This morning upon getting up I found myself somewhat indisposed, and as there seemed to be no cause to which I could clearly trace it, I immediately concluded to take medicine. My father went into town to dine with Dr. Parkman. I remained quietly at home in some degree uncomfortable though not much so. My morning was consumed in pasting labels and in reading over with some attention Stone’s book upon the Masons. As far as I went I took an abstract of the facts in the case of Morgan’s murder as well to fix them more clearly as for future reference.

My afternoon was not passed so usefully. I continued pasting labels and only dipped a little into a volume or two of Bayle’s Letters.1 He teaches how to doubt, but that is useless unless he goes a step farther. Doubting is an easy business.

My father returned at about seven. I read to the Ladies a little of Granville and afterwards had some conversation with my father upon the subject of the Revolution. I find my own impressions were not incorrect in regard to the ancient history. If a man in reading coolly consults the right and the wrong he cannot very often be mistaken. There is a standard existing in his mind by which every thing can be tried. Yet my father suggested one idea to me this evening which I had not fully weighed.