Fine day. Distribution as usual. Evening, visit Mrs. Blake’s.

At the Office where however I had a visit from I. Hull Adams which disabled me from doing any thing about Burr. Communicated with him respecting the affairs of T. B. Adams but settled nothing. Time in fact wasted.

Continued the Trachinians, and after dinner the pursuit of knowledge. A man may be learned and not be useful. The thing is to combine the two.

In the evening Mrs. Adams and I called at Mr. Otis’ to see Mrs. Ritchie but finding her not at home we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Blake, with whom we had a very pleasant evening. And looked over some engravings of Paine’s. There are a collection of Morghen’s which are very valuable.1 Heads of painters most of whom however I have in 213the British Gallery, the collection of which is at Quincy.2 Home at ten. Sparks.

Fine day. Time as usual.

I have very little to say concerning my use of time today beyond what I must every day record. At my Office I had some business to transact and accounts to look over, and as usual time to waste. Went home in time to study the Trachinians. I certainly find much greater facility than formerly in reading Greek which satisfies me my time is not thrown away. This piece turns entirely upon love and jealousy.

After dinner, the pursuit of knowledge. This is a very interesting piece of composition. The more I reflect upon the matter the more my mind is led to the conclusion that political fame is not all in all. There appear to be so many barriers in the way of my progress in this direction that I believe I will cut all prospect of official success and enlarge my mind into the theories and practice of the world. I meditate now entering upon a course of study upon Government with a view to a series of lectures in two or three years.

Evening at home. Sparks.

Beautiful day. Time given to exercises as usual. Evening at Mrs. Frothingham’s.

I spent the morning hour with my daughter, in reading two chapters in the book of Genesis, hearing her repeat a hymn of Watts and one of Mrs. Barbauld.

Attended divine service and heard Dr. Frothingham preach from Luke 6. 26. “Wo unto you when all men shall speak well of you.” An admirable discourse upon the value of fame, with allusions to the classes of men some of which seek too much to run counter to the opinion of the world and others follow it implicitly. I could not help thinking the Dr. had in his mind as models for his description my father and Governor Everett who are indeed antipodes in this respect. He went on to recommend an adherence to the strict rule of upright-214ness in conduct respecting public opinion as often right without obeying it when certainly wrong which did me good because it encouraged me to persevere in a course of conduct which I have selected very much upon the principle laid down. Afternoon, Matthew 16. 6. “Then Jesus said unto them Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces.”

Read a discourse in the English Preacher by Mr. Gough upon the necessity of virtue in all things. James 2. 11. “For he that said do not commit adultery said also do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” A sensible discourse upon this difficult text. Finished the pursuit of knowledge, and on the whole have received an impulse from it.

Evening at Mrs. Frothingham’s where were the Wales family. He goes tomorrow for a week or two to New York.