The dark, cold, and gloomy weather continues. We returned to town this morning, and I passed the morning at the Office. Received a letter from my father in reply to my Quarterly Account and otherwise containing nothing material.1 Mr. Farrar the brother of my Father’s Quincy Tenant called and requested some Garden seeds to begin 212with the place at Quincy, which I provided him with.2 I obtained a large collection and hope now to be able fully to furnish the family with vegetables for the whole Summer. My time was so short and so cut up that I was unable to make any progress in Marshall, and on the whole felt dissatisfied. Mr. Forbes called and I paid him his very moderate bill, for the past quarter.3 Returning home I was occupied in framing and beginning to execute the plan of an Essay which I have in my head upon the early History of the Country. I do not know whether it is not beyond my grasp, but at any rate I will try. I thought over the matter and only lament my want of preparation. The whole afternoon was passed in this manner. The Evening was occupied in reading Eustace to my Wife who was much pleased with the account of Rome. After which I passed some time in reading Hutchinson over to compare with Robertson.4

Morning again gloomy and cold, with rain and snow. I went to the Office as usual and received a letter from my father upon miscellaneous subjects which was quite interesting.1 The rest of the time was passed in reading Marshall, the fifth volume of which I finished. It has refreshed my memory upon the principal matters relating to the Administration of Genl. Washington, a period of history which is becoming every day more interesting and important. But it has dissatisfied me more with a work which is miserably poor in reflection, and withal carries with it no slight evidence of the feelings of party, and the hurry of agitated writing. But my pursuit of the earlier portion of our History engrosses me now infinitely more, and I intend to carry it on more fully in future.2

My time was entirely at my own disposal and I did little or nothing, my books not being here. I looked over my brother George’s papers to see what was to be done with Mr. Whitney’s claim, but could make nothing of it. Afternoon passed in thinking and writing. But to me it is exceedingly hard to do the latter and I try over and over again. I did begin in earnest today and am resolved now, to intermit as little as 213possible. Evening, Eustace to my Wife and the enthusiastic description of Rome—After which, the second volume of my father’s Lectures.