Fine morning. I went to the Office and was engaged there as usual. Mr. Spear came in from Quincy and conversed with me upon the subject of the various matters left by my father. He has acted more strangely this time than ever. He has left all his Affairs at sixes and sevens and intrusted none to me. I am not sorry for this as I have enough of my own to take care of. But I am afraid his property will not be much improved by the change.

Diary, and out to take a walk. Called at Cunningham’s to see some 269Coins advertised for sale. I should like to have them but cannot at present afford them. Walk. Home. Juvenal. Finished the eleventh and began the twelfth Satire.

Afternoon, reading Rousseau’s Contrat Social. He is a strong writer and a very ingenious thinker. Let Voltaire say what he will of him. I then wrote part of an Essay for the Newspaper the commencement of which satisfied me better than any thing I have done.

Evening quietly at home. Worked upon my Coins but little. Instead of which I read some Biographies in the Portrait Gallery.1 The baby was sick and the Dr. came to see it.