Fine morning. I went to the Office after finishing the Bride of Messina. There is a great deal of very beautiful Poetry in this play and a pretty close imitation of the character of the ancient Greek Theatre but I do not feel convinced of the truth of the argument for it’s restoration. The Chorus can be introduced with the least propriety1 only in 101scenes of a public character, and even in these they only give utterance to a series of bald commonplaces. But these make fine Poems dressed up with the imagery allowable to the lyric style.

Office. I did not remain long as I was obliged to go to the Boylston Market for the purpose of making up a long neglected record. This kept me until my usual time for a walk. Home. Having finished Ovid my hour is now unemployed. I read Grimm to fill it up. Finished the volume of Mons. Guizot but I am not certain whether I shall follow him through the six others.

My time is now drawing to a close at this House. On the first of May I propose to return to my own and I confess I look forward to it with some pleasure. To be sure it has it’s cares, but then on the other hand it has the pleasure of independence. Evening, read some of the letters of Lord Bacon particularly to the Earl of Essex but his character wants more study than I can give here.