This morning was colder than any we had yet experienced. I do 408not know how long this is going to last, but I think the sooner it is over the better. I wished to go to Quincy and actually ordered a Carriage for the purpose, but I was informed that the Snow was lying so deep that two horses could not get along and I felt too cold to venture out in an open Sleigh. So I gave up the idea.

My morning was passed partly in finishing my Article upon Railroads and partly at the Probate Office passing my second account upon the Estate of Mr. New, which I at last got through with. This is very good, for now the rest is plain. To be sure the Creditors have not received any satisfaction, but that is not my fault. I have not been paid for my trouble and am not likely to be. All I know about it is, that I have done my best.

In the afternoon, I began the Oration for Sext. Roscius of Ameria and read through the first half with ease, so that I found my previous study of them much more valuable than I had imagined. It is wonderfully able. The exposition of the whole conduct of the freedman of Sylla and the two relations of Roscius is in the very first style of an Orator. Evening, reading the book upon Spain after which, Vossius and the Tatler.