Morning at the Office as usual. Occupied in my common avocations for the first hour. Mr. Plumer sent me down from New Hampshire my father’s MS. upon the Letter of the Confederates, which I received today.1 And as I had never read it, I sat down to do so but was interrupted by a request to meet Mr. Child at the Boylston Market which I immediately acceded to and went up there to see what came in my way as Clerk. He gave me up the Papers which I had deposited in their usual place excepting the Transfer book to be kept more conveniently at my Office. The arrangement of all the Accounts took me until one o’clock when I returned, and continued my Confederate Letter.

Afternoon pursued the same, and read a part of the second Oration against Verres which I admire exceedingly. It is a wonderful effort, displaying all the powers of which man is capable. It is by looking at such efforts as this that we wonder at the extent of his capacity. If there is any thing in this world which is calculated to display what man can do in perfection, it is probably to be found in the Orations of Cicero.

My Wife had gone to Medford and I was therefore able to extend my Evening. But I shall reserve my remarks upon my father’s letter until I finish it. Evening, Latin Grammar and the Tatler.