Morning at the Office. Time occupied in making my record for the three preceding days which was somewhat laborious. Called in to see Mr. Brooks who seemed to speak as if his Wife was better. Richardson called for a few minutes and Mr. Curtis. The latter read a letter for my Father which arrived here from the House of Baring, being another act of Mr. Petty Vaughan’s Play. I enclosed this with a bill for Thomas J. Hellen and sent them both to my Father.1 But on reflection I find my morning wasted very much in the manner they all are. This is bad but I hardly know how to correct it.

I returned home and after dinner devoted myself to the Oration on the Crown in which I made some progress. The text is not so difficult 158to understand as that of Aeschines, and the style is more polished. I feel pleased as I go on. I took part of the time, as the ladies were out, to attempt a little of my second Essay. Mr. Child not having published my first in his Saturday’s paper gives me a little respite. Perhaps he may not publish it at all—How do I know. If not he ought to return it agreeably to my request. I succeeded in forming a skeleton of an Essay, this evening which I shall fill up at leisure. It embraced the prominent points of defective deliberative Oratory. I then recollected it was time to go to Edward Brooks’ to the weekly Meeting. The usual persons were there, and the guests enumerated at the last Meeting, with the addition of Mr. Shepherd who came in upon a visit without any intention of interfering. Our time was merry but I did not enjoy it; We returned and I read some of Lord Kaimes.