Fine day. At home.

I was at home all day, reading Arthur Lee’s correspondence which is 273interesting and well written. Texier and Meissner’s Alcibiades, which last I got interested in more than was proper. The pictures drawn are rather too sensual. I believe I have had enough of the book and will take up something more useful.

Tacitus, the first twenty sections of the fragment of the eleventh book. The stultification of Claudius and the abominations of Messalina. From the death of Tiberius, this is a jump over the madness of Caligula, which must have afforded fine colours for the pencil of the historian. What is the secret of the power of this writer, that he can put a thought so briefly into bright light? I must try to analyze it for the sake of improving my defects of style.