Washington Friday Feb. 20th 1863.
Rather a dull day in the office there being but little to do on the Examining Board. I have spent most of the day reading old Saml Pepys Diary written two hundred years ago during Charles 2nds reign. It gives a not very flattering picture of English society at that time. In looking at that age and then at the present, any one must acknowledge that great progress has been made in the morals of refined Society. One is surprised at the conduct which was tolerated in that day, especialy in and around the Court. Pepys himself occupied a responsible position under the Crown, something nearly equivalent to the Sec’y of our Navy. The old Villin was constantly accepting bribes for he notes down all He did and all his thoughts from day to day. He casts up his accounts at the end of every month and piously blesses God that he is getting on in the world so well, the hypocrite, full of pride and vanity and an ardent admirer of the Ladies. I am not through with him yet. There is no news today worthy of note. The French have invaded Mexico and from all accounts are getting roughly handled there. It is thought by many that we will be at War with France soon. Most assuredly we shall if she intervenes in our war with the south or acknowledges its Independance. I have spent most of the evening over to Charleys (or the Doctors) as he is called. Played a game of chess with him, in my room at 10.