Cloudy and east wind. Office. Proprietors of South Cove. Evening at home.

After coins, to the Office. Bringing up Diary bravely. Nothing however that is new. The political world at Washington is dull, the commercial world is dull and we are all dull. Home to read Antigone but got caught in the parlour with company so that I barely finished the most difficult chorus in Sophocles, the song of rejoicing over the discomfiture of the Argian host led on by Polynices.

After dinner, to the United States Hotel to the Proprietors meeting of the South Cove. Mr. Nichols’ plan was adopted, nem. con.1 and the 374board of Directors elected to match. I was much provoked at the leaving off of Mr. Nathl. Curtis, whose good judgment I would trust more than almost any body’s whom I know. At any rate the present plan will give us separate property and the control of all our rights.

Home. Evening, read to my Wife my new Article upon the New York Review with which she seemed satisfied. I am nevertheless writing over a part.

Chilly but mild. Office. Division as usual. Evening at home.

After going to Market I went to the Office and at last succeeded in bringing up the long Arrears of Diary occasioned by my week’s absence to New York. Deacon Spear came in from Quincy, and I settled my account with him. Mr. Fuller also spent an hour examining Mr. Boylston’s Accounts.

Home to read Antigone. After dinner, Sharon Turner, and in the evening reading Walpole to my Wife. Then writing over one sheet of my Article which I shall spread one half in the process. This is very fatiguing.

Pleasant day. Divine Service. Evening at Mr. Brooks’.

After an hour devoted to the instruction of my children I attended divine service and heard Dr. Parkman preach from Ecclesiastes 7. 10. “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.” Upon the comparative value of ancient and modern habits and morals, and the prevailing tendency to see in the past, merits which are not in the present. The fault of our age is rather in the opposite extreme.

Afternoon 1. Corinthians 9. 22. “I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” A very sensible discourse by Dr. Frothingham upon that phrase which taken from Saint Paul’s application to himself is now usually made a word of reproach. There is discrimination to be exercised here as every where. The adaptation of one’s self to others is to be judged of by the impelling motives which are at the bottom of all conduct.

Read a Sermon by Dr. Foster in the English Preacher 1. Peter 2. 21 375“Leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps.” The example of Christ as a moral and practical lesson to mankind. Walk with the children.

Evening, we went to Mr. Brooks’ and spent an hour very pleasantly. Nobody there but H. G. Gorham. Home where I finished my new sheet and read over the whole being much dissatisfied, feel tempted to write over or throw off.