Morning fine. I arose early and enjoyed the pleasure of the air, in going to take a bath on the Charles river. This early rising in summer is pleasant but it requires an effort to become sensible of it. 390I returned to breakfast feeling fresh and cool. At the Office, attended Court and heard the commencement of an argument in the case of the heirs of Hubbard against Mr. Brooks. This case involves a very large amount and charges fraudulent concealments on the part of Mr. Brooks which I regretted exceedingly being present to hear. The nature of the case was entirely unexpected to me and I repented being present as my feelings could not bear it. I shall not go again even if the eloquence was ever so tempting. The case strikes me as a very hard and a very unjust suit to obtain money of a rich man upon an obsolete claim.1 In the afternoon, I amused myself with reading Scott’s Lives of Smollet and Cumberland. They are light, airy and superficial like every thing else of his. My father is now in New York. Evening, a walk. A most magnificent night and the panorama of the Common singularly striking.

Poor George has been buried at East Chester with all possible marks of respect.2 I feel now more disposed to look with melancholy upon his fate. Although I cannot come to the conclusion that he would have lived to give us much gratification, yet the peculiarities of his character, the pleasant kindness of his nature, and the light yet ornamental cultivation of his mind have often afforded me moments of great pleasure. He might have been a distinguished man had God granted him firmness of character. He was a lively and pleasant companion, and a kind heart.

Morning fine. I arose early and took a Bath though the water was low and not very pleasant. Then at the Office. Passed some time in writing my Index and then went to Dr. Welsh’s for some books I wanted to read. Conversation with Harriet Welsh. She is a little too officious. I then went and made a call upon Julia Gorham whom I 391have not seen since the death of her father. She looks poorly and seems out of spirits. The remainder of the morning passed in studying law. Starkie on Evidence. In the afternoon, I commenced Bishop Burnet’s History of his own Times,1 as a continuation of Clarendon. Read also some biographies by Scott, of Sterne, Goldsmith, Johnson and Mackenzie. This with a few numbers of the Spectator passed the time. Received a short letter from John2 at New York stating their case, and that they would arrive tomorrow. He is surprised I did not write which is absurd, for I could do nothing without instructions. After tea, I took a walk. Evening cloudy, and I felt unusually fatigued.