Returned to Boston, rather late and passed the morning, or rather 336what remained of it, in reading Law. Afternoon, Adam Smith upon the Value of Silver. The day was pleasant. In the evening, Mr. Tarbell had Company and in compliment to him, I was present during the evening. The party consisted of persons in the second rank in life in this City, being merchants and professional men of respectability. I made some acquaintances and attempted to make myself tolerably agreeable, as in commencing my career in Boston, I feel as if much might depend upon my course. For I fear, I shall fail.

Morning at the Office. Received at last a letter from my Father with a remittance. There was not in it exactly what I expected. Although in noticing my allusion he made some kind of apology, yet it was not so kind as I expected after so long a silence. He attempts also to make me in the wrong, when I believe myself entirely right, or at any rate when I still feel as if I had suffered from his harshness.1 The larger part of his letter was upon other subjects. I read, but very loosely, and on the whole both morning and afternoon were not passed profitably owing to the difficulty which I found in fixing my thoughts. Evening, occupied in reading Mr. Boswell.

Morning at the Office, engaged in writing a reply to my father’s last letter. I touched upon the topic so sore between us; perhaps I said too much, but I could not avoid expressing my feeling at any hasard.1 The tone was very subdued. I then discussed other matters of politics. Afternoon, much interested in a Chapter of Adam Smith upon the Banking System, which gave me many new notions. Evening, Mr. Boswell who is still interesting, although one’s opinion of him diminishes as we go along, and Mr. Otis upon the Hartford Convention, whose reasoning is rather specious than solid.2