness.” Upon charity and sensible. Evening at home. Went on with Burr.

Fine day. Time as usual. Evening sixth Assembly.

At the Office where I dispatched two of my papers upon currency to Mr. Buckingham. I hope this will stimulate me to further exertion although I am afraid not for even in this first instance of it I failed to go on. My ambition is dead. It is injurious to me even to hope for any distinction in this life as the elevation is followed by as instantaneous a depression. My duty however is to try, and so I continue at brief intervals to throw out some thing with a consciousness perpetually falling in its estimate of my power of acting upon others. The position which my father has assumed and in which I follow him is not one of very easy attainment. I fear that I shall utterly fail in making any thing out of it.

Reading today one of my Grandfather’s MS reflections upon Government I found a very deep and wise discussion of the parties which agitate our country. And in it I saw my own fate as a politician clearly marked. Began Philoctetes being the fifth play of Sophocles that I have attempted. After dinner Crevier, and resuming upon the Ms.

Evening, the sixth Assembly, as pleasant as any of it’s predecessors. These have made an agreeable impression upon me of Boston Society, which though not so very brilliant and hightoned as that of more fashionable capitals has perhaps a more quiet and well regulated spirit.

Fine day. Time as usual. Evening small party at Miss Scollay’s.

At the Office I busied myself very assiduously in my work upon my articles but made slow progress. The public news is stationary. The rumor of Mr. Calhoun’s appointment turns out to be thin air. The 201Whig newspapers as usual are busy in carving out for the President what he shall do, while those of his side are holding back uncommitted in order that they may approve whatever he does. I see not a symptom of probability that my father will be selected although I am more and more convinced he is the man who should go. The probability now is that nobody will be sent for the present, and while it will do any good. In the mean time, however, things upon the frontier look rather better.

Read Philoctetes which is easy Greek. After dinner, Crevier and further work upon the MS.

Evening to Miss Scollay’s. She piques herself upon uniting at her house the most cultivated people and commonly makes dull parties. Met Dr. Channing there and had some conversation with him about general matters of speculation. He is undoubtedly an able man and I believe a sincere one but I apprehend he does not live enough among his fellows to understand fully the extent of their moving impulses. He treated me however with very great civility and asked me to call and see him which I do not know but I may do.