My books and my old diaries being packed up for some time and not to be obtained in all probability for a year at least, and the circumstance of my entering now into a mode of life entirely new and in some respects worthy of remembrance, induces me to begin anew. I shall attempt in this book to combine both my former plans of Index and Journal. I commence with the date as above because on that morning I took leave of Washington where I had passed many very pleasant and I may say also many very painful hours. The very last ones were marked by the same fate which had overspread them all, a mingled variety of good and evil feelings, arising equally from feelings of strong passion. I will not here nor indeed any where give in detail any account of these moments. Suffice it to say that I left the place with feelings which repaid me for all I had formerly endured, and at this distance of time I enjoy a sort of indefinable gratification 147whenever my thoughts turn that way, at the idea of duty performed, of feelings subdued, and I will add also, of vanity and pride gratified.