Morning fine and rather warm. I went out with Louisa who seems languid. Then to the Office where I was occupied with Diary and Accounts. Wrote a short answer to a notice of my fifth number of Political Speculation, which was inserted in the Advocate.1 It is just like every thing which proceeds from the friends of Mr. Webster, a gross perversion of the true state of facts. I endeavour to avoid altercation.

Wrote a Note to Spear requesting him to procure me a woman to air the House at Quincy.2 I do not feel as if I can go out at this crisis. Called to see Mr. Hallett but did not find him in. Then went home. Read Juvenal, Gifford’s Translation of the second Satire. His Notes are extremely valuable. After dinner. Worked upon my Pamphlet Catalogue, and read Duclos whom I have gone through with getting about as little from him as was ever got from any Author.

Took up Crabbe’s Poems and read the second part of the Village together with the first of the Parish Register. There is great vigour in his lines and truth in his delineation, but the view of human nature is painful. We have always loved so much the innocent delusion which attaches all the happiness of primitive life to a Cottage that we cannot 146easily reconcile ourselves to the painful reality. Evening at home. Conversation with my Wife. After which Wilhelm Meister.