Fine day but it gradually clouded up. I was occupied in the morning pretty industriously upon my proposed review which is going on slowly and not very satisfactorily. I incline to distrust of myself.

At the Mansion house where I read the Newspapers. Found my fourth number inserted but very badly printed. This is one of the vexations incident to the American Newspaper Press. Well, they are printed and will find nobody to approve of them. All parties will vote them disagreeable because they run in lines with none. Why should I trouble my head with composition when I can follow my humour so much more luxuriously in study.

Passed some time in examining old MS. Mrs. E. Everett and Mrs. Frothingham with her son Thomas came out to dine and spend two or three hours. Of course I could do little during the remainder of the day, but a few lines of the first book of Lucretius. Evening in consequence of the setting in of rain in slight showers we did not go down as usual, but I sat and read Bayle.