Morning clear and pleasant. I went to the Office where after arranging my Accounts and crediting my Tenant Miss Oliver for the Money she has at last paid, I sat down to read Enfield whom I pursued with perseverance enough to finish the sketch of the Italic School, and the doctrines of Epicurus, which seem by no means so unreasonable as one would suppose from imagining those to be his which now bear his name. Pleasure is the chief good in life. Who denies it. But No syllogism should be formed upon this basis until the word Pleasure is defined. Epicurus explained it very correctly, his followers made it a Cloak for the indulgence of their Passions. And he has borne the public condemnation of Centuries for their Crimes. Such is the Justice of posterity.

Took a walk and returned home. The air was fine though cold. After dinner I continued and finished the Oratoriae Partitiones of Cicero, and began a review of it. It wants interest but is a valuable Summary of the whole doctrine. I know not why I should read Vossius beside who only borrows the same substance, but I did continue him in the evening. And read Spain to my Wife. Afterwards the Tatler.