Morning at home, unwell, cold in my head, assorting Newspapers, Voltaire, Executive Record, evening with the ladies.

Christmas day, and weather turning exceedingly cold. A family party to dine at my Uncle Frye’s, besides us, were Mr. and Mrs. Barrel,2 Mr. Crowninshield and Col. Abert.3 I came in after riding with John “par complaisance.” The dinner was good but I was glad to get home as my taste is not dining out excepting perhaps at one or two places.

Weather very bad. Went to dine in Georgetown at Baron Huyghens’, the Dutch Minister. The company consisted of the Corps Diplomatique. But there was more than enough and so we were some of us in danger of getting nothing. It was settled finally by one of the daughters’ leaving the room which gave the desired place. Such an affair is very aukward particularly when you are one of the persons left out. Such happened to be my case. Mr. Rebello2 and I were in some train to be compelled to divide one chair between us. The dinner was very good. And I drank more wine than usual. On our return, we just dropped in at Gen. Jessup’s, found very few there and dropped out again.

The weather has turned bitterly cold. I went to Mrs. Clay’s alone. So very few there however that it was quite dull. I was quite disposed to be prosaic and was glad to get home. Satterllee Clark who is here, told me the particulars of an affair which had occurred in the morning which is likely to create a very considerable sensation. It related to Calhoun’s administration of the War Department.2