Morning clear and pleasant for the season. As soon after breakfast as practicable we returned to town. I was better pleased with this visit 71to Medford than with any previous one. After a few moments at my house, I went to the Office and sat down to read as usual. I began the first Chapter of Pufendorf again, but was soon interrupted so as to be unable to resume it again this day.

My father came in and spoke to me about a Number of things which he had desired to have done and I accordingly undertook to do his Commissions whatever they might be. He wished to see Mr. Curtis and accordingly I sent for him and as they were in my Office and conversing upon the subject of Mr. Boylston’s Affairs, I was unable to do much of any thing. Nor did they go until nearly time for me to return home. Mr. Lewis came to see me as I was going with the acceptable offering of some rent—Altogether an agreeable thing. I conversed with him a little upon Mrs. Lewis’ removal, in which she seemed to intimate that I had been a little too precipitate. I told him that I should like to talk with him about it, as I had no doubt but that we might agree upon the subject finally. And so there is yet hope of letting the House. Returned after depositing the Money, and upon going home, found Mr. Everett and my Father sitting with Abby. Alexander, I mean, for the other one I generally call by his name. They made us wait for dinner some time and put me no little out of humour.

In the afternoon, Mr. Frothingham came and examined my library with which he seemed not a little pleased. But I was prevented from reading or studying the whole afternoon, and in the evening, I passed the time in reading to Abby from Clarissa Harlowe, after which I completed La Harpe’s Chapter upon the Philosophy of Cicero.