A fine day although cool. Morning I hear the children read a portion of the bible which takes much time before the service. Dr. Gray of Roxbury preached from Proverbs 25. 28. “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.” And from 2. Timothy 5. 22. “Neither be partaker of other men’s sins.” Dr. Gray is very clever but very common place. Many men could write worse sermons and make them at least to me far more interesting. The hour had been changed today and I was belated.

Read a discourse of Sterne’s upon the course of the world disregardful of all the warnings of religion. 2 Peter 3. 11. “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved,—what manner of persons ought ye to 327be in all holy conversation and godliness? Looking for and hastening unto the coming of God.” Sterne’s description of the manners and morals of high life in his day was no doubt correct then, but the world has changed since his time for better or worse. Morality is more fashionable and aristocracy is more democratic. Still there is however a great deal to gain in this path.

I was engaged in reading Ross’s Voyage most of the day when not otherwise occupied, but I had one interruption in a visit paid to Mr. J. Quincy with the ladies and another in a call at Mrs. T. B. Adams, to take leave of Elizabeth who goes to Fishkill to pass much of the winter,1 and of John Quincy who starts upon another long cruise.