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.

Clear and mild. Distribution as usual. Evening at Mr. Story’s.

Very extraordinary weather for this season of the year. I went out today without any overcoat, a thing unexampled in this climate. After coins, went to the Office. Time wasted there but I succeeded in renting my house. Did not get home in time to read Antigone. No fire in my study and perfectly comfortable.

Afternoon, Sharon Turner and Manuscripts. I am now going to work in earnest to advance that biography. Evening a small party of the family at Mrs. Story’s. Not very pleasant but I did very well. Home by a clear moon.

Mild weather. Division as usual. Evening at home. H. G. Gorham.

This is my usual day for going to Market and omitting coins. Office as usual where there was nothing new. Finished my Quarterly Account for the year 1839 to send to my father and received a check from Mr. T. B. Johnson which concludes his business. I am glad nowadays to reduce my liabilities as much as possible.

The late failure of C. R. Lowell makes some noise and furnishes another lesson of the danger of unlimited trust of sons in money affairs.1

Home to read Antigone. Afternoon, Sharon Turner. Evening, a visit from H. G. Gorham. Nothing new. Read the Elgin and Phigaleian Marbles in The Library of Entertaining Knowledge.2

Lovely day, but warm. Divine service and duties as usual. Evening to E. Brooks’.

A very uncommon day for this season of the year being very warm, so that I found a surtout oppressive. After my usual lesson with my 378children I attended divine service and heard Dr. Frothingham from Ezekiel 12. 27 “The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.” Another sermon directed against the doctrines of the Millenium which are now pushed by Miller. The Dr. appeared anxious to press his points farther than he did on the preceding occasion and to discriminate between the sorts of prophecy which are to be found in the Bible, those relating to events then approaching and now long since passed, and those referring to a long distant period which are not likely to have any termination that it is in the power of man to define.

Afternoon a certain Mr. Bakewell from England who has come to this country with a view of settling. Sermon from John 19. 30.33. Too long to quote. But it related to miracles and went over the usual arguments upon the subject with clearness and force. His reading in the Scriptures and the Hymns was remarkably good. A rare excellence.

Walk with the children. Read another sermon in the English Preacher upon the example of Christ in continuation of last Sunday, and from the same text. Evening, my Wife and I went to Edward Brooks’ and spent the evening. Pleasant enough.