The day was cloudy with rain. I went to the Office and passed the greater part of my morning in reading Bradford. He fails more as he 173goes into the more important period. His views are narrow and his arguments little or nothing. The poor man was eaten up to a great degree by party feeling. He had worked himself into a frenzy so that he thought old political disputes should be made to bear upon new ones. Neither should be treated by the historian with any violence of feeling.

I went, notwithstanding the rain, to see the collection of fruit for the Anniversary dinner of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. It was generally handsome. But a good deal of the finest especially in Peaches was from New York. This vicinity shone particularly in grapes and pears. The Apples also were very enormous and fine. The crowd was not great. I felt no temptation to dine, having generally an aversion to that sort of public celebration.1

On returning home, found my brother John’s wife and children had come in to spend the day. She is still unwell with her cough. My mother was so much indisposed as not to be able to come in. They went out early in the afternoon. I read Hutchinson and the State Papers of Massachusetts getting through the documents of minor importance. I must bend my attention to the main question until I feel secure that I can grasp it. Evening at home very quietly. Read a Chapter of Scott’s fair Maid of Perth to my Wife. Virgil and the Mirror as usual.