Morning beautiful and mild. I went to the Office as usual, and passed my time a little better than I have been in the practice of doing heretofore—As I was able to read and complete the first Volume of Minot’s Continuation. A work I hold in very little estimation from its apparent labour in doing nothing. A history should have substance not be like a shadow always eluding the grasp. To be sure he has also the least interesting period of our history to deal with.

I was unavoidably occupied in trifles some part of the day, but this I never expect to get over. It seems the tax usual upon a man with an Office of his own. Returned home and passed the Afternoon in reading Cicero as usual. Completed a considerable portion but was stuck at one or two passages. This is always the case upon a first examination. Horatio Brooks returned and spent the evening so that our regular avocations having been interrupted I thought I would take the opportunity to finish Symmons. He is too abusive. I think he has the right side but does not manage it adroitly. His book is however on the whole interesting. Afterwards, two numbers of the Tatler.