Morning cloudy with occasional rain. The weather altogether being more like May than October. Went to the Office where I had much 340conversation with Mr. T. Welsh about this business of New’s, and concluded that our best course would be to look up the heirs and see if they would do any thing to release us from our dilemma. I then had a good deal of Conversation with him about political affairs, in which we concluded that the nomination of Mr. Appleton was a tolerably poor concern, and not likely to go down among the Citizens.1 I have half a mind to try my pen against it, and went so far as to draw up an Article for the purpose.

Returned home. Found there Miss Abby Adams and after dinner Horatio Brooks arrived from Gibraltar by the way of New York.2 I read Cicero, finishing the first book de Inventione and beginning the second, the first passages of it are very pretty, and much more easy than the preceding book. Since we have returned from the Country, I have had more Company at my House than during all last Winter, and seem to promise to continue. However I like to have my Mother who keeps Abby company. Mr. Quincy came in and spent an hour of the evening, he was very pleasant. I sat up until quite late drawing up a little sketch of my proposed Article. Read my Numbers of the Tatler.

Morning at the Office. Occupied in writing my Journal, reading Minot and reflecting upon the business of the Election. Several little affairs took up some time, particularly some Commissions for my father which I was requested to execute, and attending a sale of Stocks for the purpose of attempting an investment for Thomas Adams. Things went however so high that I found the thing impossible. It is not a little surprising to me to see how high stocks run even now, and it shows an abundance of money existing unemployed.

Returned home and spent the afternoon as usual in reading Cicero a considerable portion of whose second book de Inventione I accomplished. It is more interesting than the other was. But I cannot help thinking that the reduction of all Oratory to method so clearly reduces somewhat it’s power. Cicero was certainly a master of his art, he shows it by the ease with which he handles all it’s parts, and by the 341regularity of the arrangement of his mind. He makes nearly mechanical what forms to others the hardest mental exertion.

After tea, I attended the Private Debating Society for the first time this Season. The meeting was small, and they discussed the question of the Rail Road. I took part in the Debate as usual and did not do quite as well as I ought to have done. Returned rather late.