It rained when I arose and there was a rainbow in the West which Sailors generally would consider a forerunner of bad weather. The day was nevertheless clear and mild as if it was September. I went to the Office. My whole time again taken up in Accounts and paying bills. Mr. Curtis called and I delivered to him the leases. It is not a little remarkable that when I bring down a valuable book here to read, my time appears immediately to be so taken up that there is not an instant to attend to any thing of the sort. However as the Quarter time 189passes, my leisure will increase, and I am quite determined I will not waste so much of it as I have been in the habit of doing.

Called upon Mr. Hallet to disclose my father’s plan to him, but he was not at home. Took a walk. My mother and Elizabeth C. Adams came in, the latter to see me but I had given up all idea of seeing them so that I was out of the way.

Afternoon engaged in copying a long Letter to Mr. G. A. Otis from my father. I also finished the volume of Letters, which my Grandfather did not complete. By trying to get in too much he failed in getting enough. The State Papers he inserted would have been preserved in other shapes. The remarks in self defence which he would have made are now lost. So it is with fate. Read the remainder of Brittanicus together with La Harpe’s Commentary upon it.1 Lounger as usual.