Cool and extremely windy. Office. Afternoon to a funeral at Charlestown.

As this was the first day of a new quarter I was much occupied in collecting Dividends and in going over accounts. For this purpose took a walk to the Washington Bank as usual.

The letter of Mr. Biddle resigning is a quiet composed one as his always are. But taking into consideration the case of the Vicksburg Bank, the panic in Philadelphia, the fall of the price of Bank shares in New York since January I cannot help regarding the fact as of more importance than it looks. But it is clear we must find out for ourselves.

The Trachinians. After noon I walked over to Charlestown and attended the funeral of an Aunt of my Wife’s, Mrs. Bartlett who died aged 72.1 I have never seen her. She has been an invalid for many years and retired from all her friends. Home with Edward Brooks. Finished the Chinese. Evening at home. Robinson Crusoe to the children and finished Burr.

Cool and clear. Distribution as usual. Evening at home.

My time at the Office was again much taken up in Accounts. Paid off one of my Notes of the South Cove Company making the third. There are two left about which I propose to make arrangement as soon as possible. For that debt worries me a good deal. The State of the Stock market is such as to disable me from converting any thing that I possess to advantage. I have nevertheless so far done wonders and hope I shall continue and persevere.

Continue Greek. After dinner read another publication of the Library of Entertaining Knowledge being the Search for Knowledge under difficulties. The instances are too much crowded for the memory. Evening at home. Read over Burr and was disgusted. O dear!

Cloudy and cold. Morning to Quincy. Day as usual.

The day was not pleasant but I felt obliged to go and attend to my affairs at Quincy which now begin to press upon me. My Wife went with me and stopped at Mrs. T. B. Adams’s. My morning was consumed in writing down tasks and seeing workmen. The ground how- 212ever looks cold and the country ungenial. Called and transacted business with Mrs. Adams and Elizabeth and then glad to get home.

Afternoon, the pursuit of knowledge under difficulties, a work calculated to be somewhat useful. Evening at home. Read to my Wife a part of my Article upon Burr and was a little better pleased with it. Gardiner Gorham came in and stopped it. Afterwards, Read Sparks’ Life of Washington.