The air had a much colder feeling this morning, and more suitable to the advanced period of the Season. But it was still cloudy and drizzle. I went to the Office, where I read my German as usual, only interrupted by several applicants for my small House and by Mr. 370Curtis who called expecting to meet here Mr. D. Greenleaf to finish the business of the Neponset Bridge Shares. But the latter did not come.1 I then went to the Athenaeum to obtain one or two books instead of my old ones which I have already kept too long. Met Edward Brooks there and we conversed some time upon indifferent matters taking up the time until two o’clock.

After dinner, I was occupied upon Cicero de Oratore for some time, but my study again smoked so much I had my attention very much broken. I completed however the second portion of the third Book—Though relapsing a little into my superficial mode of reading. This will cause a review, which will I hope be now pretty thorough. I think this book is worth most attentive study by any one who wishes to learn the principles of Oratory. I read besides the usual quantity of Corinne with my Wife, a little of Lady Morgan’s Book of the Boudoir, a Work I have heard much derided.2 Afterwards Finished the Tenth Book of Paradise Lost and reviewed a part of it, besides reading my Two Numbers of the Tatler.