Morning mild and pleasant but it grew thick and began to snow before evening. I went to the Office as usual. One or two calls. I wrote my Diary and devoted the remainder of my time to finishing the draught of my Essay which I did. The arrangement having been already pretty well made out in my mind I could write it off without much hesitation but the labour of the file will be very great if I ever undertake it. I read the whole over after finishing and thought I perceived many good points but much to be changed.

I did not gain any walk today. Read Ovid finishing the fragment of the Halieuticon which to the naturalist with Pliny to aid him must be curious. Mr. Brooks had a small company to dinner today. Judge Lyman of Northampton, Mr. R. D. Shepherd, Mr. Frothingham and Edward Brooks. It was quite pleasant. I lost the Afternoon and evening. Began a french modern Tale which Mr. Frothingham lent me as a specimen of their style. Evening short.