Abby was better this morning and I returned to town over the same wild track shortly after breakfast. Morning occupied in reading Blackstone. Afternoon in copying as usual. Went to the Theatre in 204Federal Street in the evening and saw the Tragedy of Venice preserved. The House was very thin and hardly encouraging to the Actors. Mrs. Sloman performed Belvidera; her acting is decidedly good, although not so supremely powerful as one would suppose a first rate to be.1 She was entirely unsupported by the other characters. This play is capable of great dramatic effect although somewhat defective in it’s plot. And it undoubtedly is calculated strongly to excite the feelings. The little Opera Farce of Brother and Sister closed the Performance.2 Keene sung much in his usual style. I was shocked by the small number in the House.

Wrote a letter to my Father before breakfast and copied it afterwards. Received one from him also which should have come yesterday. A very pleasant one. Morning occupied reading Blackstone. Afternoon in Copying, then a walk and Evening in reading Middleton and copying Executive Record, thus going through quite a studious day.

Arose early and read this morning some public Documents in relation to the question of Internal Improvements. Went to the Office and read Blackstone. In the afternoon I copied as usual and begin at length to see the end to this business. The weather has again changed and the ground covered with snow. Went to the Theatre this evening and saw Mrs. Sloman in the part of Jane Shore.1 I was tempted as the Play was one I had never seen and she is a good performer. I say good for I was not entirely pleased with her performance. She overlooked some passages of considerable bearing and she was not up to the most sublime but her conception was, notwithstanding, generally correct, her enunciation forcible. She is capable as far as she goes, and although she does not rival the lofty passion for which Mrs. Siddons2 has rendered herself so famous, yet it is a gratification to find in her many excellent qualities amidst the shocking barrenness of the rest of our Actors. A little interlude called Love in humble life,3 and Patrick, the Poor Soldier, closed the Scene. I have seen it often and Keene himself in the part.