Quite a cold day, with a sharp east wind driving the smoke into the west end of the town. I went with Mrs Adams to the Chapel in Vere Street to try the new pew. It has two disadvantages— One of being so far behind the desk that the service is not always audible, though the sermon being better enunciated was. The topic of the discourse was the example of Christ, and the argument against discouragement from supposing imitation not attainable. It was plain and clear and strong. I gathered it well. The other disadvantage was the state of the air which was so peculiar as to cause more or less general coughing all through the service. Visit from Mr Parkers who talked much as usual. Walk and all upon Mr Bates who has returned from new Lodge slightly better. His trouble which he calls asthmatic, but which appears to me to be dropsy, is not removed. He seemed however in better spirits, and at one time lively. As his brother came in to give him a medicine I observed that it was probably a new thing for him to be dealing in such prescriptions He said, yes. But he was milling to take any thing to get well. I much fear he is beyond the help of drugs. Evening at home. I read a little of Vanity Fair.