Foggy morning with a heavy shower but it afterwards cleared and became very warm. I accompanied Mrs. Frothingham into town who terminated her visit with us today. My own time taken up as it always is in a variety of little commissions and in the transaction of money affairs, then to the House to procure some things which I wanted and from thence I returned home in the carriage, rather earlier than usual.

Afternoon reading Pliny. Letters about his Uncle’s death interesting but Pliny as a letter writer does not gain on you as you advance. He has much which commands your respect, but is artificial to a degree which makes you cease to like him. Continued Grahame. In the evening, for the first time it was pleasant outside the house. Letters from Washington announcing the speedy return of the family.1