The weather was rainy and unsettled during the morning and cleared off in the afternoon. My morning was not spent profitably. I wasted part at home, and at the Office found it much cut up. Deposited more money to the credit of my father, and gave orders for the binding of some of his books, after which I called at Hilliards in consequence of my father’s telling me he was the Author of the Chapters upon Greece in the Annual Register.1 Tried to read the first part of it upon the domestic History but progressed very little.

Gave orders today for the purchase of a quantity of Shingles in order to begin upon the repair of my Father’s Tenements which I have been meditating. I know of no time more favourable than the present, when I have funds which it is not likely I shall have again. I ordered the Nails and the lead and in this way expect I shall get through with this business very quickly.

After dinner I again began Aeschines for a final reading, and passed an hour in pasting my father’s Crest into his books, a necessary though not profitable work. Evening wasted doing nothing until nine when I read Logic, a little of Sir Joshua Reynolds and my continuation of Catalogue. A bright Aurora Borealis such as I never saw before.

A very fine day at last. At the Office after having gone down to see Hollis and the Houses which I propose to have shingled. Gave my directions about it but felt dissatisfied with Hollis. It is the very worst plan in the World to have a man pay his rent in work, for he charges just what he pleases and you can make no deduction. I propose by the close of this year to make a change unless this Hollis gets disposed to work differently, and to be more punctual in his payments. My present fear is that this one repair will bring on a great deal more.

Read a considerable portion of the Annual Register, particularly that which relates to Russia and Turkey. The style is that of my father, warm and brilliant. The views are his views, such as few other people think of holding. I am not sure that they are right, because with me every new question must be submitted to a process of reasoning before decision, but they certainly develope a state of things totally different from any previous idea of mine.

Returned home early because Mr. Brooks, and Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham were to dine here so as to go to Quincy.1 Miss Julia Gorham was here likewise. The dinner was pleasant because I begin to feel more at ease at the foot of my own table. They left me early and I passed the remainder of the day in reading Aeschines, continuing my Catalogue and concluding the trip to Flanders of Sir Joshua Reynolds.2 Evening, Logic, both the Oxford Elements and Hedge’s,3 after which the Article “Painting” in Elmes Dictionary of the Fine Arts.4

Morning fine and beginning to be quite warm. Went to the Office where I did very little owing to many interruptions. John Kirke, my father’s man came to me, for directions having brought in with him the horse I sent for and being about to take out the other, who has 259much recovered from his illness, and now promises to get well. He brought in a letter from my father with some commissions to perform,1 which I set about instantly. In the first place to get bottles for his Madeira, which I succeeded in doing though at what I thought a great price. I then went to buy some Porter and Ale which I thought I obtained low. Having finished this and bargained with Mr. Forbes about the hire of a Gig for the Summer which I obtained at a reasonable rate, I returned to the Office where I had a visit from my friend Briggs.2 He has not been to see me for a long time. Indeed he was not ever a particular intimate of mine. George loved him much. At College I knew him and when he was studying here. I was glad to see him, and to hear that he was succeeding well at his place of residence, Augusta in Maine. But I could not help a shade of moral speculation upon thinking of the change which had come over both of us since we last met, and poor George has ceased to live. Richardson came in afterwards for a short time and after him Mr. Curtis upon nothing in particular.

After dinner I started off with my Wife to Watertown to pay a visit to Edward Brooks and his Wife, and Gorham and his Wife who have returned and are established at the place of Mr. Shepherd.3 We had quite a pleasant time. Gorham Brooks was more civil to me than I had ever known him, but I shall never get over the first impression. He was guilty of no civility when I first came here and when I needed and felt grateful for attention.4 His wife is pleasing. After tea we rode to Medford where we found Mr. Frothingham and Mr. Stetson. Evening quiet.