Cloudy but very mild. Division as usual. Evening to Salem. Lecture.

After coins, I went to the Office and was occupied in accounts as usual. Nothing very material. The Country seems to be staggering under the present disorders of the currency. I see no prospect upon any side which can be considered as the least encouraging. We must brace ourselves down by reducing our expenses, and incurring no extravagance. Home to read Antigone.

After dinner I went down to the Depot of the Eastern Railroad and crossing the Ferry started in one of the cars for Salem. There were in the cars Mr. C. W. Upham and his Wife and Sister, who discovering that I was bound there to deliver my Lecture were civil enough to ask me to tea and in the evening.

The audience was a very large one and very attentive although not disposed to applaud. I thought the effect of it was quite as good as I had known it at any time. Great civilities from Mr. Silsbee, Judge White, Mr. Sprague and others. Pleasant conversation afterwards at Mr. Upham’s until ten when I went to the Mansion House to bed.

Mild, spring day. To Boston. Division as usual. Evening at home. Mr. Brooks.

I arose early and after a rapid breakfast, made the best of my way to town again in the Railroad train which left at half past eight o’clock. The weather was summerlike and the frost appears to be coming out of the ground in all directions. As I was returning, the facility with which we were borne this distance set me thinking upon the effect which all these various roads converging on Boston must have upon the increase of the place. So that notwithstanding the disadvantages attending the present unsettled condition of the currency and the credit system I incline to think this city will get along. This is encouraging to those who like myself are property holders in these parts. Home by ten and then went on with my usual avocations.

Office where a serious application for my house comforted my doubts much. This winter has been about as discouraging one as I know. I have lost half a years rent and all Dividends upon Factory property besides diminished income upon Insurance Stock. This with 377the increase of cost from the thoughtless expense of last year has made me for the first time in my married life run behind hand in a quarter.

Home to read Antigone. After dinner Sharon Turner. And copying MS. Evening Mr. Brooks at our house.