Showery with more thunder and lightning through the rest of the day than we have had all the Season. I felt compelled to go to town where, after learning from casual report that my father had gone up to Hudson on the North River and reading some of Major Hordynski’s book upon Poland,1 my gentleman came and we proceeded to view the premises. After treating a good while, discussing this and that and the other thing, he concluded to take it at the advanced rent provided I made a great deal of repair. As on the whole it was not a bad bargain for me, I concluded upon it, although that House has already swallowed up far more than it’s Rent.2

Returned to Quincy though somewhat later than usual. Afternoon, I read Seneca and finished the treatise upon shortness of life. His remarks upon the misemployment of time in trifling studies are valuable. Although as action is the universal wish, it may be doubted whether a division of labour which throws some of it into useless but innocent channels is not beneficial to man. It rained so much that we did not walk out. I read some of Mr. Canning’s Political Life,3 and finished the Rambler. Commenced the Adventurer.