Weather doubtful, more than half the time showery. T. K. Davis called in the morning and sat talking until noon. We then accompanied my father to see the studio of a sculptor by name Pettrich who called here this morning and who is seeking for employment. He had a bust of Commodore Rodgers which was very good, two of a couple of Indian chiefs done with great spirit and some sketches in charcoal on his walls of the same which appeared to me well done. I think this man has much talent.1

From here we went into Pennsylvania Avenue and I parted from Davis with the object of making a call upon Mr. J. Pope. He is now a Representative from Kentucky.2 I found him in a poor room enough, but enjoying it alone. The surprise to me is that men who live comfortably and even luxuriously at home can submit to spend half their time here in the Metropolis in such lodgings. Conversation mainly political. Pope is disposed to be non committal. He has no fondness for any man among the leaders, and opposes the Administration just enough to keep himself well at home. He appears to be shrewd in his judgment, but not great either by nature or education.

Home. Dine at the President’s by invitation. Mr. Tallmadge and his daughter with his brother the Senator, Mr. Howard, his Wife, and daughter and Miss Swan of Baltimore, Mr. Rives, Mr. Legaré of S.C., T. K. Davis, my Wife and myself with two sons of the President made the company. A small dinner in what used to be called the yellow sitting room, next to the Circular room. The house looks in much better condition than it ever did before within my knowledge. The dinner was therefore very conservative in its character and for a democratic President sufficiently aristocratic. Mr. Van Buren is very well fitted for the ceremonials of Office but I cannot help mistrusting upon more important points a great deficiency within. Perhaps I may be in error. I sat between the sons of the President, two youths of little acquirement and less talent. The dinner was fatiguing and I was glad to get away at ten o’clock home.

Of all the gentlemen whom I have met with here Mr. Rives is the man whose personal address has pleased me most. On my return I found my father reading the Journal of Commerce sent to him containing the letters to Mr. Biddle all in one paper.3 I had expected that press would from its slightly neutral position transfer them as it has done.

The weather is constantly showery and unpleasant. I went out early this morning to call upon T. K. Davis at Mrs. Latimer’s. Found him sitting with the Prussian Chargé d’Affaires, the Baron de Roenne. Upon my entering, Davis said they had been talking of my pamphlets, and thereupon the Baron took occasion to speak with great politeness of them and said that he had procured them when at Northampton and forwarded them to his Government. This as the testimony of an impartial witness is the most gratifying thing I have yet met with. The Pamphlets have been smothered by party in this Country, but that they deserved a better fate I have hope in believing.

A. H. Everett spoke of my letters to Mr. Biddle, and of a notice in the Globe which I looked at. This is a trap. It alludes to my former pamphlet upon Executive patronage in such a manner as either to desire to draw me into the appearance of having taken a side or to get my father’s name associated with this answer to Mr. Biddle.1 I did not like the notice as well as that in the Journal of Commerce.

T. K. Davis accompanied me to see Mr. Fletcher, our representative whose position since his unfortunate affair has made me feel some sympathy for him.2 He was quite civil and although manifestly soured towards the Whigs and their leader in our State seemed to be in tolerable spirits.

From here we went to Church at the Presbyterian church formerly Mr. Baker’s.3 A young man preached from Isaiah 55. 2. “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not?” A sermon marked by the characteristics of this 37school, plain, dealing much in ordinary illustration, direct and delivered extemporaneously in a very animated manner, at the same time, very common place and a little minatory.

We returned home in a shower and then Davis and I called to see Mr. Woodbury. Found him at his door and was introduced into a room where was one of the Van Buren’s flirting with the daughter. A short visit. Woodbury is a good looking man but with a half closed, sneaking eye, which I would never trust. Dine early and conversation.

Davis went at five, and I spent the rest of the day reading a discourse of Buckminster’s. Luke 8. 18. “Take heed how ye hear.” Upon the little effect of pulpit instruction, it’s causes and remedies mainly on the part of hearers. I somewhat doubt whether it is not difficult to define the value of pulpit instruction. It runs into all the details of life with a current scarcely perceptible. We expect too much from it when we imagine it will rectify all the evil inclinations of man.