Morning clear but it clouded afterwards and rained steadily in the evening. Day divided into study and supervision of the work upon my ground.

Finished Locke’s Tract upon Education. A strong, sensibly written Essay full of truth of a practical kind. I think he underrates the value of the exercise of the memory as well as of the study of the Classics. In all other respects I think him correct, and feel glad I have read him. Also Lessing in continuation p. 235–275. A person who should devote himself to criticism would find great advantage in studying him. I think I could succeed in the business if I was to try, but my studies have not laid that way.

Afternoon Lucretius finishing the first book. The text must be much injured as well by conjectural emendation as I think, as by time. I also read a few letters of Bayle, one of the earliest of the modern school of critics, and Grimm who is acute as any of them. Germany seems to produce this article in perfection. At the Mansion in the evening. My Wife was quite unwell all day.