Morning cool but fine weather. I remained quietly at home and finished the review of the first Philippic and of the first Olynthiac, but I want Reiske’s edition to make the study thorough. I do not think I ever saw a work more complete in itself than that edition of Reiske. As a model for editions to satisfy students it is deserving of imitation, though rather too heavy for very general use.1 I finished to day the numbers of the Federalist and have been on the whole very much benefitted by this examination of it. I now propose to read the Debates in the Conventions of the several States. They are curious enough.

Afternoon, began the letters to Atticus, but I thought that for exercise I would try to fish again, with yesterday’s success. Read Bacon’s Essay upon Fortune and in the evening went with the ladies to Mrs. Josiah Quincy’s. We found a few of the same set, and had a musical party. Miss Roberdeau and Mr. R. Apthorp2 making the substance of it. Returned at ten, myself walking, and finished by reading two numbers of the Spectator.