Morning quite cold. I finished the fourth volume of Drake’s Essays and the literary life of Dr. Johnson before morning Service. I have not derived so much information from this as from the preceding part of the Work. Probably because the character and Works of Dr. J. are more familiar to me. The whole book is written with some affectation which I cannot bear, but otherwise decently enough.

Attended with my Wife and Miss Adams at Mr. Frothingham’s in the morning. In the afternoon quite alone. Mr. Greenwood preached a dry Sermon upon the incomprehensible character of God and Mr. Frothingham an equally dry one upon some other subject. Returned home and was occupied the rest of the day in finishing and copying, to send away, my letter to my Father1 and one to T. B. Adams Jr.2 upon his affairs. This took me into the Evening, after which the Port Royal Greek Grammar3 and the Tatler.