Morning fine and tolerably warm. I read some of the first book of Virgil’s Aeneid and went to the Office. Mr. Peabody called in and 195asked me to take a walk with him. We went over Craigie’s bridge to Charlestown and home again. Nothing particular—Conversation about politics and general subjects.

On my return found Kirke in with the Carriage and my Mother. I started to see her, but as I wished to call for a moment at the Advocate office, Mr. Hallet stopped me to talk upon several points of importance. The consequence that on reaching home I found her just starting. She informed me of the death of Thomas J. Hellen, in Fairfax County Virginia, of brain fever after two days illness.1 Poor fellow—His life was thrown away in nothings. His mind was constituted so peculiarly that the ordinary considerations which act upon men very feebly influenced him. The world will bear no traces of his existence and his friends will feel no grief at his loss. He had been in life a cipher.

I took a ride in the afternoon to improve my digestion. On my return, sat down and put the finish to my Article upon Hutchinson. I then commenced a series of political papers for the present election. Mr. Hallet wished me to take up some subject and I selected the one of Antimasonic Proscription.2 Wrote till midnight.

Morning clear and cool. My Wife took advantage of it and rode out for the first time. Our course hitherto has been exceedingly prosperous, she having recovered very gradually and without any material drawback.

Finished my first number upon Proscription and a little specimen of a skit about which I have my doubts. At the Office engaged all the morning with visitors. First, Mr. Ladd who is the Tenant of the house 103. Tremont Street and wants repairs done. He sat a great while, Conant from Weston coming in and after him Judge Hall, the latter 196about nothing, the former about his lease. Conversation was kept up until the bell rung one, and my whole time appeared to have gone like a flash.

Rode to Quincy to dine. Found the family much as usual—My father perhaps in not quite so good spirits from the answer of Governor Lincoln to him.1 I think he has lost his diplomacy as he has advanced in life. No longer having objects to gain, he has indulged in the expression of private opinion to persons in whom he could as he thought confide. The consequence is that when they have a mind to, they become snakes and bite him. So it is with Governor Lincoln. One great rule with politicians should be to treat friends as if they might one day become enemies, and enemies as if they might become friends. And a difficulty in my father’s bold and energetic style is that it puts positions in so striking a shape as to be used by enemies against himself as decisively as it can be for him. A passage in one of his previous letters to Lincoln of which the latter reminds him is one of these and if published at this crisis would hurt him confoundedly.2 He has committed an error also of which he is aware, in trusting any thing to Alexander H. Everett.

Returned home after visiting the Tenants again uselessly. My Wife had a bad tooth ach.

In replying to Lincoln, JQA reserved until later a full discussion of “my consistency with myself on the subject of Masons and Masonry, and the purity of your Administration from ‘the reproach of Masonic influence upon Executive Appointments.’” However, in the meantime, in view of Lincoln’s be-197lief that publication of JQA’s letter to him about Davis would involve Lincoln in the controversy, JQA offered assurance he would not publish it: “It is sufficient for me to know your unwillingness to give this testimony to deny myself the benefit of it, were it even more necessary for my justification than I suppose it to be.” (19 Oct. 1833, same.)