Morning at the Office after the usual portion of time passed in reading Aeschines. Engaged in reading La Politique Naturelle, which turns out to be a high toned paper of the Revolutionary period of France, written before it and probably contributing in some degree to the catastrophe. There is much in it of valuable1 and then again there is a little that looks more like the ranting of Demagogues than sober sense. I was interrupted by superintending the repairs of Mr. Welsh’s which have nearly reached a close. The cost will probably be greater than it ought but the room is now put into complete repair, and will I hope give me no trouble for some time. I wish I could throw up this business for it is a terrible thing to have a doubt about the propriety of what one does.

Returned home, and in the Afternoon was occupied in finishing and carefully reviewing the Oration upon the Answers of the Haruspices. Every time I do this satisfies me that the Author is not felt comparatively upon the first reading.

Evening. Received letters from my father and John which announce the probability, of my father and Mother’s coming on soon.2 Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham came in and passed an hour pleasantly enough. After which I read Mackenzie and two numbers of the Spectator.