Morning at the Office reading Kent. The weather quite warm which 248in the afternoon turned to a shower. I drove to Medford at one o’clock. Found the family tolerably well, and enlarged with the presence of Chardon and his wife, again. Had some conversation with Abby which gave room for reflection. Then took a ride with her round the woods, stopping at Mrs. Hall’s, her Aunt’s, to take tea. This was a long promised visit and very well accomplished. They are people unfortunate in the world and grown rather rustic, the consequence of which is that they feel sensitive about attentions. But I prefer unassuming sense to impertinent nonsense, and so it was no exertion on my part to make this visit. Returned before ten.

Morning pleasant. I was oppressed with a fit of dullness and low spirits. How much my temper and disposition changes by circumstances. Returned to town alone. At the Office. Found a letter from my Mother1 which was extremely dull and pained me considerably. Another from my father in a pleasant and confiding tone. He invariably intimates however his disposition to suppose me a political man, a course which only strong circumstances could induce me to pursue.2 Read Kent. Afternoon, Executive Record. Went to hear the Sheriff of the County deliver a Lecture in the Court room upon the difference in the duties of an English and an American Sheriff.3 An amusing if not useful production. The bar generally were present. It was a voluntary on his part and caused peals of laughter. In the evening, took a walk in the Mall. The weather was warm and evening very beautiful.

Continuation of fine weather to pay us for our rainy month. Morning at the Office reading Kent’s Commentaries and examining the doctrine of Calvin’s case, in Coke’s reports and a case in Cowper, in order to reply to the last letter of my father.1 Tolerably occupied. Afternoon, Executive Record, finished my Novel and was engaged in arranging my documents of the last Session. Evening, a walk around the Common, moon very brilliant.