Cloudy and warm. Morning spent in study. Afternoon in riding. My boy John five years old this day. Evening at the Mansion.

Continued Mr. Locke p. 353–393. His idea of the moral relations and of the force of law is very surely degrading to the notion of human virtue. If it is the mere consequence of arbitrary distinctions of right and wrong then are we poor creatures enough. I think the original theory is shaken through the bad deduction thus made from it.

Mr. Brooks came from Boston to pay us a visit. And my father and he dined with us. After dinner I took him a long ride to Braintree and Weymouth. Evening at the other house. Lucretius also, Book 4. 100–302.

My boy John was a little unwell on this his fifth birth day. I repeat the feelings with grateful adoration which prompted my entry of last year.