A cold, cloudy day. I accompanied by Mr. Brooks rode to town. Morning passed very quietly at my Office where I made progress in Mr. Jefferson’s book. His Journal contains a good deal of interesting information upon a variety of subjects belonging to the cultivation, products &ca. of the Country he went through. Mr. T. Davis called upon me for an Autograph of my grandfather which I had promised him. He sat here conversing an hour or two.

Returned to Medford. Afternoon, Mandeville. Very drowsy. Ovid, Helen to Paris, and Leander to Hero. Evening, Hume’s Essays. That on the Balance of Trade is worth considerable reflection. He rather inclines against our system of credit. And I do not know but with some justice. Hume is an agreeable writer. His thoughts are never commonplace, though not always very convincing. He gives an easy motion to his style which carries you along even when you feel disposed to withdraw your assent from the truth of his positions.