Foggy and damp though warm. Exercises as usual. Dine and evening at the Mansion.

I read Herschel’s Astronomy pretty steadily during all the leisure time I had from the usual course of things on this day.

After the period given to my daughter I attended divine service and heard Dr. Parkman preach in the morning from Philippians 2. 3. “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Upon humility and from 1 Corinthians 15. 33. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” Upon the danger of accidental intercourse with ill principled men. Dr. Parkman has much good sense often wrapped in strange covers. I dined at my fathers with him, although suffering from a cold and hoarseness which I have acquired I scarce know how.

Read another sermon of Seed’s from Proverbs 18. 1. “Through desire, a man having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with wisdom.” Upon the early pursuit of wisdom, a discourse not merely marked with strong direct sense but also with extraordinary beauty of images and diction. I must be allowed here to express my opinion that these two sermons of Seed’s which I have read are far superior to all the rest of those combined in the English Preacher so far as I have yet gone. I wonder I have not heard more of them. Evening, Mr. Beale and his son here for an hour after which we were at the Mansion.