Clear. Office. Time as usual. Evening at home.

At the Office I did little or nothing. My last paper upon Currency was published and adds one more to the list of fruitless efforts. I read it over today and am confirmed in my belief that it is good, even though I stand alone in it.

Walk round the South Cove to watch the improvements going on in the property. My stake in it makes me feel anxious in these times of difficulty.

Finished Philoctetes, a remarkable specimen of the ancient Greek drama as it has hardly any plot at all. The dialogue is extremely rapid 207and the text easy. I shall therefore omit a Review of it and instead, go on to the Trachinians with a view of reading all the rest of Sophocles this winter. Afternoon, the Chinese. On with Burr.

Fine day. Exercises as usual. Evening, visiters at home.

I continued my exercises with my little girl this morning, and she read two chapters of Genesis and committed another part of a hymn of Watts. I also went on with Burr. I find the morning the best time for composition and hence I shall take down to the Office this draft of my Article which does not satisfy me as it now stands and write it over there.

Attended divine service and heard Dr. Frothingham preach from Matthew 21. 8. “And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way. Others cut down branches from the trees and strewed them in the way.” An occasional discourse in commemoration of Palm Sunday, very beautifully composed. Also from the same chapter in the afternoon four verses below, relating the act of Christ in driving the money changers out of the temple at Jerusalem. I recollected this sermon well, and it’s peculiar view of the energy, zeal and activity of the Saviour.

Read a sermon of Dr. Herring, in the British Preacher from Luke 10. 36.37. “Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves? And he said, he that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise.” Upon the parable of the good Samaritan which has much of a lesson in it to every man at this day.

Evening, Edmund Quincy took tea with us and after he went, H. Gardiner Gorham spent an hour or two in conversation. After which I on with Burr. Heavy. Heavy. Heavy.

Day fine. Time divided as usual. Evening at Mrs. Everett’s.

My time at the Office is now a little on my hands and I am not sure that I make the very best use of it. Walk and Accounts. Began today the play of the Trachinians, founded upon the death of Hercules the great giant killer of antiquity.

Afternoon the Chinese, a remarkable people whose history is really worth studying. There is something a little extraordinary in the fact of 208the opposition of the habits and manners and customs of the two most civilized races of the world, the European of the Caucasus, and the Asiatic Mongol. We settle it however in America that we know every thing, and the rest of the world is benighted. Happy self-complacency which each Nation cultivates towards all the rest.

Evening at Mrs. Everett’s where we had a few of the family and nothing new. Burr.