Heavy rain with a N. E. Wind which came on to blow very heavily at night. I remained at home all day reading.

Continued Locke’s Essay p. 162–220. The ideas of duration, expansion and number all resulting from the repetitions of a simple idea. Mr. Locke certainly explains himself clearly. His theory does not come half fledged. I also continued Lessing enquiry into the modes in which death was represented by the ancients. p. 198 of volume 10 of his works. There is a sharp controversial tone which takes off in my mind from the merit of this work. A theory especially requires moderation to sustain it, particularly one in a study admitted to be very uncertain. Lucretius to the end of the second book. A few letters of Bayle, a portion of Grimm and a tale of Hamilton finished the evening.