Fine day although yet very cool. I have caught a severe cold which makes me feel it somewhat more than I probably otherwise should. Attended Divine service at Mr. Frothingham’s and heard him in the morning from Ecclesiastes 2. 20. “Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.” It was against despair as being unjustifiable both from the changes which are constantly occurring in the world, and from the deeper reasons drawn from our religious duties. Mr. Lunt1 in the afternoon from Romans 2. 14 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.” A discussion of the obligations of law prompted by mere nature, which was very dry and not particularly striking in any way.

Read a funeral Oration from Massillon upon the “Grand Monarque” Louis 14th. Ecclesiastes. 1. 16–17. He considers him as a King and a Christian. The age of this Louis was one of great glory to the French, but it is difficult to bestow unqualified praise to him on account of it. His wars were all of them unjustifiable, and his domestic administration was one of cruel oppression. His religion was bigotry, and his generosity, injustice. Few Monarchs of late times have undergone greater vicissitudes of fortune, and perhaps the hour when he was greatest was after adversity had made him feel almost every variety of disappointment.

In the evening, at home. The child and her nurse are both unwell with the complaint of the season.