Another fine day which I hope my Mother will be induced to improve, and thus take her out of the reach of our bad weather hereafter. According to my calculations she will reach Stafford Springs tonight.1 376I attended divine service all day, while my Wife went with her brother Chardon to Watertown and Medford. Heard Mr. Frothingham in the morning and Mr. Motte in the afternoon, but neither of them were interesting enough to excite my attention. The latter is infinitely stupid. His manner is absurd, his matter, bad taste. I do not know a poorer Preacher in Boston.

I pursued my occupations very quietly in my study all day. Read a portion of Mr. Drake’s sketch of Addison. Mr. Drake is a pleasant second hand Writer. His own thoughts are worth little, his compilations are in good taste and well selected to illustrate his subject. Proceeded with my Catalogue, and read a little of Enfield’s History of Philosophy2 in order to obtain a clearer idea of the Grecian Schools before passing to Cicero’s Philosophical Works. My Wife was so fatigued with her ride that she retired early. E. Quincy called upon a short visit. I read the larger part of Addison’s Critique upon Paradise Lost having finished my Review of the Twelfth Book last night. Two Numbers of the Tatler.